What do you do if you want to transition into a mid-career sustainability role in a top industry?

Skills assessment is critical. An assessment of your current skills will help determine the existing gaps you need to fill with new knowledge. An assessment will also reveal the inherent skills you have acquired that will help your transition to a new career in sustainability.

A gap assessment can help pinpoint where additional training might be needed, but emphasizing your strong skills can differentiate you and make you a more attractive candidate for sustainability roles. This targeted approach ensures you're developing in areas that directly contribute to your career transition, avoiding diversion into less relevant skills that don't align with your goals.

From my perspective, numerous traditional job roles foster skills that are highly pertinent to sustainability, even if they are not explicitly recognized as such. As you mentioned, effective project management, strategic communication abilities, and systematic problem-solving are valuable assets that go beyond specific industries. The journey towards sustainability is inherently cross-functional. Therefore, professionals who are skilled at synthesizing diverse perspectives have a significant advantage.

Assessing my skills was crucial for transitioning into a sustainability role. I evaluated my current skill set, focusing on transferable skills like project management, communication, and problem-solving. Recognizing the overlap between my background in diversity and inclusion and sustainability, I applied my expertise to enhance sustainability initiatives within teams and organizations. This analysis boosted my confidence in making the career transition.

Building your knowledge and competencies in sustainability is a critical factor for your transition. Sustainability is a super wide topic and it is difficult to identify where to invest your time and money. I would suggest to design your learning pattern matching your past experience with the field of sustainability where you can add more value and makes your heart beat. You could start with a more generic sustainability course - there are many on-line and for free - and pick up the topic stream based on the 2 elements above. Then deep dive with more focused learning. Do not forget though that the journey will never end and you should keep your appetite for learning always on.

I always recommend to those who are interested in becoming sustainability professionals to carefully assess their current knowledge and skills and identify areas for improvement that could benefit from in-depth study. Whether it is exploring renewable energy systems, circular economy models, environmental law, or corporate sustainability accounting, selectively pursuing certifications, specialized courses, or even degree programs can be a powerful way to differentiate oneself.

Education & Skills Development is key for career transitions especially when there’s no prior knowledge of the field. Pursue degrees or certifications in renewable energy, energy efficiency, or related fields. Stay updated on the latest advancements and technologies.

Keep on enhancing your current skills and demonstrating your commitment to sustainability. Consider yourself for certifications in sustainibility-related fields such as sustainable business practices. Try attending webinars and conferences if possible, as we it is a growing area, everyone is learning in real-time.

Engage early with the sustainability community to find mentors and explore new opportunities. Participate in online forums and industry groups on topics like renewable energy, carbon mitigation and circular economies to gain valuable insights and improve your knowledge and skills.

Networking needs to be done correctly to actually be efficient. I am not a fan of traditional networking, as it is often a waste of time. I suggest to join networks or choose events where exactly the people are that you look to connect with. Also: Leveraging platforms like LinkedIn allows you to connect specifically with those who are already successful in your desired field. This method ensures that your networking efforts are both targeted and productive, avoiding wasted time and maximizing potential opportunities.

Network with professionals already working in sustainability roles within your target industry. Attend industry events, join relevant professional organizations, and connect with individuals. Informational interviews can provide valuable insights and help you expand your network.

As one would be starting in this area, pickup various hats like volunteering, internships or projects within your current organisation. Keep on sharing updates with your network of your contributions and experience.

Busca opciones de voluntariado en roles que combinen tu experiencia actual con aquella que quieres desarrollar, así mantendras consistencia en tu hoja de vida y avanzarás hacia la transición a un nuevo campo.

Using LinkedIn effectively is one of the most powerful ways to market yourself as a sustainability professional and build your personal brand. This platform allows you to showcase your expertise and dedication to sustainability through various activities: Content Creation: Start a professional blog on LinkedIn where you can write articles about sustainability topics, share insights, and discuss new trends. This establishes you as a thought leader in the field. Engagement: Actively engage with posts related to sustainability by commenting, liking, and sharing. This helps you stay visible in the community and shows your commitment to sustainability issues.