6 Steps to a Career in Sustainability
My journey in creating a sustainability career began with a deep-rooted passion for environmental stewardship, nurtured by my parents' commitment to creating a healthy, vibrant community.
My path to a career in sustainability unfolded naturally. Taking the initiative to launch a coalition advocating for a recycling program during graduate school opened doors I never expected. From a part-time job to a full-time Sustainability Coordinator role, I immersed myself in various aspects of sustainability.
It was a career pivot that brought about significant learning and growth, with support from mentors and partners. My journey led me to mentor others interested in sustainability careers, which eventually led me to become a career coach and adviser.
Read on to learn about what goes into creating a career in sustainability.
How to Create a Career in Sustainability
Sustainability means meeting present needs without compromising future generations. Crucial for preserving our environment and ensuring resilience, sustainable practices are now more critical than ever. The demand for sustainability professionals is rapidly growing, offering diverse opportunities to shape a thriving and environmentally-conscious world. And it goes beyond the environment – three main pillars of sustainability represent the environment, social responsibility, and the economy. This is often referred to as people, profit, planet.
#1: Identify Your Passion and Skills
A quest for a fulfilling career in sustainability, begins with identifying your passion and skills - a pivotal step towards a purpose-driven professional journey.
Firstly, assessing your interests is crucial because a strong career is built on a foundation of interest. If you aren’t interested in the work, it’s very hard to feel fulfilled by it. When it comes to a career in sustainability, there are many issue areas that one can work on, from the circular economy to transportation and clean technology to sustainable agriculture and environmental policy. Employers in a wide range of industries have roles that have sustainability as part of their responsibilities.
Recognizing your transferable skills is equally important; these are the talents and abilities that can be applied across various settings. Whether you have skills in leadership, communications, problem-solving, project management, analysis, or another area, these are all useful transferable skills for advancing sustainable solutions.
In trying to decide what types of roles could be a good fit, the Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics can be a useful resource.
When you align your passion with the pressing global need for sustainability, you can discover a career path in sustainability that not only resonates with you, but also makes a positive difference in the world.
“Tu puedes cambiar el mundo” / “You can change the world”
#2: Gain Relevant Education and Knowledge
Gaining relevant education and knowledge is key to thriving in the dynamic field of sustainability.
Pursuing formal education can provide a solid foundation, offering comprehensive insights into sustainability principles and practices. Specialized sustainability degrees and certifications can help you hone expertise in specific areas like renewable energy, sustainable business, or environmental conservation.
Engaging in continuous learning and skill development is vital, given the ever-evolving nature of careers in sustainability. Stay updated on emerging trends, technologies, and best practices to remain at the forefront of this transformative movement, equipped to make a lasting impact in building a more sustainable future.
#3: Seek Practical Experience and Internships
Seeking practical experience and internships is vital for building a successful career in sustainability.
Hands-on experience is invaluable, allowing you to build your knowledge and apply it in real-world settings, fostering a deeper understanding of sustainable practices. Finding sustainability internships can be achieved through various channels, from online job platforms to networking with sustainability organizations and businesses. These opportunities provide exposure to diverse projects and professionals in the field, accelerating your personal and professional growth.
Here are several job boards for connecting with sustainability-related jobs and internships:
Climatebase (climatebase.org)
Climate Change Jobs (climatechangejobs.com/)
Climatetech VC Jobs Board (climate-tech-vc.pallet.com/jobs)
Ed's Clean Energy & Sustainability Jobs List (edsjobslist.com/)
GreenBiz Sustainability Jobs (jobs.greenbiz.com/)
Green Dream Jobs (SustainableBusiness.com) (sustainablebusiness.com/greendreamjobs/)
Green Jobs List (greenjoblist.com/)
Greentown Labs (greentownlabs.com/careers/)
New England Women in Energy & Environment Jobs Board (newiee.org/career-center/#jobsboard)
Volunteering in sustainability projects also offers a meaningful way to contribute while gaining practical skills and expanding your network. And volunteering doesn’t have to be full-time – explore what the needs are in your community, and how you can create value through just a few hours a week of involvement. Many communities have committees or groups focused on areas such as Climate Action, Sustainability, Active Transportation, Resiliency, and Food Justice. Find one that seems aligned with your interests, and see how you might be able to use and grow your skills to help advance the mission.
Embrace experiential opportunities, and you will facilitate your passion sustainability to transform into a rewarding and impactful career.
#4: Network and Connect with Industry Professionals
Networking and connecting with industry professionals is essential to thrive in a sustainability career.
Building a professional network allows you to establish valuable relationships with like-minded individuals, experts, and potential mentors who can offer guidance and support throughout your career journey.
Attending sustainability conferences and events is a wonderful way to immerse yourself in the sustainability industry, gain insights into emerging trends, and form meaningful connections with influential people.
Joining sustainability organizations and associations provides access to a community of passionate individuals and opens doors to collaborative projects and job opportunities. A few examples of sustainability and climate-related organizations are:
Net Impact
League of Conservation Voters
Carbon180
Friends of the Earth International
Climate Action Network International
Environmental Defense Fund
Natural Resources Defense Council
A few examples of sustainability-related professional associations are:
National Association of Environmental Professionals
AASHE (Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education)
International Society of Sustainability Professionals
New England Environmental Business Council
Sustainable Performance Institute
US Green Building Council
In addition, there are numerous Slack Workspaces that can help you connect with other people around the world who care about sustainability. For instance, Work on Climate and Social Impact Chat, to just a couple.
By actively engaging in networking, you position yourself to grow both personally and professionally, while contributing to the collective effort towards a sustainable future.
#5: Tailor Your Resume and Cover Letter
Tailoring your resume and cover letter is paramount when pursuing a career in sustainability, especially when you are making a career pivot from another field or type or role.
Highlighting relevant skills and experience will help your application resonate with potential employers, showcasing your suitability for the role. Emphasizing sustainability achievements demonstrates your dedication to the field and the tangible impact you are capable of making.
Customizing applications for different opportunities enables you to address the specific needs of each position. By crafting personalized and compelling documents, you increase your chances of standing out in the competitive sustainability job market, positioning yourself as a strong candidate to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of sustainable practices.
If you don’t have a lot of experience customizing your resume and cover letter for specific roles, it can be a time consuming endeavor, which is why many people invest in working with a professional resume writer who has the expertise to create a high-quality portfolio of job application materials in a matter of hours. Working with a professional resume writer is known to shave off months from the job search process.
#6: Ace the Sustainability Job Interview
To ace the sustainability job interview, start by researching the employer and position thoroughly. This knowledge will help you tailor your responses and show your genuine interest in the organization's values and goals.
As you prepare for your interview, you’ll want to review the following:
The job description
Common interview questions, including behavioral interview questions
The organization’s website and social media, including any major reports they’ve published in the past couple of years
The organization’s Form 990, if it’s a US-based nonprofit organization (this is the form tax-exempt organizations in the US need to file each year with the Internal Revenue Service, and it provides all kinds of insights about the organization’s mission, activities, finances, and leaders)
Prepare for sustainability interview questions by reviewing common topics like climate change, resource management, and sustainable practices. You don’t need to be an expert, but it is important to know key themes, major players, and frequently used phrases.
Showcase your passion and commitment to sustainability by sharing specific experiences and projects that highlight your dedication to making a positive impact. For instance, share specific examples from academic projects, internships, volunteer work, and community organization and professional association involvement.
Demonstrating your knowledge, enthusiasm, and alignment with the organization’s mission will impress the interviewers and increase your chances of landing that rewarding sustainability role.
My Career Journey: How I Created a Sustainability Career
My parents have been local green space leaders since before I was born. Growing up, I regularly participated in clean-ups and tree plantings, and developed an appreciation for nature and community activism from an early age.
In college at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, I worked for a semester or two as a recycling peer educator. So, when I started my graduate school career in public administration, and saw that my university lacked a recycling program, I knew I had to do something about it.
I reached out to the administration and urged them to create a recycling program. One thing led to the next, and I launched a coalition to advocate for the creation of a recycling program. Our work over the course of months caught the attention of the university administration, and to my surprise, the new Senior Director of Facilities Planning & Management offered for me to work on his team to create a recycling program.
What started as a part-time job for me turned into a full-time job. And, over time, after building a campus wide recycling program, I advocated for my role to be expanded to reflect the wide range of work I was conducting. At the time, the title “Sustainability Coordinator” was still relatively new. That seemed like a fitting title, and I had the opportunity to craft my own job description, and the university promoted me to serve in this new capacity.
In this role, I worked on everything from environmentally preferred purchasing and dining, to transportation, to energy efficiency, to green jobs, to environmental education. I hired, trained, and led a team of passionate interns, and worked cross-functionally throughout the university and beyond to build an award-winning sustainability program.
This represented a career pivot for me, and there was a lot of learning on the job. I’m grateful to the people who gave me a chance, provided mentorship, and served as partners. The progress we made to change the organizational culture was certainly a team effort!
Over time, I started mentoring many people with an interest in sustainability careers, and that’s what led me to become a career coach and adviser. If you’re interested in exploring support to create a fulfilling career in sustainability, reach out to learn about my career coaching services.
Conclusion
STEPS TO START A CAREER IN SUSTAINABILITY
With dedication and enthusiasm, you too can carve a path towards a rewarding and impactful career in sustainability. Creating a fulfilling career in sustainability involves passion, education, experience, networking, and showcasing your commitment.
Begin by identifying your motivation – what inspires you?
Then, seek relevant education and knowledge through formal education, specialized sustainability degrees, and continuous learning.
Gain practical experience and internships to apply your skills in real-world settings and make a tangible impact.
Networking with industry professionals, attending conferences, and joining sustainability organizations will open doors and foster connections within the field.
Tailoring your resume and cover letter to highlight your skills and sustainability achievements is crucial in standing out to potential employers.
Finally, prepare for sustainability job interviews by researching the companies thoroughly, showcasing your passion, and aligning with their mission.
By following these steps, you can chart a fulfilling and impactful career in sustainability, contributing to a more sustainable future for generations to come.
If you're wondering how to embark on this journey, don't hesitate to check out my career coaching services and book a call so we can explore if we’re a good fit to work together.
Additional Resources to Lead a Fulfilling Career
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