Understanding Barriers as New Professionals – Environmental and Engineering Industries

This course will delve into systemic barriers that emerging professionals in the environmental and engineering sectors may encounter. It aims to offer techniques and solutions to help you successfully overcome these challenges.

Topics include:

• Career Development.
• Effective Communication.
• Navigating the Workplace.
• Empowering Yourself and Those Around You.

This course is ideal for:

• Recently graduated students seeking their first environmental role.
• Junior to mid-level environmental professionals seeking to advance or transition into a new role.

Course Objective:

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

1. Successfully navigate professional conversations, such as performance reviews and advancement opportunities, using self-advocating skills that highlight your value to an employer.
2. Utilise conflict management techniques and clear communication to give and receive feedback and to defuse disagreements equitably.
3. Identify areas where educational and professional environments differ and successfully transition from a post-secondary to a professional working environment.
4. Positively meet workplace barriers such as unconscious bias or discrimination using confidence-building skills, amplification methods, and self-advocacy techniques.

Course Overview:

1. Course Objectives

• What’s in it for you?

2. Career Development

• Employment Opportunities Challenges
• What are your thoughts?
• Overcoming Employment Challenges
• Performance Success
• Performance Management Conversation Tips
• Test Your Knowledge
• What hinders Professional Development for Emerging Professionals?

3. Effective Communication

• Scenario: Handling Disagreements
• Receiving and Giving Feedback
• Overcoming the Learning Curve

4. Navigating the Workplace

• Diversity of Thought
• Diversity of Thoughts Tips
• Expertise
• Finding your People

5. Empowering Yourself and Those Around You

• Combating Interruptions
• Amplifying your Workmates’ Voices
• Self-advocating

6. Conclusion

• Conclusion
• Additional Resources