Building a Career in Sustainability
Thinking of building a career in sustainability? Now is the best time!
Sustainability has moved from the back burner to a top priority in business. With the government moving towards mandating sustainability in financial and non-financial disclosures, companies find themselves in a race for talents in sustainability.
If you are exploring to build a career in sustainability, here are some things you may want to keep in mind.
Be Clear With What You Want to Focus On
The field of sustainability is a bit of a ‘catch-all’ type of study. Because the goal is to integrate sustainability in everything we do – from business to science and even the arts – we can be a sustainability practitioner practically in almost all fields of study.
If you want to look at areas of sustainability study in the Philippines, check out this link.
Think of the Kind of Impact You Want to Create
You may want to have a clear picture on the kind of impact you want to leave behind as your legacy one day. Asking yourself, “What is the ONE THING I would like to change for the better?” might help in finding your niche. Once you discover what makes your heart beat, you can then figure out if working for the public sector, non-profits, or a private corporation would be the best way to go.
Go Out There and Discover the Complex World of Sustainable Development
The ecosystem of sustainable development is the whole world. There is so much to learn and much to work on in such a short period of time. The clock is ticking. Make the most of your time by volunteering or being adventurous and taking jobs in different countries. Open your eyes and learn to see things from another man’s shoes. Because sustainability encompasses social, economic, and environmental issues, it can be as simple as not littering to as complicated as understanding the value systems and moral compass that guide a people group.
Finding Your Purpose and Hold on for Dear Life
We have heard gurus talk about finding our purpose or as Simon Sinek puts it, ‘Start with Why’. If you are setting your sights on building a career in sustainability, finding your WHY or your PURPOSE is your north star. A career in sustainability is more about the journey than reaching the mountain top. It is a never-ending pursuit of learning, serving, leading, and advocating. And when you are feeling a bit lost at sea in the middle of your careers, it is your purpose that will help you carry on.
If you would like to know if a career in sustainability is for you, then drop me a note in the comment box!
About Post Author
Author
Koleen Davila-Palaganas
Vice President for Sustainability at SM Investments Corporation, Asia’s Sustainability Superwoman Awardee, GRI Global Stakeholder Council Member, Board Member of Child Hope Philippines. http://koleendavila.com
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