Danielle Neal

Danielle Neal

Author: Host Sandra F December 7, 2024 Duration: 25:41

Danielle Neal is a procurement officer for Norwich City Council. They gained a first class honours degree in Environmental Sciences from the University of East Anglia, (UEA), studying a course that included a year in industry.


Initially, and because of their strong background in business studies, Dani thought their future would be lie in accounting and finance, but because of their interest in conservation and a desire to do something about climate change they switched courses.


Since graduating in 2018, Dani has been working in local government, and dovetailing environmental and conservation with hobbies that include biological recording, crafting and knitting, cinema and occasional travel.


When Dani attended university open days, they were drawn to the campus and community at UEA, as well as the strong reputation of both its business and environmental departments. And while there, they found lots of benefits to joining societies and volunteering, all of which helped them build connections and gain experience while also boosting wellbeing.


Dani talks of their view of Gens Y and Z, how they see their working life and purpose, how they find optimism through their faith in humans building community and the continued advancements in science and technology.


Top green, ethical, sustainable and socially responsible advice from Dani:

• Use your free time while studying to volunteer, engage with work shadowing and find what you enjoy. Ask questions – the people in the field you want to work in are the best to advise you.

• Do something that inspires you. We can all do something positive in EVERY role. 

• Read up on your employers' environmental policy. Check for volunteering opportunities at work and see what you can do in your everyday life.


Mentioned in this podcast 

University of East Anglia Environmental Sciences

RSPB volunteering

Norfolk Wildlife Trust volunteering

Shop Local


You might also like:

Sarah Kessell CEO, the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales S1 Ep5

Stuart Mabbutt, AKA The Wildman S3 Ep3 and Ep4

Rachel Warren, climate change scientist S1 Ep 7


About ProGRESS

Host Sandra Kessell invites guests to discuss their pro- Green, Ethical, Sustainable and Socially responsible jobs, courses or activities and asks for real-world insights into the pathways and careers that led to them.


Instagram @theProGRESS_podcast

Original content © Sandra Kessell 

Original music © Lyze Kessell

Email: hello@my-progress.co.uk

Expect revelations, lightbulb moments and an informative listen on ProGRESS, with plenty of insights as guests explain how and why got into their Green, Ethical, Sustainable and Socially Responsible career or course (the GRESS of ProGRESS) with plenty of tips if you want to do the same.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


Host Sandra F guides ProGRESS, a podcast built on conversations with people who have chosen to align their work with their principles. This isn't about generic career advice; it's a deep dive into the daily realities of building a life in green, ethical, and socially responsible fields. Each episode features a direct, unscripted talk with someone navigating this landscape-from sustainability consultants and environmental researchers to ethical entrepreneurs and conservationists. You'll also hear from voices shaping our world in less expected ways, including city planners, campaigners, architects, and even a philosopher or a comedian, all offering their unique perspective on what it means to work with purpose. The discussions are grounded in personal experience, covering the challenges, breakthroughs, and practical insights gained from their eclectic paths. Listening to this podcast feels like pulling up a chair to a candid coffee chat with someone who's actively building a career that matters to them, offering genuine inspiration and actionable understanding for anyone curious about where their own skills and values might intersect.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 56

ProGRESS
Podcast Episodes
Connor Cashell, Campaigns officer, Cycling UK [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:27
Connor Cashell combines his socially responsible and ethical values with a push for sustainability and a job campaigning for Cycling UK.After university Connor worked in Belgium where he facilitated meetings between Euro…
Dr Fernanda da Silva Tatley, Scientist, entrepreneur and Reiki Master [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:53
There's no doubt that Dr Fernanda da Silva Tatley's scientific career has been one of purpose. A medical molecular microbiologist, she’s researched tuberculosis (TB), listeria and cancer, working with Glaxo Wellcome, the…
Matthew Payne, Catalyst at Healthtech-1, NHS Youth Board member [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:39
Still in his early twenties Matthew Payne parked his career plans and degree course to work for a tech start-up to try, as he puts it, to fix the National Health Service. Matthew was due to finish his final undergraduate…
Stuart Goldsmith, Climate comedian and podcaster [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:16
What’s funny about climate change, you might think if you spot comedian Stuart Goldsmith’s job title.The answer is, of course, nothing, but after a long and successful career as a performer and stand-up comedian Stuart f…
Duncan Goose, CEO and founder of One Water. One year on... [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:33
Duncan Goose, the founder of Global Ethics and the brand One Water, returned to ProGRESS to talk about what has happened in the 12 months since we last spoke, including why he undertook a round Britain road trip to echo…
Rae Wilkinson, Award-winning garden designer. One year on... [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:58
In this wide-reaching discussion, ProGRESS's first-ever guest Rae Wilkinson rejoins the podcast to tell Sandra more about her career as an award-winning sustainable landscape and garden designer. Recording from her studi…
Maddie Booth, Sustainability consultant, educator and speaker [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:43
Sustainability consultant and environmental educator Maddie Booth started her first enterprise while at the University of Warwick, where she was studying for a Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) in global sustainable de…