Aryaman is an Associate at the Big 4, specializing in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) consulting. He shared insights into his role, where he helps companies improve their ESG ratings and align with global sustainability standards. We discussed his journey into environmental engineering, his college experience, and his perspective on the growing importance of sustainability in today's corporate world.
WORK
Role at the company
Environmental Engineer
Working at
Big 4
Location
Delhi, India
EDUCATION
Studied from
DTU
Graduated with
B.Tech Environmental Engineering
Subjects in 12th
Physics
Maths
Chemistry
So, you're an Associate at the Big 4. Could you walk me through what a typical day looks like for you?
Sure! I work in ESG, which stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance. My focus is on companies listed on NASDAQ. Various indexes provide these companies with ESG ratings, which essentially measures how well or poorly they perform in terms of environmental and social impact. These ratings are crucial because a low score can negatively impact stock prices.
When a company receives a poor rating, my team and I step in to identify gaps in their ESG performance. For instance, we might analyze what their competitors, with better ratings, are doing right. From there, we help develop a strategy to improve their score, and ultimately, we present these recommendations to the client. That's how I'd describe my work.
That sounds incredibly valuable for companies, especially with the growing awareness and pressure from both governments and investors to prioritize sustainability. Have you seen a noticeable shift in how businesses approach ESG in recent years?
Absolutely, there’s been a significant change. Nearly every company now has a dedicated environmental division, focused on reducing their carbon footprint and implementing sustainable practices. It’s no longer just about compliance; there’s a much stronger emphasis on corporate responsibility. Investors and stakeholders are holding companies accountable, and many are even tying financial performance to ESG goals. Plus, philanthropy and social impact initiatives have become key focus areas. It’s clear that being proactive in ESG is no longer optional — it’s essential for long-term success.
Since environmental engineering is a relatively less explored field, are there strong job prospects and opportunities for growth?
Yes, definitely. I graduated from DTU, and this year alone, environmental engineering has been one of the highest-placed branches among the core fields. It also saw a higher number of students securing jobs compared to other branches. In India, not many colleges offer environmental engineering, so there's a higher demand in the job market compared to other core fields.
On top of that, it’s a well-paying field. In my batch, the average salary was around 12 LPA, with the highest going up to 30 LPA. Plus, there are even more opportunities abroad. Every year, I see at least one person from my batch going to places like Stanford for a master’s program. With only a handful of major colleges in India offering environmental engineering, the competition for higher studies abroad is relatively lower, which works in favor of those applying.
How did you decide to pursue environmental engineering after JEE? And what was your experience with JEE preparation?
Choosing to pursue engineering was entirely my decision. I was strong in math and had a genuine interest in science, so engineering seemed like a natural path for me. I cleared the JEE exam but only wanted to attend a government college, so I decided to take a gap year and try again.
The following year, I had offers from a few core branches at DTU. I was also getting computer science at another college, which my parents wanted me to pursue, but I wasn’t particularly drawn to it. I had options like chemical engineering, civil engineering, and production engineering, but I didn’t enjoy chemistry enough to choose chemical, and the other branches didn’t appeal to me much.
I ultimately chose environmental engineering because I felt it had better future prospects, and the hiring stats for this field were more promising compared to the other options I had. It was a mix of interest and practicality that led me to this decision.
How was your overall experience in college?
Even though I didn’t choose computer science, I decided to give it a try in my first year, but I quickly realized it wasn’t for me. By my second year, I started exploring what consulting was all about, and I really liked it. In a consulting firm, you work on various projects for different clients, each with their own unique problems. It’s exciting because it’s fast-paced, and if you enjoy interacting with people and solving problems, consulting is a great fit.
During college, I realized that to get hired, being good at communication was crucial, along with having strong analytical skills. So, I focused on improving both. I talked to a lot of seniors, joined a few clubs, and that experience really helped. To enhance my knowledge in environmental engineering, I also did a few internships. I interned at ONGC (Oil and Natural Gas Corporation) and DMRC (Delhi Metro Rail Corporation), which were great learning experiences. They helped me develop the necessary skills and eventually secure a job.
Do you enjoy your work, and do you see yourself staying in this field long-term?
Honestly, yes, I do enjoy the work. In India, there are stricter environmental regulations coming from the government, which makes this field even more relevant and impactful. Plus, it’s great to be part of solving global challenges like sustainability. The pay is also great as you move up, which is definitely a nice bonus.
Thank you for sharing — we'll post your story on our website and if anybody has more questions, they will schedule a call with you.
