“It’s a really good mix of office work and site work, which was something that attracted me to the role from the beginning.”
When Christina Stewart was finishing university, she knew she wanted a career in environmental science, but like many graduates, she wasn’t entirely sure what that career would look like in practice.
While exploring potential pathways on LinkedIn, Christina came across FSC’s Senior Environmental Consultant, Souzy Melahridis. Curious about the industry and eager to learn more, she reached out for a chat.
What started as a simple networking conversation eventually led to an opportunity at FSC.
“A few months later, Souzy got back in touch and said there was a role available. We met for a coffee, had a chat, and everything she told me about the company and the work sounded really exciting. I just wanted to be part of it.”
Today, Christina is part of FSC’s Contaminated Land Management team, building her career through a mix of fieldwork, technical learning and hands-on project experience.
A steep learning curve - in the best way
Christina initially joined FSC as a casual while finishing university, which gave her the opportunity to gradually build her understanding of the industry before moving into a full-time role.
Her early months focused heavily on fieldwork, including soil classification, environmental sampling and groundwater monitoring.
What surprised her most wasn’t necessarily the volume of information, but how different workplace learning felt compared to university.
“Uni teaches you how to think, write reports and solve problems, but working in the industry is where you really learn what it all looks like in real life.”
Image: Site visit to Tasmania
Learning more, sooner
For Christina, one of the biggest advantages of joining a smaller consultancy has been the opportunity to gain exposure across many different aspects of the business early in her career. She feels like she’s been able to learn a broader range of things and take on more responsibility earlier.
“When I’m not on site, the team takes the time to explain the context behind what we’re doing. It’s not just about completing a task, it’s understanding why we’re doing it and how it contributes to the overall project.”
That broader perspective has helped accelerate her learning and build confidence as a graduate entering the industry.
More than just the work
While the technical experience has been invaluable, Christina says FSC’s culture played a major role in her decision to join the company. She was drawn to a smaller company environment because it felt more personal. From team days to everyday interactions, she quickly saw the culture Souzy had described during their first conversations.
“It genuinely sounded unique, and once I joined, I realised it really was.”
Looking back on her first months at FSC, Christina is grateful for the opportunities she’s already had and what’s yet to come.
“I’ve learned so much already, and I still feel like I’m learning every day. That’s probably the best part.”
