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Karen, Senior Manager of Sustainability at Global Events Company: Advize Career Interview
A high school internship sparked a career journey culminating in a Senior Manager of Sustainability role at a global events company.
The path involved entrepreneurial ventures and event planning, fueled by a realization of the industry's wastefulness.
The work is dynamic, demanding organizational and communication skills, alongside adaptability and a capacity for both big-picture thinking and meticulous detail.
A key challenge is the rapidly evolving field of sustainability regulations, yet the rewards include creating impactful, scalable solutions and witnessing event transformations from chaos to magic.
Entry-level opportunities abound, from event coordination to sustainability-focused volunteering and fellowships.
The interviewee's journey highlights the importance of persistence, self-advocacy, and finding fulfillment even when tasks feel routine, while emphasizing the growing need for creative, analytical, and resilient individuals in the sustainable events industry.
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Job Title
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Karen Young
Senior Manager of Sustainability
Global Events Company
Texas State University
n/a
Film, Media Arts, Visual Arts
Professional Services
Climate, Environment and Sustainability
Honors Student, Worked 20+ Hours in School
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Career Path of a Senior Manager of Sustainability at Freeman
Karen's career journey, beginning with a high school internship at WFAA that revealed television wasn't for them, led to a radio internship at Clear Channel, which sparked an interest in production. This ultimately culminated in a Senior Manager of Sustainability role at Freeman, after entrepreneurial ventures, event planning experience, and a pivotal realization that "events are incredibly wasteful," prompting a career shift towards sustainable event practices.
Main Responsibilities of a Senior Manager of Sustainability at Global Events Company
Karen's main responsibilities as Senior Manager of Sustainability at Freeman involve supporting event teams in sourcing sustainable materials and suppliers, "building standard operating procedures" for internal employees and clients, and ensuring everyone works towards shared sustainability goals; the daily tasks are dynamic and vary depending on client needs and evolving operational demands.
A Day In The Life Of A Senior Manager Of Sustainability At A Global Events Company
A senior manager of sustainability's day-to-day work is highly varied, as the role demands expertise across all company functions—"every job's a climate job"—requiring constant learning and collaboration with other teams. This involves continuous skill development, such as Karen's recent exploration of the company's caravan program and freight logistics, highlighting the dynamic and interdisciplinary nature of the position.
Most Important Skills For A Senior Manager Of Sustainability At Global Events Company
A Senior Manager of Sustainability at a Global Events Company prioritizes "organization" and "communication" to ensure "everyone's on the same page," especially given the fast-paced, ever-changing nature of event planning. The ability to "pivot at a drop of a hat," handling both "big picture and small details," is crucial for success in this role, showcasing adaptability as a key professional skill.
Favorite Parts Of Being A Senior Manager Of Sustainability At A Global Events Company
Karen's current role allows her to leverage years of experience as a sustainable event planner, "using all of that information...and turn it into something that's scalable" at a company that produces large-scale events. This allows Karen to utilize their industry perspective from both the client and production sides, making a significant positive impact.
Biggest Challenges Faced by a Senior Manager of Sustainability at a Global Events Company
Karen's biggest challenge as Senior Manager of Sustainability is the constant flux of the field, with new regulations appearing daily requiring a rapid response from a large organization where "it's really hard to move quickly". This necessitates a difficult balancing act between urgent action and the necessary deliberation of impacting "massive amounts of people and workloads".
Favorite Parts of Working in the Events Industry as a Senior Manager of Sustainability
Karen, a Senior Manager of Sustainability at a global events company, loves the "addicting" nature of the industry, characterized by a close-knit community where "you work with all the same people in a different role." The most rewarding aspect is witnessing the transformation from "crazy chaos construction site" to a magical event, a process where the company, like "trade show fairies," creates this beautiful experience.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Events Industry According To A Senior Manager Of Sustainability At Global Events Company
Success in the sustainability field within global events requires a unique blend of "left and right brained skills," demanding both creativity and analytical thinking, along with the ability to foresee and prepare for various scenarios, developing "a solution for every single possible scenario." A "thick skin" is also essential to navigate the challenges inherent in this dynamic industry.
What a Senior Manager of Sustainability at Global Events Company Wishes They Had Known Before Entering Sustainability
Karen, a Senior Manager of Sustainability at a Global Events Company, reveals a key difference between event operations and sustainability work: the latter requires "relying on other people to dictate your deadlines," involves constant adaptation to changing regulations, and offers less frequent "shiny wins" compared to the immediate gratification of event-based tasks. This shift necessitates a different pace and approach to project management than the "task list" mentality prevalent in event operations.
Entry-level Positions for Aspiring Sustainability Professionals in Events
For entry-level event roles, many opportunities exist as coordinators, utilizing temp agencies for varied on-site work, gaining "insight into what big picture looks like". In sustainability, networking, volunteering (like with Open Door Climate), and exploring fellowship programs—such as the Environmental Defense Fund's Climate Core—offer pathways, even transforming existing roles to incorporate sustainable practices, as "so many companies are thinking about sustainability, but they don't know where to start".
Significant Career Lesson From a Sustainability Leader at Global Events Company
Karen, a Senior Manager of Sustainability, shared a significant career lesson: "sometimes work feels like work, and that's okay," accepting this reality empowers one to better focus their energy on aspects of their work that truly inspire them.
College Experiences That Helped a Senior Manager of Sustainability at a Global Events Company Succeed
Despite initial anxieties and a low-paying part-time job, Karen's proactive approach to securing a college radio DJ position, even when faced with initial rejection, proved pivotal. This experience taught the importance of persistence and self-advocacy, skills that clearly contributed to their successful career in a senior management role.
How Identity Has Influenced A Senior Manager Of Sustainability In A Global Events Company Career
Early career experiences in male-dominated fields taught Karen that "respect is everything," shaping a perspective of kindness and grace in leadership. The recent appointment of the company's first female CEO, starting July 1st, 2024, symbolizes a positive shift toward "acceptance of humans" and reinforces the importance of valuing individual capabilities.
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