Summary
I have received a job offer as a climate policy officer, but my current employer has suggested that I start a new project within the consulting firm where I work. Therefore, I am urgently looking for ideas for a high-impact project that is feasible within the context of a consulting firm.
Context
I work as an environmental consultant at an engineering and consultancy firm. Inspired by effective altruism, I am seeking a job that has a greater impact on the well-being of people and other animals. I have now received a job offer to work as a policy officer, helping develop climate plans.
In response, my current boss has proposed that I start a new, out-of-the-box project within the company. He promises to support me and help build a team around the project. I need to respond to the government's job offer within a few days, so I don’t have much time to come up with a project idea within the company. That’s why I would like to seek help from the EA community to brainstorm possible ideas.
I realize that this is a broad and challenging question, and I would be very grateful for your input.
My Question
- What are your ideas for a high-impact project within a consulting firm?
- Which resources, contacts, or strategies might be helpful in answering this question?
- Do you have any other advice on making the choice between the two job options? (Climate policy officer vs. new project within a consulting firm)
Project Requirements
- The project must be profitable.
- The project must be feasible for a team of no more than 3 people (who would be supported by experts).
- The project must align with our company's expertise (see below). I suspect that environmentally related projects (e.g., on climate change or air pollution) are most likely to receive support from the management team.
- Relocating abroad is not an option for me. I live in the EU.
- The project must have a greater impact on the well-being of people and other animals than I could achieve in a job as a climate policy officer.
Information about our company
- Our company is one of the leading design and engineering firms in the fields of water, environment, mobility, and buildings.
- The company operates in 36 countries across all continents except Africa (and Antarctica).
- The company is not a contractor (it doesn’t execute the work) but handles all design and engineering tasks.
The expertise of our company
- Chemical regulation (e.g., REACH) and LCA (Life Cycle Assessment)
- Circular economy
- Soil remediation
- Environmental permits and environmental impact assessments (effects on water, air quality, biodiversity, etc.)
- District heating networks
- Electricity grids
- Sustainability and biodiversity consultancy
- Mobility solutions (design of roads, bridges, etc.)
- Sewerage and water infrastructure
- Building and factory design
Own Ideas
- The project could be an innovation (developing a new product or service). Additional funding for innovations can be obtained from the government.
- I suspect there are particularly opportunities within the following domains:
- Air pollution
- Climate change
- Health effects of chemical substances
- Water quality and availability in developing countries (this aligns with my own hydrogeological expertise)
- (I am certainly open to other domains as well.)
- In terms of project output, given the context of a consulting firm, I see the following possibilities as most likely:
- Research reports
- (Digital) tools
- Services for governments and companies (There are undoubtedly other possibilities as well.)
Thank you for your suggestion, Ulrik! I will integrate possible solutions to prevent or adapt to extreme climate change in my brainstorming exercise.