Case studies : Customer relationship manager: Ben

Ben graduated in Environmental Science. He met his current employer at a climate change conference and would encourgage any jobseeker to get involved in societies and clubs to develop contacts.

Ben graduated with a BSc in Environmental Science in 2006 and spent his first year after university working, among other things, for a contaminated land remediation company. He was looking for a way to use his environmental knowledge, combined with his building background, to create more efficient, comfortable homes for people to live in and reduce their carbon footprint. Ben came across his current employer, who does just that, at a climate change conference in London.

Ben’s degree in environmental science equipped him with a broad range of knowledge about the various problems facing us right now, how the problems have come about and possible solutions. Ben has knowledge of how the different systems in nature work and an informed understanding about the current environmental issues and concerns.

At university he was a student representative and treasurer of the Environmental Society. Both of these roles meant he got to see how organisations worked, how to get things done by being proactive and increased his passion for pushing for positive change in society. The Environmental Society especially enabled him to meet people with similar interests and he is still involved with direct action movements.

After finding the company at a climate change event, he rang up to have a chat, sent in a CV and covering letter and was then called for interview. He loves his job. 'I love working with people who are passionate about what they do and helping homeowners who know nothing about what they can do, but are really eager to learn. The more energy efficiency measures that they do, the more they get excited about doing more, and pass the information on to their friends... Also helping develop future government policy as to how we can further help people reduce their carbon footprints. Fantastic.'

Ben’s advice to current students is to 'get involved in societies, clubs, university roles as it is the best thing to do to gain networking skills, develop contacts, be inspired and do something you are passionate about.' He believes that you could easily waste your three years and suggests getting volunteering or placement work during vacations rather than bar work. 'Keep up to date with issues in the outside world as there is so much going on and it could be really helpful to your job search.'

He loves his job at the moment and feels that if we still live in a comfortable society in 30 years' time then he will have done his job.