You're a sustainability professional looking to achieve your career goals. What's the best way to get there?

The most effective way to define one's goals is making it a creative process. The ideal process is to make a vision board (virtual vision boards can also be used as desktop wallpapers for your PC!) and use existing templates on platforms such as Canva.

It is important to see personal allignement and integrity. By living sustainably yourself, you gain firsthand experience and credibility when working on sustainability initiatives. The field evolves, so a desire to learn is essential. Stay updated with the latest sustainability trends and practices. A passion for speaking up for environmental causes is a great fit. Share your actions and strategies. If you see yourself in a role where you can influence change, then honing your leadership skills is key. The sustainability community is full of passionate and knowledgeable people. Building relationships with others in the field can open doors to new opportunities and provide valuable mentorship and support

To achieve your career goals in sustainability, start by gaining relevant experience through internships, volunteer work, or entry-level positions in the field. Network with professionals in the industry, attend conferences, and participate in sustainability-focused events to expand your knowledge and connections. Consider pursuing advanced education or certifications in sustainability to enhance your skills and credibility in the field.

To achieve career goals in sustainability, focus on continuous learning and skill development through relevant courses, certifications, and networking opportunities. Gain practical experience through internships, volunteer work, or projects. Build a strong professional network within the sustainability community and seek mentorship from experienced professionals. Stay updated on industry trends, technologies, and best practices. Set clear, achievable career goals and create a plan to reach them, leveraging opportunities for advancement and demonstrating your commitment to sustainability in every role.

Gaining skill certifications from large conglomerates has twice the advantage in terms of assessing our skills. On one hand, we learn from industry leaders such as Microsoft, LinkedIn and well-established global institutions such as Oxford and the UN. On the other hand, it adds weight to our CV and helps us stand out from the applicant pool when applying for relevant jobs to upscale our career.

While attending conferences in person can be taxing, financially as well as environmentally, more and more well-known global conferences are establishing a hybrid or fully-remote hosting setting, increasing accessibility and enabling heightened participation - which helps attendees expand their network and leverage their connections to advance their careers in sustainability further.

From my own experience, finding a real mentor can truly change your life. I was fortunate enough to connect with someone whose guidance has shaped my journey in ways I always hoped for. A true mentor doesn't just share their knowledge; they instill confidence and courage through acknowledgment. It's about passing on a legacy of learning, inspiring you to mentor others and create a ripple effect of positive change. To find such mentors, engage in professional networks like LinkedIn and attend sustainability conferences. Actively seek out individuals whose career paths resonate with you and don't hesitate to reach out for advice or mentorship.

Your career path in sustainability won’t be linear; it’s vital to remain adaptable and eager to learn. Expect to be humbled along your journey and see every experience, successful or not, as a learning opportunity. Keep abreast of the latest trends and practices in sustainability. Network within your professional circle for mutual learning and insight. Regularly assess and adjust your goals to stay on course. Ultimately, your resolve and accumulated resources will propel you towards your aspirations. Good luck!

Stay informed, sustainability is wide and keeps evolving every other day, it's therefore important to stay abreast of emerging trends, best practices, and developments in the field of sustainability. That can be achieved through reading industry publications, attending webinars, and participating in online forums, Linkedin is one great platform to access these free webinars and forums. Furthermore, stay informed about global sustainability initiatives, policy changes, and corporate sustainability reports for example the recent changes in EU sustainability directives (CSRD)

Continuous Learning: Stay updated on sustainability trends, regulations, and best practices. Attend workshops, webinars, and pursue relevant certifications to enhance your knowledge. Networking: You can build a strong professional network within the sustainability field. Attend industry events, connect with peers, and engage in discussions to stay informed and open up potential opportunities.

With the current environmental struggles that our planet is facing, a job with sustainability role is not just about finding solutions to ongoing climate crisis, protecting environment. It involves embracing sustainability as a mindset / lifestyle to create a brighter future. Anyone who is passionate about protecting environment, concerned about climate crises and interested in creating a greener, safer future should consider a career in sustainability.? To make an impact and drive real change, sustainability professionals need to develop skills. These skills will allow you to do more than just cross things off of your daily to-do lists and look at some of the effective sustainable career pathways you may take to enter this field.