Countdown to the 2012 graduate award

The nomination period for the 2012 IEMA graduate award, sponsored by Land Securities, has now closed, and the judges are busy selecting a winner and two runners-up

From all of the nominations received, the judges are aiming to identify three recent graduates of environmental studies who have made a real environmental difference to their business since achieving their first green role.

The award ultimately aims to find, nurture and promote the best emerging environmental talent and bolster understanding of the roles environment professionals – of all levels of experience – play in the green economy.

Winning, or even being shortlisted, provides a CV boost for individuals early on in their environment career, and demonstrates that their organisations employ forward-thinking graduates and invest resources in innovative projects.

Those shortlisted for the graduate award in the past have often gone on to work with IEMA on other projects, and some have even been profiled in the Guardian and in various environmental publications, so a nomination can lead to great things beyond the initial prize (see below).

This year’s judging panel will meet on 21 November to select their shortlist of five and decide the winner and runners-up. All five finalists have now been invited to attend the Edie sustainable leaders awards ceremony on 5 December, where IEMA’s chief executive Jan Chmiel will present the winner with a prize of £1,000, a trophy and one year’s graduate membership of the Institute.

The winner and runners-up will be showcased in the December issue of the environmentalist, and interviews with all of the finalists will feature in the January 2013 issue. For more information about the award, visit iema.net