2025/6 EARLY CAREERS SURVEY
The fourth annual UK Early Careers Survey is now live and will run until 17 December 2025.
The survey was launched by Environment Analyst’s UK Early Careers Advisory Board and seeks to understand the recruitment and retention challenges facing the UK environmental & sustainability (E&S) consulting sector.
It is open to professionals who have worked in the sector for up to six years, and asks about job satisfaction, entry route into the sector, salary expectations, professional development needs, diversity and more.
The responses will be published anonymously in a free report in Spring 2026, to help the sector improve job satisfaction and recruitment schemes.
THE SURVEY AIMS TO
Help the E&S sector understand how to attract and retain the next generation of talent
Provide a platform for early career professionals in the sector to be heard
Highlight changes from previous surveys
Help formulate recommendations for business leaders and HR teams in the sector to apply
2025 REPORT
Environment Analyst’s third annual Early Careers Survey ran in November 2024, and the findings were published in May 2025.
The findings reveal job satisfaction is high, with 70% of respondents noting they're satisfied or very satisfied. Nevertheless, the sector still lags the national average in terms of ethnic diversity.
HOW LIKELY ARE YOU TO RECOMMEND THE SECTOR?
HOW DID YOU FIND OUT ABOUT E&S CONSULTING?
2025 HEADLINE FINDINGS
Job satisfaction is high with 70% satisfied or very satisfied. Flexible working and salary were the top contributing factors.
Diversity is still an issue, with 87% identifying as white, which is higher than the national average
60% of respondents were not aware of the sector prior to studying in higher education.
Chartership support was the most requested type of help for career development
22% of respondents studied subjects outside of the expected range of
environmental disciplines
73% listed net zero commitments
as the most important company
sustainability initiative to them
Salary was the main reason respondents
would leave their current role
Disparities between gender and salary
expectations exist at higher salary bands
2024 REPORT
Environment Analyst’s Early Careers Advisory Board launched its second Early Careers Survey ran in 2023, with the findings published in 2024.
The survey highlighted five overarching concerns shaping respondents’ experiences and career development, namely: diversity and inclusion; career support; salary; working arrangements; and sustainability.
Environment Analyst’s 2022 Early Careers Survey saw 370 early career professionals (ECPs) share their thoughts on sector entry routes, job satisfaction, retention and more.
The surveyfound that ECPs were positive about working in the sector, and that role variation, international work and a sense of purpose were critical determinants of job satisfaction. However, the results flagged sub-optimal performance in the areas of sector diversity, salaries, and early engagement when compared to other professional service sectors.
2022 REPORT
WANT TO GET INVOLVED?
The UK Early Careers Advisory Board works to combat the skills challenges facing the environmental and sustainability consulting sector, and promote career opportunities. The board members are early career professionals working in the sector.
To discuss joining the Board or collaboration opportunities please email the Chair emily.ridge@environment-analyst.com. To learn more download the brochure below.