A Severn Trent manager who progressed from graduate recruit to leading wastewater operations is encouraging young people to explore careers that help protect the environment and shape a more sustainable future.

To mark Green Careers Week (2-6 November), Waste and Environment Team Manager, Poppy Herold is sharing her career journey in the hope of inspiring the next generation to consider opportunities in the growing green sector.

Today, Poppy oversees wastewater network operations across Worcester and Gloucester, leading teams that play a vital role in protecting the environment, supporting customers and helping Severn Trent deliver resilient services in the face of growing climate change challenges.

After completing a Master's degree in Environment and Development at Cardiff University, Poppy wasn't sure where her career would take her.

Joining Severn Trent's Operational and Environmental Leadership Graduate Scheme at just 23 years old, she admits she felt like a "rabbit in the headlights" when faced with deciding what to do next.

Poppy said: “I knew I cared about the environment, but I wasn't sure which path to take or where I would fit best.

“Like a lot of graduates, I felt overwhelmed by the choices available. The graduate scheme gave me the chance to try different roles, develop new skills and discover work I genuinely enjoyed.

“I hadn't appreciated the scale of what a water company does, or how much I would enjoy operational and customer-focused roles. Every placement taught me something different and helped me find my direction.”

During the three-year programme, Poppy gained experience across a wide range of roles and teams. She began as a Catchment Lead, helping improve customer experiences during flooding events, reporting on pollution incidents and supporting sewerage operations.

She later joined Severn Trent's Climate Change and Natural Capital team, helping to deliver climate reporting and environmental initiatives, before moving into a Standards and Assurance Manager role within Water Treatment South, supporting operational compliance, quality and best practice.

In April 2026, after completing the programme, she moved straight into the role of Waste and Environment Team Manager, her biggest career milestone to date.

She said: “I'm incredibly proud of how much I've developed over the last three years. When I joined, I was looking for a career with purpose. Now I'm leading a team, protecting the environment and helping deliver an essential service for customers every day. Taking that step into management is definitely something I'm proud of.”

Green Careers Week, organised by National Careers Week, shines a spotlight on the opportunities available in sectors focused on sustainability, environmental protection and tackling climate change.

For Poppy, the importance of these careers has never been greater. She said: “We're living in a time when environmental issues are higher on the agenda than ever before, and there's increasing focus on how organisations protect and improve the environment.

“For me, that highlights how important green careers are because they turn environmental ambition into practical action. There are so many ways to contribute, whether you're planning for the future, delivering environmental improvements or working in day-to-day operations. Creating a more sustainable future is something that will only become more important in the years ahead.”

As Green Careers Week highlights opportunities available in the sector, Poppy hopes her own experience will encourage others to take that first step. She said: “Go for it. Look for opportunities that reflect your values, ask questions and be open to trying different things.

“You don't need to have your entire career mapped out from day one. Some of the roles I've enjoyed most were ones I never expected to do. It can be fast-paced and challenging, but it's also incredibly rewarding. You can make a real difference for people and the environment while building a career you genuinely enjoy.”

In September 2026, Severn Trent welcomed 100 apprentices and 68 graduates as part of its largest-ever graduate intake. Among them were six graduates joining the Operational and Environmental Leadership scheme, which helped launch Poppy's own career and continues to develop the company's future environmental and operational leaders.

The rotational programme gives graduates hands-on experience across operational and environmental roles, helping them build the skills, knowledge and leadership experience needed to make a real difference for customers, communities and the environment.

Severn Trent offers a range of graduate programmes across business, operational and STEM disciplines. Applications for Severn Trent's current graduate programmes are not yet open, but candidates can register their interest now to be notified when 2027 opportunities become available: Register Your Interest - Graduate & Year In Industry Programmes 2027.