Student Spotlight 12 May 2026 - Brooke Hawkins

From Environmental Sustainability to a Career in HSE: Expanding My Career Perspective

This week we're shining our Student Spotlight on Brooke, a Masters student in the school of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences who's looking forward to taking her core values into the workplace in unexpected ways.

My name is Brooke Hawkins, and I've been studying at the University of Birmingham for the last 4 years. I graduated with my undergraduate degree in July 2025, as part of the first cohort to complete a degree in Global Environmental Change and Sustainability, and I am now finishing my Masters degree in Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Management.

Growing up, I never would have imagined myself as an HSE professional. With a keen love for geography and a strong commitment to protecting the environment, I pictured a career in sustainability, helping organisations reduce their environmental impact. But while training as an Environmental Consultant during my second year, I discovered potential roles in ‘Health, Safety and Environment’ (HSE) and ‘Safety, Health, Environment and Quality’ (SHEQ).

Both fields share a core purpose: protecting people and the environment. Whether addressing hazardous substances, waste management, or workplace processes, both disciplines identify risks, implement controls, and prevent harm. Recognising this connection highlighted the importance of integrating efforts to protect people and the environment as linked outcomes rather than separate priorities. What once seemed like two separate disciplines quickly revealed themselves as a closely connected field.

This realisation fundamentally changed how I viewed my future career and encouraged me to expand my expertise and pursue a master's degree in HSE management, even though I had no prior health and safety experience. I now aspire to develop as a well-rounded professional who can consider environmental impact, human health, and workplace safety simultaneously, which could be described as a “triple threat” approach.

Exploring HSE doesn’t mean moving away from my original environmental values and passions, many professionals in my field specialise in one of the three specific aspects, but having an understanding of all three strengthens my ability to protect both the planet and the people within it. This integrated skill set is essential in today's organisations, where overlapping challenges demand comprehensive solutions. Integration is the key to making a meaningful, valued difference.

If you are considering a career in environmental sustainability, broadening your view to include health and safety can set you apart. By recognising links between environment, health, and safety, you’ll make a stronger, lasting impact.

Looking to explore your career options in sustainability? The University’s central Sustainability Team is looking for enthusiastic students to join this year’s sustainable labs accreditation team. This extracurricular role provides a fantastic opportunity to add to your work experience, build your networks with staff and students across UoB and develop highly sought-after transferable skills, plus it's recognised as an approved activity for the Birmingham Award. To find out more about Green Impact check out SOS UK’s website and apply for this opportunity by 1 June.

Take a look at Careers Network and find out how we’re here to help you put your best foot forward into your dream career.