You're looking to break into a sustainability career. How can you get your foot in the door?

I am seeing a trend that many people, including those who I have mentored, take some additional education including various sustainability credential programs to try to shift their career completely. For example go from tech project management to a sustainability role that requires science training. The hiring companies seem to favor early career candidates who graduated college with a very related degree for the role, rather than choosing a mid-career individual without that multi-year specific degree. More success has come when people look for roles that heavily leverage their skills from their career but now use them in an industry that is sustainable/gives them purpose. And then they continue to shift their career from there.

A good way to assess your strenghts is to understand the gaps in your knowledge and skills required for a role in the sustainability industry. Once you identify these areas, dedicate your time and resources to enrolling in online courses offered by various universities and accredited institutions that will empower you with the rightful tools to plan a later transition.

??? Additionally, consider your personal attributes such as passion, creativity, and resilience, which are invaluable in the field of sustainability. Reflect on your past experiences, including internships, volunteer work, or extracurricular activities, to identify transferable skills and relevant accomplishments. Furthermore, seek feedback from mentors, peers, or career counselors to gain insights into areas where you excel and areas for improvement. By understanding and leveraging your strengths effectively, you can present yourself as a strong candidate and increase your chances of securing a sustainability job that aligns with your interests and aspirations.

To break into a sustainability career, start by building a solid foundation through education and certification in relevant fields. Network actively within the sustainability community through events, conferences, and online platforms to connect with professionals and learn about opportunities. Gain practical experience through internships, volunteering, or project work related to sustainability. Demonstrate your commitment by incorporating sustainable practices into your personal and professional life. Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your sustainability skills and experiences, and stay informed about industry trends and challenges to show your engagement and expertise during interviews.

Talk to people, and ask them how they started. Do an internship to learn a new skill. Take a course to do the same. Create a network of professionals that will support you on the journey. Life is trial and error, and so is the career path. There is no magic formula, just a lot of effort and dedication. Oh, and it is also useful to be passionate about the topic. Good luck!

?? Moreover, staying updated on industry developments, emerging technologies, and regulatory changes is crucial for success in the sustainability field. Networking with professionals in the industry through conferences, workshops, or online forums can provide valuable insights and opportunities for collaboration. Additionally, consider conducting informational interviews with professionals working in your desired sector to gain firsthand knowledge about the challenges and opportunities they encounter. This proactive approach to research and networking can enhance your understanding of the industry landscape and help you make informed decisions about your career path in sustainability.

Sustainability is quite a broad field, so it is important for you to do you research not only to get a better understanding of it in general, but also to determine which area is of most interest to you. You might also discover the area which aligns most closely with your current skills and strengths and use this as the launching pad into a sustainability career, while you work on building up knowledge on your true passion sub-field.

Tenha cuidado de pesquisar com antecedência o setor onde está buscando investir e mapeie quais os desafios já conhecidos e como suas capacidades podem ser úteis. Só depois busque atuar em algum desafio e tente fazer isso, inicialmente, via parcerias estratégicas.

Researching the field is where you start, but I encourage you to explore a few areas within that which resonate with you. For example, perhaps you find that of all the sustainability principles and developmental goals you are most interested in how we fuel local economies and spur economic development. So you start looking at business and economic development councils within cities to see how they are implementing programs and leveraging funding to create a more economically viable place. Once you pull on the thread, there are always organizations you can do more follow up on to include reading about their work, networking with them, and even securing volunteer work, internships, or a full time position.

A atua??o em rede é o melhor caminho para uma jornada em sustentabilidade, pois é a oportunidade de gerar conex?o com iniciativas que est?o comprometidas com a constru??o de um mundo melhor e seus eventos para estabelecer conex?es (ou o famoso networking) com profissionais que s?o referência no tema. A Rede B (Do sistema B) e a Rede Ambima de sustentabilidade s?o algumas dicas que compartilho que possuem boas práticas que est?o sendo desenvolvidas pelas empresas e as oportunidades para melhoria contínua das iniciativas. Nesse espa?o aprendemos exemplos para replica??o, mas é importante relembrar que a replica??o dependerá do contexto do negócio e o momento em que ele se encontra.

?? Furthermore, consider leveraging social media platforms like LinkedIn to connect with professionals in the sustainability field. Engage in relevant discussions, share valuable content, and showcase your passion for sustainability to build your online presence. Additionally, explore internship or volunteering opportunities with sustainability-focused organizations to gain practical experience and expand your network. Remember to follow up with contacts you meet and maintain meaningful relationships by offering support and sharing insights. By actively networking and connecting with others, you can increase your visibility, access valuable resources, and open doors to exciting career opportunities in sustainability.

Find a professional working in your preferred area of sustainability and ask him/her if he/she to be your mentor. He/she can help guide you in your career transition as well as be a source that connects you with the right opportunities and people.

Volunteering is not a requirement when you break into a new industry. If you bring relevant skills and experience to the table, your enthusiasm and personal interest in sustainable topics will get you into the room. That said, I make volunteering or pro bono projects part of my company mission, a way to pay it forward and give back. Links and organisations where you can find opportunities that do good and give you credible feedback for your portfolio: ? United Nations Volunteer Network ? Patagonia Volunteer Platform ? WWF website ? Greenpeace website ? searching for "volunteer opportunity" here on LinkedIn. ?? Unpaid positions in for-profit companies: ? Internships are paid positions. ? Exposure is not a currency.

?? Additionally, consider reaching out to professionals in the sustainability field and expressing your interest in volunteering or interning with them. Networking with individuals already established in the industry can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to opportunities. Tailor your outreach messages to highlight your passion for sustainability and your willingness to contribute to meaningful projects. Moreover, volunteering or interning remotely can broaden your opportunities beyond geographical constraints and allow you to collaborate with organizations worldwide. Remember to leverage your experience and connections gained through volunteering or interning to further advance your sustainability career.

Having something to show for your research and work is important to demonstrate and share with others that you have applied your passion and knowledge for the field. If you volunteered, write about it, take pictures, and feature it on your profile. If you are conducting informal or formal research, try to submit an op-ed article or blog post about it. If you are savvy with data, build a dashboard or database that others can use. Finding opportunities to develop something from your knowledge will go a long way to supporting your personal pitch to landing a job in this space.

If you already have a job: Become and intrapreneur and use your current position, expand your influence and personal leadership in your existing organisation and or industry/sector peers and launch a timed, achievable, SDG challenge project, that delivers measurable impact and use this as a spring board, while already using your skills/position to drive positive change - I have worked with people who did not change in the end they became serial intrapreneurs and created multiple sustainable business models in non-sustainability functions! We need more of this!!

Breaking into a sustainability career can be an exciting and rewarding journey. Here are some steps you can take to get your foot in the door: 1.Start by gaining a thorough understanding of the sustainability. 2.Evaluate your existing skills, knowledge, and experiences. 3.Pursue educational opportunities that align with your desired. 4.Seek out volunteer positions, or part-time jobs that provide practical experience in the sustainability. 5.Attend industry conferences, seminars, or workshops to meet professionals and expand your network. 6.Stay updated on the latest developments, trends, and best practices in sustainability. 8.Find mentors or professionals in the sustainability field who can provide guidance and advice.

Entendo que para entrar na carreira de Sustentabilidade obtendo sucesso, é necessário investir conhecimento nas boas práticas ESG, pois é através delas que a empresa consegue trilhar q jornada do desenvolvimento sustentável de forma eficaz. Conhecer os impactos socioambientais DA organiza??o e os ricos financeiros NA organiza??o é o essencial pata trilhar uma carreira de sucesso gerando valor para empresa no seu respectivo segmento e modelo de negócio.