Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Sustainability Professionals
Casey, a Sr Manager Sustainability at Protiviti, suggests that entry-level sustainability positions, like "sustainability coordinator" or "sustainability specialist," are "pretty abundant" in consulting and coordination and that the nascent nature of the industry allows newcomers to enter at a similar level to others and to build hard skills along the way. According to them, showcasing "passion" and personal value during an interview is more important than specific project experience because passion "you can't teach."
Sustainability Consulting, Entry-Level Positions, Passion and Values, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance), Sustainability Coordination
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Casey Junod
Sr Manager Sustainability
Protiviti
San Jose State University
UCLA - Anderson
Environmental & Related Sciences
Climate, Environment, Sustainability & Waste Management
Consulting
LGBTQ
Video Highlights
1. Entry-level positions in sustainability consulting or coordination are abundant and don't necessarily require specific experience in corporate sustainability.
2. The sustainability field is relatively new and evolving, offering opportunities for individuals to enter at a similar level as many others.
3. Passion and personal value for sustainability are highly valued and can be more impactful in an interview than specific project experience, as skills can be taught.
Transcript
What entry-level positions are there in this field that an undergraduate or graduate student might consider?
Entry-level positions are pretty abundant in sustainability consulting or sustainability coordination. It doesn't really require experience or expertise in corporate sustainability.
Because it spreads such a wide umbrella, you can mold job experience to what that might look like, especially if you're trying to break in at an entry level. You can find roles like sustainability coordinator or sustainability specialist.
Some consulting firms also have specific sustainability or ESG practices you can tap into. So, there's a lot of opportunity to break in at a very entry level.
This is a nascent industry, being built as we speak. There's a lot of opportunity to jump in and be at a similar level as many others who are also joining.
It doesn't really require a lot of hard skills to come in; those are built along the way. But if this is an area where you find a lot of passion or derive personal value, showcasing that upfront in an interview speaks more volumes than listing specific projects. Relatable experience is important, but you can teach skills; you can't teach passion.
Advizer Personal Links
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseyjunod/