Program Overview

As an Environmental Management graduate, you’ll work with decision-makers, governments, and large businesses, making a practical contribution to addressing environmental problems in New Zealand and overseas.

By studying Environmental Management you’ll gain a comprehensive and flexible qualification. The course will develop a wide range of research, analysis, communication and computing skills, and prepare you to take advantage of the numerous career pathways in Environmental Management.

Environmental Management skills are in demand around the world. In New Zealand, Environmental Management has been given an enormous boost as a career option with the introduction of some major pieces of legislation, in particular the Resource Management Act, the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act, and the Biosecurity Act. And there are plenty of opportunities to practise overseas, as long as you familiarize yourself with the local statutory requirements.

Many large companies now employ Environmental Management staff to work directly with their other staff, and to deal with local and central government. Those with overseas operations will need personnel with an international perspective in their training, something emphasised in the Otago course.

Many export companies now need environmental accreditation in order to secure markets in Europe, Japan, North America and elsewhere. Helping companies meet the requirements of such accreditation and certification schemes will be a major employment opportunity in coming years.

There is now a very large environmental consulting sector, contracting to private and public sector organisations. This kind of work tends to have plenty of variety, not to mention opportunities for travel.

There is always high demand in this area for graduates with a thorough understanding of the new environmental management scene backed up by specific scientific skills.