What Can I Do With This Concentration? – Sustainable Business
Sustainable Business combines traditional business principles and practices with a focus on environmental, social and ethical considerations – opening the doors to a wide range of impactful careers. It equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to address pressing global challenges such as climate change, resource depletion, social inequality and corporate responsibility.
Below are some possible career areas for Sustainable Business majors, including possible job titles, types of employers that hire for those roles, and strategies to help you launch your career.
Common Career Paths
- Corporate Sustainability Officer
- Sustainability Program Manager
- ESG Analyst
- Sustainability Consultant
Employers
- Large corporations with dedicated sustainability teams
- Management consulting firms with sustainability practices
- Government agencies focused on green business programs
- Nonprofit organizations advocating for corporate responsibility
- Businesses with an emerging focus on sustainability
Strategies
- Pursue internships working on sustainability analysis or project implementation
- Build expertise in sustainability metrics, reporting standards, and compliance regulations.
- Develop project management skills to lead sustainability initiatives.
- Gain experience with stakeholder engagement and communication strategies.
- Join sustainability-focused professional associations to stay current with industry trends.
Common Career Paths
- Sustainability Reporting Analyst
- ESG Reporting Specialist
- Sustainability Accountant
- Environmental Auditor
Employers
- Accounting and finance firms with sustainability practices
- Large corporations with sustainability reporting needs
- Government agencies
- Consulting firms with dedicated sustainability teams (ex: Deloitte)
Strategies
- Gain experience with sustainability reporting frameworks, such as GRI, IFRS FSA, and TCFD.
- Develop strong analytical skills to assess and report on environmental and social impacts.
- Learn about financial accounting principles and how they intersect with sustainability.
- Pursue internships in accounting firms or corporate sustainability departments.
- Stay updated on regulatory changes and emerging trends in sustainability reporting.
Common Career Paths
- Environmental Health and Safety Specialist
- Sustainability Coordinator
- Pollution Prevention Analyst
- Environmental Compliance Officer
- Green Business Program Manager
Employers
- Manufacturing companies
- Environmental consulting firms
- Government agencies
- Nonprofit organizations
- Corporations with sustainability initiatives
Strategies
- Gain experience through internships, volunteer work, or part-time positions in environmental health and safety or sustainability roles.
- Develop strong skills in environmental management, regulatory compliance, and pollution prevention techniques.
- Build expertise in sustainable manufacturing practices and operations.
- Learn about environmental laws and regulations relevant to pollution prevention.
- Network through professional associations such as the National Association for Environmental Management (NAEM) and attend industry conferences.
Common Career Paths
- Sustainability Startup Founder
- Sustainability Coordinator
- Program Manager
- Product Education / Sales
Employers
- Self-employed
- Startup ventures and small businesses
- Business coming out of incubators and accelerators
- University tech-transfer offices
Strategies
- Gain experience through internships with startups or entrepreneurial ventures.
- Develop a solid understanding of business fundamentals, including finance, marketing, and operations.
- Learn about sustainable business models and impact measurement.
- Network with other entrepreneurs and potential investors.
- Stay current with trends and innovations in sustainable products and services.
Common Career Paths
- Environmental Consultant
- Sustainability Consultant
- Sustainability Analyst
Employers
- Environmental consulting firms
- Engineering firms
- Government agencies
- Nonprofit organizations
- Corporations with environmental compliance needs
Strategies
- Gain experience through internships, volunteer work, or part-time positions with consulting firms or environmental organizations.
- Develop strong skills in environmental assessment, data analysis, and regulatory compliance.
- Gain experience with sustainability reporting frameworks, such as GRI, IFRS FSA, and TCFD.
- Learn to conduct environmental impact assessments and site investigations.
- Build expertise in specific areas such as air and water quality, soil contamination, or ecological restoration.
Common Career Paths
- Program Coordinator
- Fundraising and Development Specialist
- Community Outreach Manager
- Social Enterprise Manager
- Nonprofit Consultant
Employers
- Nonprofit organizations
- Foundations and grant-making organizations
- Social enterprises
- Government agencies
- International NGOs
Strategies
- Gain experience through internships, volunteer work, or part-time positions in nonprofit organizations.
- Develop strong skills in fundraising, grant writing, and donor relations.
- Build expertise in program development, implementation, and evaluation.
- Learn about social impact measurement and reporting.
- Network through professional associations such as the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance and attend industry conferences.