Circular Online speaks to CIWM’s team of Early Career Ambassadors about their career journeys in the resources and waste sector.
How do careers in resources, waste and the circular economy really begin? There isn’t a degree in recycling, everyone’s journey is different; whether it’s an academic pathway or an entry-level operational role at the coalface of the sector.
To understand more, Circular Online spoke with the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management’s (CIWM) early careers ambassadors about their vastly different career pathways.
“If I’m honest, I had absolutely no idea what I wanted to do!”
“When deciding to go to university, I picked a degree in Physical Geography as it was the subject I enjoyed most at school, and I was fascinated by the environment and processes that shaped the landscape I loved. As well as having the bonus of field trips!” Charlotte Davies, CIWM Early Careers President, told us.
“If I’m honest, I had absolutely no idea what I wanted to do!” Davies confessed. “My degree and love for the outdoors did, however, ignite my passion for the environment and combating climate change, which has been fundamental to my journey.”
Davies graduated in 2021 but was still none the wiser about what her professional future looked like, and, by her own admission, fell into the industry through a Beyondly account manager/data analyst role after being recommended by a friend.
“Through the packaging compliance data analyst role, I became more interested in packaging types, materials and the recycling processes, allowing involvement and engagement with projects outside of my normal job role, leading to progression into the consultancy team.”
Now a Senior Consultant in Resource Efficiency and Circularity, Davies explained how she feels fortunate that Beyondly has allowed her role to evolve to where she is now developing and delivering resource- and waste-focused services for businesses and organisations.
“As I have got more involved with the sector, I joined CIWM and became the first Early Careers President, which has continued to support my career progress through networking, skill development and knowledge growth.”
“In June, I will take on the Early Career President role, and I am excited to see what additional opportunities it will bring!”
CIWM recently announced that Emma Mulligan, Senior Waste Consultant at WSP, would become the second Early Careers President at the presidential inauguration in June.
When selecting their university course, Mulligan opted for a year in industry and applied to Norfolk County Council, where she gained skills on-site as well as in the office.
“I knew I wanted to work in waste following my work experience in the Closed Landfill Team, and therefore, after graduating from the University of East Anglia with a First Class degree in Environmental Science (BSc), I applied for a graduate waste consultant role with AECOM, a large global consultancy,” Mulligan told us.
“I spent two years at AECOM on their graduate programme, working in the Built Environment Waste Team in London before deciding that I wanted to expand my skills beyond the Built Environment.”
“I was fortunate enough to accept a role with Capita Real Estate and Infrastructure (REI) as a Waste Consultant, where I expanded my skills further to include waste facility design and through acquisition of Capita REI by WSP, I have been given the opportunity to work on an even greater range of projects.”
I began helping the CIWM London and Southern Counties Professional Development Network during my time at AECOM, and since moving to Capita REI (then WSP), I have moved into an elected Regional Committee Member position at London and Southern Counties, as well as being fortunate enough to start as an Early Careers Ambassador.”
“In June 2026, I will take on the Early Career President role, and I am excited to see what additional opportunities it will bring!”
“I had always been interested in recycling and waste, but you can’t do a degree in it!”
“I had always been interested in recycling and waste, but you can’t do a degree in it!” Bonni Jee, Principal Advisor, Association for Public Service Excellence, said.
“As a student studying Natural Sciences at Nottingham, I led on recycling campaigns at the students’ union, keeping recycling on the agenda during an era of climate emergencies and zero plastic campaigns! I then completed a Master’s in Environmental Policy at Cambridge, where I continued to take part in sustainability campaigns at my college.”
Jee’s first job after graduating was on the frontline as a Recycling Advisor at Kirklees Council, delivering doorstep education campaigns and monitoring recycling rounds.
“Being at the coalface allowed me to develop my communication skills and see the issues on the ground. Admittedly, I hadn’t done the ‘usual’ student jobs working part-time in say retail or hospitality, so gaining this frontline experience of customer service, in an area I was passionate about, was invaluable,” Jee explained.
“I then worked on climate change projects at the council, before moving to consultancy as a Waste Consultant at Mott MacDonald. There, I got to work on waste strategies for clients in the UK and abroad, honing my report-writing and presentation skills, and joined CIWM and the Early Careers Ambassador Scheme. “
“In 2025, I made the switch back to local authorities, now working for a not-for-profit membership organisation (APSE) supporting them with all things best practice in waste and recycling.”
“It is a really rewarding role blending my consultancy experience with my interest in local authorities and passion for public services, helping councils succeed, sharing best practice in the sector, organising seminars and webinars, and representing them when engaging with government bodies.”
“Like so many people in our sector, the waste industry just sprang up from nowhere, but from the minute I entered, I was hooked!”
After completing a degree in Geography at the University of Chester, Laura Fisher, re3 Contract Operations Manager, FCC Environment, says she was trying to figure out what she wanted to do in her working life.
“I didn’t really know what I wanted to do; all I knew was I wanted a job where I could make a difference!” Fisher told Circular Online.
“Like so many people in our sector, the waste industry just sprang up from nowhere, but from the minute I entered, I was hooked! I joined FCC Environment as a Graduate Operations Manager for 18 months and found something I was passionate about.”
“I worked across the UK on several waste sites, learning how council contracts operate and gaining experience of Household Waste Recycling Centres, Material Recycling Facilities and Transfer Stations.”
“After completing my Graduate Scheme with FCC Environment, I was offered the role of MRF Supervisor at one of the largest contracts in FCC Environment. Managing the MRF gave me an excitement for the industry and fuelled my interest in AI and how it can be used within the waste sector to make operations safer and more efficient.”
“From there, I worked my way up to Contract Operations Manager, which is my current role. I work directly with our council clients to ensure we are working together to provide the local residents with the best service possible while keeping the environment at the heart of all we do.”
“I used to roll my eyes at ‘networking’ without realising that I wouldn’t be in this role that I love without it.”
“I began my career in the waste sector in 2019, starting with a summer placement during university, at Bath and North East Somerset Council,” Khadeeja Osman, Sustainability and Engagement Lead, Bristol Waste Company, explained.
“I applied for the role simply because it sounded interesting and felt more closely linked to my interests than my retail job at the time. During that placement, I was introduced to the fascinating world of waste, which quickly sparked a genuine interest.”
After completing her placement and graduating, Osman moved to Bristol and secured a role as a Waste Minimisation Officer at South Gloucestershire Council, which she says allowed her to develop her skills and sector knowledge.
“When my current role at Bristol Waste came up, it felt like a natural next step in my career progression – one that has allowed me to continue to build on that initial interest and continue growing professionally. Bristol is a city very close to my heart, so being able to give back in a meaningful way through my work is so rewarding.”
“A key factor in getting to where I am today has been making the most of connections. I used to roll my eyes at ‘networking’ without realising that I wouldn’t be in this role that I love without it.”
“Seizing opportunities, reaching out to people in the sector, showing up and expanding your knowledge can open unexpected doors. You never know where it might take you!”
“I was keen to enter a sector that tied with themes of sustainability and the environment, to align with my degree interests.”
After graduating from the University of Bristol with a degree in Geography Tabitha Skeats, began a career in the waste sector as a Graduate Management Trainee at FCC Environment.
“I was keen to enter a sector that tied with themes of sustainability and the environment, to align with my degree interests,” Skeats, now Consents Assistant at FCC Environment, told us.
“During the 18-month programme, I was based within the Estates Team, where I worked on planning and permitting projects to support our business operations. The Graduate Scheme gave me the opportunity to explore all sectors of the waste industry and opened my eyes to its complexity!”
“Alongside the Graduate programme, I began a position as an Early Careers Ambassador at CIWM. This position has been a great opportunity to learn about other stakeholders in the waste industry and broaden my network.”
“Following the end of my Graduate scheme, I was keen to continue to develop my skills in planning and permitting and general awareness of the waste sector. I was successful in achieving a permanent position in the Estates department as a Consents Assistant for the South region. I look forward to hopefully continuing to progress in a career in the waste sector!”
“As an Early Career Ambassador for the CIWM, my interest in waste, recycling, and sustainability has not only become academic or professional but a personal mission…”
“My professional journey has always been rooted in waste valorisation and sustainability, and I have been working in waste management since my master’s research,” Dr Sadish Oumabady, Research Fellow, Queen’s University Belfast, said.
“With a strong foundation in environmental science and sustainability, I am currently a postdoctoral researcher in the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, QUB, focusing on circular economy strategies, particularly material recovery technologies to innovate e-waste management in Malaysia.”
“My previous research focused on the end-of-waste criteria in reusing Anaerobic Digestate Biochar in concrete manufacturing. My research valorised agricultural waste, reduced environmental pollution, and helped to decarbonise the construction sector by developing local solutions that can reduce the UK’s dependency on global material imports.”
“During my doctoral research, supported by a prestigious Commonwealth Scholarship, I explored applications of agro-waste in energy production, nutrient recovery, and carbon sequestration, and this helped me to present a waste management strategy to the government organisations.”
“I have authored over a dozen peer-reviewed publications and contributed to cross-collaborative case studies, such as those featured in Circular Online, demonstrating my ability to bridge academic excellence with real-world impact.”
“As an Early Career Ambassador for the CIWM, my interest in waste, recycling, and sustainability has not only become academic or professional but a personal mission to create systems that value resources, minimise hazard, and empower communities.”
