Joye is an Environmental Scientist on our Renewables team. Joye studied Sociology and Geography at the University College Dublin and joined MKO in 2025 as part of our grad intake.
What inspired you to pursue a career in environmental science?
I have always felt drawn to geography because of its multidisciplinary facets; how it interacts with so many different aspects of society, such as economics, sociology, anthropology, politics, biology, geology and so much more. I was unsure starting college what career path I wanted to take but I was sure I wanted to do something in the sphere of geography, so I chose to do a joint honours degree in geography with sociology. My interest in rural and urban planning, particularly how cities and towns developed their spatial footprints over time, further shaped my academic direction. All of my interests converged when I discovered work in the field of environmental science. Seeing how a path working in renewable energy can help change our environment for the better. I was also motivated by the opportunity to be proud of the meaningful work produced by environmental scientists.
Can you describe your typical day as an Environmental Scientist?
On the renewables team, I am constantly working on different tasks – no week looks the same. A core part of my work involves contributing to Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) reports. This will consist of conducting research on a wide range of environmental resources. A lot of it will consist of material from the MKO database, as well as public historic and contemporary maps, census data, EPA maps, academic literature, and relevant governmental guidance and legislation. Usually, I will have some tasks to do on Excel to support projects, this often involves consulting with internal or external teams to compile data. Excel tasks will also include tasks such as financial tracking, structuring coordinates and assisting with project management tasks while facilitating wider project teams. GIS also plays a significant role in my day-to-day life, it is an integral part of MKO’s projects. Being able to use GIS for spatial analysis and data visualisation is specifically important to the role of an environmental scientist, making it a key tool in supporting informed decision-making throughout renewable energy projects.
What types of projects are you currently working on?
Since joining the team, I have been working on a range of small and large wind farm projects across Ireland. Each project has its own personality, with different needs and traits requiring our detailed attention. Every project has to be assessed in depth in all aspects of its impact, not limited to: how it will look in the landscape, its socio-economic impact, what terrestrial species are present with/near the site, how it will impact groundwater and soils, how traffic will be impacted and how the wind turbine will function to omit shadow flickers. I have also had the opportunity to attend site visits on multiple occasions, which is something I always look forward to. Visiting the site brings our work to life, allowing us to see how the desk studies we undertake translate into real-world projects. It demonstrated to me the value of thorough research, report writing and data analysis. In addition to project-based environmental assessments, I am also involved in fee assessments, which I particularly enjoy, seeing how a project is broken down, beginning to end, and what key elements need to be cumulated before a project may progress. How precise labour is calculated within each task, and seeing how imperative it is to meet deadlines within a timeframe. This particular task has provided me with an excellent overview and perspective on the totality of MKO’s renewable mission.
How would you describe the culture at MKO?
From my first day at MKO, the company culture has always been welcoming. I was lucky to start my role alongside several other graduates, which made the transition into working life a lot easier. At MKO, you are surrounded by dedicated individuals who work together as part of successful teams to deliver projects that help solve the environmental and societal challenges of our time. Proving that this is an instance where the whole is even greater than the sum of its parts. It has always felt like being part of a large family, no one is ever afraid to ask for help, and no one is ever afraid to give a hand. What really strikes me about the culture of the company is the feeling empowered to ask questions, knowing how MKO has created a team that supports and develops each other. Due to the nature of the environmental scientist role, we have the privilege of working and collaborating with almost every team in MKO. I have especially enjoyed this because it gives you the opportunity to work with different people and see how other teams work together.
What do you enjoy most about your role at MKO?
Getting the opportunity to work on wind energy projects is for me one of the most enjoyable aspects of my role. It’s rewarding to work in an industry that is striving to improve the environment and make a meaningful difference. I also enjoy how versatile the role of a graduate is. I get the chance to work on multiple different projects and different tasks for each, helping me learn more about projects and my role within projects. As a graduate, you get to see how passionate your colleagues are about their work, and it is impossible not to follow suit.
What advice do you have for someone aspiring to pursue a career as an environmental scientist with MKO?
Having a keen interest in the environment is fundamental for this role. I would advise anyone looking to follow a career in this role to learn and have an understanding of renewable energy developments and Environmental Impact Assessment Reports, as they are key in the day to day work we do. Having knowledge in planning and environmental legislation is also super important, as a lot of our work is dependent on meeting up to date and relevant guidelines.
What are the most important skills required for your role?
I found that undertaking tasks such as report writing, due diligence, and document review form a significant part of the role, making strong investigative and analytical skills essential. I found that the experience I gained using GIS and Microsoft Excel during my degree transitioned seamlessly into my work at MKO. Developing practical expertise in GIS, in particular, has proven invaluable and would be my top piece of advice to my younger self. A strong understanding of Irish legislation and planning systems provides a solid knowledge base for an Environmental Scientist role. Being open to continuous learning, embracing mistakes, and learning from them are key to professional growth. Equally, being a strong team player is central to MKO, where a willingness to support colleagues and go the extra mile is highly valued.
How does MKO support your professional development in environmental science?
The start of my professional career has been propelled forward by MKO’s guidance and support. I’ve been enabled to absorb so much knowledge from colleagues across the company. Having access to a full team who guide you through the beginning of your career has been crucial in navigating challenging tasks and inevitable pressures that come with starting a professional role. MKO’s culture of cross-team collaboration has enabled me to learn so much about the work of an environmental scientist, but also about the other in house discipline such as ecology, planning, project management, landscape design and GIS. I have also found that from working alongside previous graduates, who have now become practitioner level, really soothed the anxiety of starting a new role. It is invaluable to work with individuals who have undergone similar learning journeys, fostering greater patience and understanding. As you progress within MKO, you are consistently assigned a structured workload with progressively greater responsibility aligned with your abilities. This experience has been eye-opening and has informed how I aim to develop within my role. As someone who is always eager to learn, MKO provides an ideal environment for continuous professional development and long-term career growth.
