Obstáculos profesionales en ciencias biológicas y ambientales: Una visión general completa

Things That Are Not Taught That Environmental Professionals Should Know

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Speaking of retirement and professional experiences, the question arose: What are the most relevant points or aspects in which environmental professionals fail or make mistakes? The answer has already taken me several months.

Since my time as a university professor, I have been collecting points of interest on environmental issues, experiences of career support, consultations on technical aspects and the results of specific work carried out for multinational entities and government entities. There are more than 45 years of notes on which I hoped to develop a PhD at the University of Calgary under the direction of Professor Dixon Thompson for the continuation of his book "Tools for Environmental Management". Unfortunately, Dixon passed away the same month I arrived in Canada.

These relevant points are both about the professional career and the work or professional practice that in terms of the standards of the "International Standards Organization" are opportunities for improvement. I hope to be able to write about them so that professionals in the area can take them into account or contradict them. It is unlikely to include them in academic studies because they are particular observations that are not very systematic despite their usefulness. These points can serve as a basis for the development of academic studies, undergraduate or postgraduate theses or possible conferences. I can support the development of these points with suggestions or develop specific points for conferences if a support entity or stakeholder group is found. Likewise, if anyone finds similar or conflicting observations, I would like to know them.

Career aspects are a large part of the questions received, especially about the uncertainty of developing a broad career with reasonable income and adequate social recognition. This is partly due to the lack of knowledge of the career in environmental issues when studies begin and the need to create it step by step. Personally, due to lack of anyone to ask, I made many of the mistakes that years later other professionals have consulted or commented on. Personally, I am weighed down by the errors of the strategy of the personal development of the career, such as seeking the development of the PH.D. too late.

To start the specific topic, I have been able to clarify that there are three principles to always keep in mind when working on environmental issues:

1-        1-  All environmental activities and projects must have precise objectives and the tasks must: a) be concrete, with specific procedures and methodologies, b) have clear goals with measurable compliance parameters, c) be on schedule with precise dates, d) be clear in concrete budget items, e) have assigned to adequate professionals, f) be in the quality and compliance system; and finally, g) be under a high-level manager or director in the project organization.

 

2-     2-  The environmental sector is an economic activity driven by regulation. This regulation is often presented in a very specific and restrictive manner. Regulators have many levels to be served, from supranational organizations and their entities with international agreements and treaties, through the constitutions and laws of each country, and territorial administrative units, to the technological authorities of guilds and those of international standards of standardization and quality. Finally, there are the contracts that are laws between the signatory parties and that implies having the internal regulations of each company. There are more than thirty regulatory levels that must be addressed in detail.  Under these conditions, issues of legal risks related to the environment become important for investors, especially those driven by communities, insurance companies and government officials. In the event of an incident, insurance companies will review these thirty levels to determine ignorance, negligence or underestimation of risks and costs, especially in the unforeseen events and risks generated by the externalities of the project. For this reason, every project must also comply with the Uncertainty Principle, the Due Diligence Principle and the Best  Available Technology Economically Achievable (BATEA) Principle. For investors, this makes environmental issues belong to the area of Asset Protection since investors must protect the investment from unforeseen events and potential errors incurred by the project. The most uncomfortable counterparties for investors in their order are: insurers, followed by communities and finally government offices. The failure to contemplate the regulatory aspects is the only thing that can stop an investment project; everything else is manageable if there is adequate profitability. Finally, all projects are designed to be approved and built, which is often ignored by environmental authorities, local communities, and pressure groups opposed to the project.

 

3-      3-  Most mistakes are made in the precision and use of concepts. And this is not only in the concepts of the environmental area, but also in concepts of basic knowledge. For example, it is often forgotten that environmental issues are different from ecology issues. The former are technology topics while the latter are science topics and the approaches differ. It also happens with concepts of professional career development. Among the professional aspects that require the most clarity is the very complex point of the specific skills and knowledge necessary for the good development of the profession. In English, this concept of the concrete ability to do and have results is called "skill". For example, in Spanish, the concept of skill becomes diffuse when it is extended between the concepts of ability, dexterity, experience,  applied knowledge and “ganas”.

 

The skills required are a complex subject, but studying them has been enormously interesting. In general, social skills are called soft even though they are the most complex to learn, apply and have results; The hard skills are the technological ones. But at the same time, they also call them major skills and minor skills. Major skills are those applicable specifically to professional or work issues, while minor skills are those of daily life. From these, I have gathered hundreds of observations over the years.

Get ready printer, paper and pencil and below I leave you the list of minor skills. Not having them generates imbalances, maladaptation and cost overruns. It would be helpful to know if you know all these skills required by daily life. Feel free to distribute them citing the source and write to me if you have questions.

 

Minor skills in environmental issues: Things you need to know to work, migrate or pursue advanced studies in another country.

These are the "HOW-TO" questions that must be known and mastered when changing place of residence and local culture if you want to avoid long, costly and often painful learning. The list comes from dozens of professionals, migrants and international students with whom I have interacted over time. The list is not short and is not in alphabetical order.

Please give it a read and highlight the ones you already know and look for the ones you need when you are considering changing jobs, cities or studying or moving out of town. And if you have already studied abroad or have migrated for work reasons, share the list with those who are starting or are in the middle of their professional career.

Keep in mind that there is a fundamental difference between migrants who leave to study and work and expatriates. Expats have a facilitation structure provided by the company and the country that invites them to work to avoid much of the "how to" that consumes emotional and physical energy, and spends much of the time of the migrants' first months for study and work.

Many of the cases of conflict that I have heard and helped are due to the emotional overload generated by these "how-to" questions. Likewise, many of the migrants have not yet solved all these points, and likewise, several of these points are not required by urban migrants. My area of work has been field biology and environmental issues.

The following list contains skills considered by authors on the subject of labor as minor, or soft, or current skills necessary to perform normally. However, some of the skills are not at all soft, such as negotiating working hours and closing deals that vary from city to city and sector to sector.

The following is the list for you to explore, fix, communicate, and be surprised:

1. How to open a checking bank account to obtain banking services, bill payment and taxes by direct discount, automatic discount savings, credit card, local and international bank transfers, and other special services

2. How to access or request health services

3. How to accept a compliment clearly and sincerely

4. How to approach a pet, farm animal, or pack animal (oxen, cows, horses, dogs, cats, etc.)

5. How to approach or avoid wild animals (deer, moose, kangaroos, etc.), or dangerous animals (snakes, scorpions, etc.) And what to do with annoying animals (wasps, skunks, etc.)

6. How to update and homologate skills, studies, work experiences and degrees

7. How to update, change and protect computer passwords and software used in organizations and companies

8. How to fix a flat tire on a car, a bicycle, or a motorcycle; or how to change one of those tires

9. How to assign priorities

10. How to change a common light bulb, household appliances, vehicles, frequent equipment in your work area, technical and scientific equipment

11. How to close a deal

12. How to cook healthy dishes

13. How to hang something on a wall

14. How to eat for health, study, work, and during fieldwork and research

15. How to behave with a good sex education appropriate to their new social, cultural and religious environment

16. How to behave in public and private, professional and governmental instances

17. How to buy online, maximizing quality, minimizing risks and prices

18. How to buy and store groceries, dairy, and meats

19. How to check a smoke and fire alarm and what to do when it goes off

20. How to check a carbon monoxide alarm, and likewise, what to do when it goes off

21. How to fall asleep quickly at night, in a short break from fieldwork, and even how to do it in the fifteen minutes of nap in a tiring workday

22. How to keep food for a long time in the fridge

23. How to create cash flow tables and how to check them (cash flow table) by adjusting decisions to actual cash flow for both personal expenses and work and project expenses

24. How to create a personal budget, how to follow it and how to adjust it to real resources and actual cash flow and proceed the same with project and work expenses

25. How to tip and appreciate good service following local custom

26. How to give a sincere compliment

27. How to give and obtain social outreach and sexual consent

28. How to give and receive clear, practical, and candid feedback

29. How to report an intrusion or incident at a police station

30. How to spot stupid behaviours

31. How to spot fake news

32. How to apologize sincerely and effectively

33. How to get eight hours of sleep every night

34. How to exercise freedom of expression and other fundamental rights without intolerance, excessive zeal, or falling into victimhood

35. How to type on the keyboard with all your fingers and use the numeric keypad with all your fingers

36. How to write a clear, compelling, and winning resume and cover letter

37. How to avoid improper food and how to manage its consequences

38. How to avoid the spread of diseases caused by viruses and bacteria

39. How to avoid getting sick with internal parasites

40. How to avoid getting infested with ticks, fleas, lice, and other ectoparasites

41. How to avoid local dangerous animals and what to do if you encounter them

42. How to examine plumbing problems, including unclogging a drain or toilet to talk to the plumber

43. How to examine software or application issues to talk to it

44. How to build trust

45. How to exercise and maintain muscle tone

46. How to track your income and expense money

47. How to back up your computer files

48. How to make small talk and carry on a conversation in the local language

49. How to make an effective complaint or claim

50. How to identify business scams and stay away from them

51. How to identify and avoid internet scams

52. How to identify financial lies, false opportunities, and pyramids, and how to avoid them

53. How to identify your cultural, personal, and ideological biases to stay away from them

54. How to identify unhealthy situations due to moulds, insects, rodents, and related health problems

55. How to inspect a stranded car to communicate with the mechanic and towing service

56. How to inspect a broken appliance for warranty or explain the damage to a service provider

57. How to wash clothes

58. How to read timelines, schedules, and timetables

59. How to read flowcharts

60. How to read financial statements

61. How to read statistical graphs and understand the main variables

62. How to read food labels

63. How to read chemical and lab labels

64. How to read the regulations and codices to follow in your profession and work

65. How to read chemical and pesticide safety pages, and how to follow them

66. How to handle controversial topics in politics, religion, and sports

67. How to maintain car and other expensive equipment

68. How to maintain or increase home value

69. How to maintain houseplants and do small gardening

70. How to keep your work area tidy, clean, and safe

71. How to maintain your health

72. How to maintain and raise your credit score

73. How to measure the size of underwear, especially the bra and get the most suitable for the work and activity to be carried out (women)

74. How to measure the size of your clothing, hats, gloves, coats, and sportswear and workwear

75. How to measure your underwear, the type required, and how to wear it (men)

76. How to measure your shoe size and choose office, work, and field shoes

77. How to show genuine respect for all kinds of people

78. How to wear life jackets and the conditions under which it is mandatory to do so; as well as knowing how to swim effectively and safely

79. How to negotiate and how to close a contract

80. How to get proper health insurance

81. How to get and understand your credit score, and how to improve it

82. How to operate appliances

83. How to operate, maintain, and fix small piston and electric motors

84. How to organize and decorate living and work spaces

85. How to organize your time

86. How to pay credit card

87. How to practice good manners and "digital etiquette" in internet use

88. How to practice a sustainable, healthy and consistent life with work-life balance

89. How to prevent phishing and related scams

90. How to prevent mosquitoes and other pesky insects

91. How to proceed with infestations of bed bugs, cockroaches, ants, and other household insects

92. How to protect and retain your personal information

93. How to track taxes and penalties

94. How to track monthly income and expenses

95. How to perform basic first aid

96. How to paddle a small boat, kayak, and canoe

97. How to repair clothes, stick a button, and make basic repairs

98. How to check a computer and peripherals to talk to the support technician

99. How to follow flowcharts and understand each of the steps

100. How to follow directions and ask for support in times of doubt

101. How to follow safety regulations (of all types)

102. How to follow protocols, rules, quality standards, and use quality charts

103. How to be polite in situations of gender identity and religious or cultural differences

104. How to have positive body language during meetings and public situations

105. How to treat others with respect in online communication, avoid cyberbullying, and protect yourself from online predators.

106. How to deal with a mechanic, a doctor, a financial advisor, a tax advisor, a salesperson, a lawyer, a police officer, a small claims judge

107. How to use your work area personal protective equipment (PPE)

108. How to use the bike and follow road signs

109. How to use the fridge to preserve food

110. How to wear thermal underwear for low-temperature work, underwear for sweat management, and underwear for extremely hot conditions

111. How to use a recreational camp in a park, light and extinguish fire

112. How to wear shoes, special footwear and socks for normal work activities, fieldwork, wet conditions, ice, very low temperatures and very high temperatures

113. How to use public transport for urban and rural areas, and how to rent vehicles for work

114. How to sell products or services and above all, how to close the sale

115. How to sell your working time (for salary with an employment contract) or professional time in systems of payment by working time, by results and by-products

116. How to sell your knowledge and skills for results without falling into payment for time (hourly work, wages and the like)

117. How and when to say no

118. How and when to say yes

119. How and when to pay taxes

120. How and when to pay a bill and how to pay it through banking systems

121. How and when to respond briefly, precisely, and clearly to authority

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