This past decade, sustainable thinking has evolved from the image of simply doing good to being linked to profitability. Leading organizations nowadays finally see corporate sustainability as an advantage.
As companies changed and advanced along the maturity line (from an operational, compliance model to a senior-level, strategic and external collaboration focus model), their sustainability practitioners evolve too, to meet new priorities, responsibilities, and corporate requirements.
Over the many years that I have worked in the field as an advisor and strategist, I have witnessed many interesting behaviors on how to push your professional career forward. Did life get easier for sustainability professionals? It mainly depends on how proactive you are.
Four tips to reach the next level in your career.
- Jobs are dynamic and they change over time meeting new requirements of your organization. So the first thing to do is to ask yourself ‘Does my job description describe what I’ve been doing for the past three years or does it underestimate the work you’re doing for this company’? If your job description doesn’t match the work, it’s time to hold a meeting with your manager.
- Develop your skills. Since sustainability is a broad field in constant evolution, it is good to know what your options are to make a difference within the company. There are different approaches you can take and they can vary between positions as a Sustainable Business Facilitator, Sustainable Product Manager or Supply Chain Expert. Other job titles include Sustainability Science Adviser, Chief Sustainability Officer, and Corporate Environmental Responsibility Manager.
- Become a marketer who focuses on sharing the sustainable story. When businesses create a new product or service, that is financially solid and eco-responsible, they need to tell the story of its environmental sustainable value. Your CEO will continue to invest in this type of work and you will be recognized as your organization’s Green Ambassador. Whatever your job is, make sure that you dedicate enough time to Storytelling.
- Create your Green (Dream) Team. If your company hasn’t formally set up a sustainability staff position or department, the making of green employee teams or committees is a great route to sustainability. This is where you can make a big difference. Talk to your supervisor and explain the benefit of building teams with multiple skills and different work responsibilities.
Follow these 4 tips; they will provide you with the fuel you need for essential transition and stepping up your career.