Sustainable Career Practices

My career advice for young professionals and fresh graduates interested in the sustainability industry. After two decades in sustainability, here's what I wish someone had told me when I started. 1. Build your career at the intersection of sustainability and another field. Want to stand out? Don't just be a "sustainability person." Be the finance person who understands carbon markets. The supply chain person who knows circular economy principles. The marketing strategist who can avoid greenwashing. 2. Your degree alone won't cut it. The most successful sustainability professionals I know are always learning. You will face new frameworks, new guidelines, new regulations, and new technologies, very frequently in your career. This means you need to continously learn new things and keep updated on the latest happenings in the sustainability industry. 3. Focus on implementation, not theory. Don't focus on coming up with the perfect strategy or initiative. Start small, fail fast, gather feedback, and adjust quickly. You need to show results to build credibility and trust with internal and external stakeholders. 4. Master the art of measuring impact. In a world drowning in ESG claims and sustainability reports, those who can rigorously measure and prove impact will rise to the top. Learn impact measurement, carbon accounting, and life cycle assessments. 5. Build a personal brand around communicating sustainability solutions and stories. Don't just solve environmental problems. Share your success stories. Document your solutions. Create content about insights, innovations and breakthroughs. The sustainability space needs more sharing of best practices. What's your career advice? Share them in the comments below.

Here are three key pieces of advice for those beginning their careers in AI and Sustainability (drawn from my two decades of experience) ... 1. Master the fundamentals first In both AI and sustainability, foundational literacy is non-negotiable. Learn basic coding, critical thinking, understand materiality assessments, scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, as well as regulatory frameworks such as ... > the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) > Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) > Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) > the GHG Protocol 2. Invest in yourself The most sustainable asset in your career will always be you. Learn to learn. Attend quality and often free online training, join conferences, pick up general or specialized ESG certifications. Keep up with the latest thinking. Some notable annual events on climate action, social and environmental stewardship are … 📍Climate Week NYC 📍COP 30, United Nations Climate Change Conference  📍World Economic Forum (WEF), Davos Some of the most storied AI & ML Conferences include ... - NeurIPS, Neural Information Processing Systems - a focus on neural networks https://nips.cc - [ICML] Int'l Conference on Machine Learning, International Conference on Machine Learning - is focused on machine learning in general https://icml.cc - ICLR, International Conference on Learning Representations - with deep learning or learning representations as a thrust area https://iclr.cc 3. Seek interdisciplinary exposure The most valuable roles in the future may well be the emerging are "Sustainable AI Engineers" who understand both ML algorithms and environmental systems. And here's one important insight that’s often overlooked … Reach out to industry mentors who might be happy to guide you on your learning and experimentation journey. Their guidance can accelerate both your learning and impact. I hope that this serves as a useful starting point. Feel free to tag someone who might benefit from this advice! #Career #AI #Sustainability

Career acceleration isn't about climbing ladders faster or working longer hours. It's about understanding the fundamental principles that separate those who consistently advance from those who plateau. After observing hundreds of professionals, I've identified key patterns that drive sustainable career growth. 📈 The first principle is strategic visibility. Your work quality matters, but if the right people don't see it, your impact remains limited. Document your wins, share insights publicly, and volunteer for high-visibility projects that showcase your capabilities. Principle two revolves around building compound skills. Professionals who accelerate fastest develop complementary skill sets that multiply their value. A marketing professional who understands data analytics becomes invaluable. An engineer who can communicate complex concepts clearly opens doors to leadership roles. ⚡ The third principle is relationship capital. Your network isn't just about knowing people, it's about adding value to others consistently. Career acceleration happens through others, not despite them. Mentor junior colleagues, collaborate across departments, and maintain relationships even when you don't need immediate help. Principle four is anticipating market evolution. Industries transform rapidly, and professionals who stay ahead position themselves for opportunities others miss. Read industry publications, attend conferences, and engage with thought leaders to maintain your edge. 🎯 The fifth principle involves embracing stretch assignments. Comfort zones are career killers. Volunteer for projects that challenge your current capabilities. These experiences accelerate learning, demonstrate growth potential, and often lead to unexpected opportunities. Principle six centers on creating value beyond your job description. High-performers understand their role, but accelerators understand their organization's broader challenges. They proactively identify problems, propose solutions, and take ownership of outcomes that matter to leadership. The seventh principle is continuous learning with intentionality. Focus on learning that directly impacts your ability to deliver results and solve increasingly complex problems. Seek feedback actively, reflect on failures, and adapt your approach based on new insights. Finally, principle eight emphasizes patience with urgency. Career acceleration is a marathon requiring sprint-like intensity in specific moments. Develop long-term thinking while maintaining short-term execution excellence. These principles work synergistically. Visibility without value creation leads nowhere. Relationship building without skill development hits ceilings. Market awareness without execution capability creates frustration rather than advancement. Career acceleration isn't about shortcuts or gaming systems. It's about understanding how value creation, relationship building, and strategic thinking combine to create sustainable growth.

I used to work for 14 hours for a reputed personal branding agency. Not joking, I was hustling from 9 AM to 11 PM. (Of course with small breaks) Pushing myself to work nonstop left me drained, unhappy, and unhealthy. However, my growth at the agency was exceptional. It was there that I acquired all my skills. The transformation in my work was profound, a complete 360-degree change. I truly cherished the progress I made there. But all of it came at a cost. But now my perspective has shifted. Now, I know that lasting success requires pacing yourself for the long haul. It means setting boundaries and prioritizing self-care, not sacrificing wellbeing to overwork. Include sustainable practices like: → Setting realistic goals → Taking regular breaks to recharge → Unplugging after hours/on weekends → Using vacation time wisely → Building in time for health and hobbies. The irony is you achieve greater productivity and job satisfaction when you make space for personal needs. How are you maintaining your work-life balance? #worklifebalance #personalbranding #linkedingrowth

I’ve been an environmentalist for as long as I can remember, and as I get older it’s inspiring to see more and more young people joining the environmental movement. Our work is challenging, but so crucial for the future of our planet and all its beings. As I enter my 24th year on this planet, I want to share some of the lessons I’ve gained throughout my career! To start, here are 4 things I've learned (and am still learning) as a young professional in the sustainability sector: Embrace Intersectionality: Sustainability is about more than recycling and carbon emissions, the heart of it is about people and their experience with the environment. Understanding the intersection of social and environmental justice has been essential to my work so far, and helped me create tangible impact that I’m proud of. Find Your Niche & Continue to Explore: The sustainability sector can feel overwhelming at times. There’s so much that needs to be done, and so many issues to dedicate yourself to. It’s important to find the specific niches that spark your passion and focus so that you can find your role in the movement and have the most impact that way. You can always rely on others in areas that you don’t have the most expertise! Collaboration is Key: Friendships, coalitions, and community will get you very far. The sustainability community is tight-knit and extremely supportive. So begin building relationships with peers, industry experts, and community leaders to expand your network. Attending networking sessions, reaching out to professionals, and volunteering at local events are great ways to share your knowledge and access more opportunities. Prioritize your wellness: Burnout in the sustainability field is so real. Make sure you’re taking care of yourself by getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods, staying active, and nurturing your mental health. Spending time in nature, whether that’s swimming, hiking, or rock climbing, and hanging out with friends always brings me joy! What are your tips for young sustainability professionals? Share them in the comments below! #sustainability #youngprofessionals #environmentalcareers #intersectionality #wellness

There are a few things I think everyone should have in their career toolkit. Because building a career you actually want? It’s less about speed and more about direction. No matter your industry, title, or goals, if you want to build a career that’s actually sustainable and aligned, these six things matter: 🧠 A clear definition of success You can’t chase what you haven’t named. Get clear on what you actually want then build from there. 📓 A BRAG book Track what you’ve done, reflect on what you’ve learned, and stay grounded in your why. Confidence is built through clarity. 📚 A curiosity habit Read. Explore. Ask better questions. Growth isn’t always vertical. Sometimes it’s internal. Sometimes it’s lateral. Stay open. 🧘🏽♀️ A strong sense of self-awareness What drains you? What energizes you? Sustainable success starts with self-honesty. 🗣️ A “here’s what I bring to the table” elevator pitch Say it with your chest. You’re not for every room, but the right ones will open faster when you show up with clarity and confidence. 🌍 A supportive community No one builds a thriving career alone. Invest in your people. Find the ones who challenge you, cheer for you, and remind you of who you are. These aren’t just “nice-to-haves”, they’re essentials. No matter where you are in your career, having these tools will keep you grounded, clear, and moving forward with intention.

LinkedIn recently asked me for my best piece of advice for professionals who may be interested in a career within the sustainability space, whether with a larger firm or startup? Here are my thoughts. For those who are who looking to the future and planning for a career in the ESG space, I'd suggest gaining formal education in a specific area. Over time the generalist sustainability role will become obsolete, the demand for specialist expertise will increase and the available talent will be limited. If I wanted to plan for an ESG role in 2026/27, I'd be studying for a formal qualification and working in an aligned role to gain experience today. For those who are on the hunt for the perfect role right now, one very important piece of advice from me would be to ensure you understand and accept the organisation's position, maturity and appetite for social and environmental impact. You need to work with a company that is aligned to your values. Being responsible for sustainability in an established business is already an uphill battle, it would be unpleasant to work for a company who is only wanting some green sparkle on top if you are deeply invested in changing the world. Not all sustainability roles are created equal and not all companies treat them with the respect they deserve.. take the time to find the right fit. Alignment is critical! #sustainability #greenertogether #LinkedInNewsAustralia

🌱 Getting into a Sustainability Career 🌍 I've been receiving a large number of messages from people seeking advice on transitioning into a sustainability career or looking for new job opportunities. While it's exciting to see so much enthusiasm for sustainability, due to the volume of messages, I am not able to respond to each one individually. However, I am committed to helping and would like to share some general advice that might help you on your journey. 💡 Create Your Elevator Pitch: Develop a short and compelling elevator pitch. This should be a 60-second (or less) description of who you are, what you do, and what you're looking for. This pitch is your personal brand statement, and it can be an effective tool for introducing yourself to new contacts or potential employers. Find more tips here: https://lnkd.in/dG4FzHy3 💡 Go Beyond the Apply Button: While applying for jobs on LinkedIn is a popular approach, consider reaching out directly to hiring managers. Use your elevator pitch to introduce yourself. This approach is more personalised and can set you apart from a sea of applicants. 💡 Use Your Network: Approach professionals in your network who are already involved in the sustainability field. They can provide valuable insights, introduce you to others, and even guide you to opportunities you may not have considered. 💡 Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest sustainability developments. Attend workshops, webinars, and conferences. Participate in online forums and groups relevant to your field of interest. Continuous learning and engagement demonstrate your dedication and passion. 💡 Volunteer and Gain Experience: If you are new to sustainability, consider volunteering for projects or organisations that interest you. This can provide practical experience, deepen your understanding, and expand your network. Remember, it's a journey that requires patience, perseverance, and a proactive approach. I encourage you to use these strategies to chart your course in the sustainability field. Your passion and dedication are precisely what the world needs to create a more sustainable future. Wishing you all the best in your career journey!

🍀 Looking for a job in sustainability? Here are some tips and resources to help you find and land that role. 🍀 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐉𝐨𝐛 🌱Sustainability jobs aren't always clearly labeled as such so you may have to dig deeper into the lingo. Turn on LinkedIn job alerts with keywords like sustainability, climate, responsible, renewable energy, ESG, impact, clean infrastructure, water stewardship, carbon, circularity, zero waste, etc. Be sure to tailor to your area(s) of interest and/or expertise. 🌱Follow folks who regularly post sustainability job round ups. Some are recruiters and some are people who like to spread the good word. Good ones include: Steve Taylor, Ed Carley, Shannon Houde, MBA, PCC, Radhika Bhatt, Alisha Michaels, Rafael Achondo, Justin Daugherty, Afton Thompson, Danielle Aberg, Allison Rogers. Good recruitment firms include Brightsmith, Climate17 | B Corp™, Storm4, Piper Maddox, Dylan Green, Acre, Weinreb Group Sustainability Recruiting, and EnergeiaWorks. Know of others? Tag them in the comments! 𝐆𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐉𝐨𝐛 🌱A lot of folks ask me how they can get into sustainability without direct experience. Here is what I advise them to do: (1) focus on transferable skills (2) dive deep and learn all you can about sustainability (3) be clear on your why. These actions will help hiring managers see how you can deliver for their programs, and show why you care about this subject and are a good fit. Tailor your resume to each role to help them see more clearly why they should hire you! 🌱"Do I need a certificate?" I love learning and education, but I am not big on certifications. Sure they could help and potentially intro you to alum networks, but it really isn't necessary. They can be expensive and if you are strapped for cash (in this economy!), they likely won't move the needle enough to warrant the expense. If you are looking for a more formal education, programs like Clean Energy Leadership Institute and USGBC - LEED Green Associate (GA) and LEED AP are good options. Trellis Group has a thorough list on their website (link in comments) 🌱Find your voice. I love writing about sustainability, why I care about it, and how I got to where I am in my career journey. LinkedIn is a fantastic platform to showcase your unique insights and background, so just start posting! Just be sure to use your own authentic voice and don't rely on AI to generate content. AI has exceptional uses but hiring managers don't want read something regurgitated from a chatbot; they want to hear from YOU - their potential team member. 🔋What has helped you level up and land sustainability roles? 🔋 #sustainability #sustainabilityjobs #greenjobs #hiring #jobsearch #jobhunting #career #careeradvice #careertips #linkedintips