Looking for a job in sustainability? With sustainability hitting the mainstream, there’s a lot of demand for professional workers who have the skills and passion required to take the industry to the next level. As it stands, the eco industry is worth a staggering $14 billion, and that’s expected to increase significantly in the coming years thanks to a 19% CAGR between now and 2023.
In other words, the future of sustainability is bright. However, while there will be more roles than ever, getting one of those jobs can be challenging. After all, it’s an appealing industry to work in. But it’s not impossible. In this post, we’ll look at some handy tips that can help you land a role in the blossoming sector.
Explore the Opportunities
Before you launch your job search, it’s best to investigate the eco industry as a whole. This is a large, large industry that has many different components. In fact, as the world transitions to a more eco-friendly way of operating, you can find sustainability jobs in just about every sector, including financial services, energy, and healthcare, to name just three. In the early days of your research, take a look at all that’s available and then take it from there. Essentially, you’ll be looking for work either with a sustainable-first company or with an existing operation that needs to make the transition.
Understand What Role Would Suit You
As we said above, the environmental sector is huge. In fact, you can find eco-related roles in just about every sector. While the end goal of each role — making the world more sustainable — remains the same, how they achieve it will differ. It’s recommended to take the time to understand what role would suit you best. Taking a test that helps you make sense of your interests and capabilities, such as the Strong Interest Inventory Test, can help to nudge you towards the roles that make the most sense for you. Once you have this understanding, you can begin looking for specific roles, secure in the knowledge that you have what it takes to succeed.
Make Sustainability a Foundational Part of Your Life
In many cases, they say that there should be a division between your personal and professional lives. But there are some roles that are exempt from this general rule, and eco roles definitely fall into that category. You’ll find it much easier to succeed in the industry if eco-friendliness is a foundational part of your life. For instance, you should live an eco-friendly life yourself, or volunteer with environmental agencies. Both of these things will demonstrate a passion for the well-being of the planet, which is essential for success in the industry. You can also generally keep up with the industry by following relevant social media profiles or signing up for industry newsletters, which help you to have your finger on the pulse of all that’s happening in the world of sustainability.
Get Your Foot In the Door
Sometimes, it’s best to get your foot in the door in the interest rather than waiting for the perfect role. Once you’re working within the industry, you’ll find it much easier to make connections and progress, so don’t worry if your initial job isn’t everything that you want it to be. It can simply be viewed as a stepping stone towards the types of jobs that you want to do later on. One particularly recommended tip is to get yourself into the industry and then begin working on a post-graduate degree that’ll open up a world of more senior roles.
Be Versatile and Open
Remember that the sustainability industry is still relatively young, and as such there’s not really a linear progression pathway that can take you to the top. Having a degree of versatility and openness is key towards finding success when securing a job in sustainability. For instance, you might find that it’s worthwhile taking a job in a foreign country for a short period while you gain your experience, before moving back. Take a look at all opportunities available to you, and don’t discount stepping outside of your comfort zone to get them.
Remember: It’s a Growing Industry
Finally, when looking for your job in sustainability, keep in mind that you will have to be patient when looking to work in the sustainability industry. It’s a growing industry, one that’ll be much bigger in 5 – 10 years than it is today. So don’t get discouraged if you don’t instantly find work. Stay patient, and it’ll come!
