Now, more than ever before, being environmentally responsible is a necessity rather than a way of life. No longer entrenched in the realm of hippies, thrift shoppers, and early adopters, sustainability has become a legitimate concern and goal for us all. As the Earth’s climate changes accelerate, we must incorporate sustainable practices into our lives, whether personally or professionally. That’s why we’ve written this sustainability career tips to help you in your professional life.
For some, making changes in their own lives is not enough, and they want to contribute in a professional capacity by seeking a career in sustainability. While quoting David Attenborough as inspiration does not necessarily make you unique, many people are inspired to action by the incredible footage that we see in the news and documentaries.
The damage we have done to the Earth and the suffering of its most vulnerable communities become more and more visible to us, but so do the solutions required to fix it. We are more educated and aware than previous generations about what we are doing wrong and how to turn our current trajectory around.
Sustainability is no longer a niche; it’s here to stay. Commercial and industrial sectors are starting to incorporate sustainability as a fundamental part of the business. From waste management to fashion to energy efficiency, even education has prioritized sustainability. As a result, there are many opportunities available to job seekers and new graduates looking to make a difference in their profession, and these will continue to grow.
Four Core Sustainability Career Tips for Maximum Growth
Get Involved
Internships and volunteer work are a great way to get involved in your field of interest. They are great for helping you identify which areas or topics interest you and which don’t (which is equally important!). You’ll get valuable experience and exposure to the practicalities of applying sustainability in business. An internship or volunteer work looks great on a CV and will kick off your green networking skills. While not everyone can work for free on a full-time basis, even a part-time or remote role will still impress your future employers.
Develop Your Knowledge
Careers in sustainability are heavily linked to developments in research and technology. If you’re interested in a career that involves some of these more technical aspects, keep your knowledge up to date. Reading and research are not just for assignments! There might be an industry journal or newsletter to which you can keep up to date on the latest developments. You can customize your feed on various news apps to ensure you get the latest info about your area of interest, and don’t forget to look outside of your region to stay current.
Take the Initiative
Our next sustainability career tips are about taking initiative and doing the challenge. Take the initiative yourself and start a sustainability project at your current work. Perhaps you can’t volunteer or take a course, but you can leverage your passion for making changes where you are. If you’re a career changer, keep your cross-over potential in mind and look for ways to bring sustainability into what you already do or bring your existing skills and knowledge into a new position. Showing your drive will help you stand out from the crowd.
Take Industry-Related Courses
Industry-related courses and training are a great way to upskill quickly or learn about a niche topic that wasn’t covered in your previous studies. Many courses are available online to complete at your own pace and can even provide you with additional certification. Talk to someone on a career path that you want, and they may be able to recommend courses or skills that you can work on before you apply for your next job.
Make a Difference
Our knowledge about our connection with the Earth continues to develop, and each new generation brings novel solutions and technologies to the problems we face. Careers in sustainability are booming, and there will be no shortage of roles for people concerned with the need to develop a greener world.
With that, we invite you to explore the Sustainability Education Academy (SUSTEMY). We offer comprehensive online courses dedicated to sustainability. You can learn new skills and boost your career opportunities with our range of courses focused on developing your expertise. Suitable for those hoping to enter the field of sustainability and those looking to upskill, SUSTEMY will give you the edge!
We our that our simple but applicable sustainability career tips article has improved your mindset and increase your confidence.
