Careers in Sustainability
There are a growing number of job opportunities that have a sustainability focus and students from all academic disciplines can enter this sector. During our Careers in Sustainability Week (26-29 February 2024) students had the opportunity to hear from alumni and employers about some of the exciting roles on offer and speak to employers and alumni.
Events during the week included
- Careers in Carbon, Climate and Energy Alumni Panel - watch back the recording below
- Investing to improve Climate Change with Investment 2020 - check out their website to find roles all year round!
- Employer Drop-in - research them online to find out about upcoming opportunities
British International Investment's Climate Change Team also offered some helpful advice for students interested in this sector:
- Embrace the subject: There is wealth of blog, paper, events and podcasts on the subject. Find a topic you are passionate about (carbon credits, e-mobility etc.) and become an expert.
- Be an optimist: The size of the challenge can be pretty daunting and to tackle it will take resilience. However, lots of amazing things are happening already (Global renewable energy capacity grew by the fastest pace in the last 20 years in 2023) and conquering the problem will take time and speed (years of effort working at pace). Hope and patient optimism is essential.
- Its about people: Even though on the surface climate crisis seems to be one of GHG emissions, extreme weather, fossil fuels and science at its core its about people. It’s about how we choose to treat our planet and the natural world. There are many different voices on how we should do this – some of which come from deep cultural or political perspectives. Greening the economy is more about engaging with people than science. Being able to listen, understand, appreciate and create consensus around common mutually beneficial goals is a key skill.
Recordings to watch back
Mark Berry, Head of Sustainability at Royal Holloway, hosted an alumni panel to explore careers and opportunities in climate policy, carbon management, energy efficiency and renewable energy.
The energy sector is making its global transition away from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources (eg, solar, wind, hydropower, ocean, geothermal and biomass). Opportunities in the energy and environmental sectors are expanding as the transition to a sustainable, circular, low-carbon economy is accelerating across the world.
Panel speakers:
Michael Williams - Low Carbon Content Developer at Gemserv (MSc Media, Power & Public Affairs 2022)
Emily Teklu - Environmental & Carbon Sustainability Engineer at Thames Water (BSc Geology, Earth Science 2020)
Watch the recording
Hear from alumni who have secured roles with a environmental/sustainability focus. Hear about the importance of environmental sustainability across all sectors. This panel is introduced and led by Prof Sigrun M. Wagner
Speakers:
Monica Addison (2011 MSc Sustainability & Management, Business Administration & Management) - Technical Manager - PWC
Daniela Arroyo-Olson (2016 Management, Sustainability Studies) - Co-Founder - Ecofye
Samuel Bullock (2020 Physics) - NetZero Consultant - Deloitte
Ben McCallan (2001 Geography) - Senior Climate Officer - Surrey County Council & Charity Chair - Zero Carbon Guildford
Watch the recording
Resources
The Carbon Literacy Project - lots of useful information and courses available.