What do you do if you want to pursue continuing education in sustainability while working full-time?

To pursue continuing education in sustainability while working full-time: 1. Flexible Programs: Look for online or evening courses that accommodate work schedules. 2. Employer Support: Seek employer sponsorship or tuition reimbursement for relevant courses. 3. Time Management: Allocate dedicated time each week for studying and coursework. 4. Prioritize: Identify courses or certifications that align with career goals and interests. 5. Self-Discipline: Stay motivated and focused on balancing work and education commitments. 6. Networking: Connect with peers and instructors for support and collaboration. 7. Gradual Progress: Take one course at a time to manage workload effectively.

Throughout my career, I have dedicated a lot of time to further education. Most of it happened outside of work. The reason behind is that I strongly believe that each single one of us is responsible for his/her personal and professional growth. At the same time, I truly appreciate if companies support employees in their endeavors to learn new skills. In an ideal world, it is a joint responsbility, and considering it this way, it might be an idea to suggest programs that are highly relevant, have a practical focus, offer other advantages like networking on top and are reasonable as far as time investment is concerned. What might also work is to take half of the time as vacation, and apply for "absence due to training" for the other half.

Consider flexible options such as online sustainability certificate courses or part-time master's programs designed for working professionals, featuring evening or weekend classes. Hybrid formats combine online and in-person sessions, while self-paced learning platforms offer flexibility without rigid deadlines. These programs accommodate your work schedule, enabling you to boost your sustainability expertise alongside your professional duties.

Do not pursue courses or certificates for certificates' sake. Try to put these activities into practice. It's better to focus on fewer courses, books, etc. and try to implement the things you've learned into your life than to absorb more things unreflectively and not implement any of it.

To pursue continuing education in sustainability while working full-time, leverage online courses like Coursera's "Sustainable Development" or edX's "Introduction to Environmental Science" for flexible learning. Consider part-time master's programs such as "Sustainability Leadership" or "Sustainability and Environmental Management" to deepen expertise. Attend industry events like the Sustainable Brands Conference or the GreenBiz Forum for practical insights and networking.

Try to track your progress. Focus on small victories. Sometimes we resign from learning or activity because we think it will take too much time. But time will pass anyway, and if we move a step forward each day, we will be in a completely different place after a few months (or years).