Environment and agriculture : Opportunities abroad

What are my chances of getting a job overseas?

The environmental and agriculture sector is a global industry with job opportunities throughout the world. In agriculture, in particular, expanding global markets have led to new business and logistics challenges and the development of new technologies and competitive products. This, in turn, has led to new opportunities for qualified people.

People with agricultural and environmental skills are also needed on overseas projects to provide clean drinking water and sustainable farming techniques.

Will my qualifications be recognised?

• UK environmental and agricultural graduate skills are highly transferable worldwide, and non-UK companies generally look positively on applications from UK graduates.
• Some countries favour graduates who hold at least a Masters qualification. Research the country you are in interested in using the country profiles.
• Although English may be useful and acceptable at the outset, host country language skills are regarded as being essential for effective communication with colleagues from varied backgrounds. For vacation work, English may well be sufficient.
• The internet allows increased access to learning so that study and continuing professional development (CPD) can be carried out by distance learning from any location.

Where are the opportunities?

There are a number of large companies with overseas branches that recruit graduates. These include:

• Bayer and its sub-group Bayer CropScience.
• Monsanto - US-based company with international opportunities in agribusiness.
• MWH - global engineering and environmental services with opportunities for engineering and environmental graduates in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
• Peter Brett Associates - consultancy for sustainable development projects in contaminated land, conservation and waste management worldwide.
• White Young Green Consultancy - environmental posts in UK, Ireland and overseas, recruiting from a wide range of disciplines.

Placements are possible in overseas branches of UK companies, particularly in environmental services and horticulture, for example:

• G’s Marketing - management schemes for horticultural production, growing/harvesting and related commercial areas in Spain.
• Management Development Services (MDS) - secondments overseas for graduates of all disciplines interested in the fresh food and produce industry.

Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) often have overseas connections. The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust , for example, works worldwide and has Wetland Link International (WLI) education centres based around the world.

The following are examples of organisations with voluntary opportunities abroad, useful either for a gap year or during the summer vacation:

• Agriventure - run by the International Agricultural Exchange Association (IAEA). Farm work placements in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA and Japan.
• Concordia International Volunteers - agricultural and environmental projects overseas.
• Earthwatch - conservation expeditions and research opportunities worldwide.
• Experience International - opportunities in agriculture, forestry, fisheries and natural resource management in the USA.
• International Exchange Program UK - environment and land-based placements overseas.
• Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) - operates in over 40 of the most disadvantaged countries. Opportunities are available in areas relating to animals and natural resources. Relevant experience in usually required to take part in projects.
• World-Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) - voluntary work on organic farms and the opportunity to learn about sustainable ways of living.