Sustainability Careers: Jobs, Outlook, and Tips

Care about the environment and want to make a difference but not sure where to start? You’re in the right place.

A career in sustainability could be the perfect fit for you, offering value-driven work where you can make a positive impact on your community (and the Earth).

If you’re thinking about pursuing a career in sustainability, we’re here to help.

In this article we’ll go over:

• The outlook for careers in sustainability
• What career paths you can take
• How to set yourself up for success
• Where to find sustainability jobs
• Frequently asked questions about sustainability careers

Let’s get started.

Sustainability career outlook

With job growth on the rise, the outlook for sustainability jobs is overwhelmingly good.

In the World Economic Forum’s 2023 Future of Jobs Report, they predict that rising trends toward sustainability (such as consumer demand, greater application of ESG standards, green transition investment, and climate change adaptation investment) will drive significant job growth.

While it’s difficult to measure the precise growth of sustainability jobs (as definitions vary), all evidence suggests that we’re seeing a societal shift toward a greater focus on sustainability, with a growing demand for talent to support it.

So if you want to pursue work in sustainability, there’ll be plenty of opportunities for career growth.

Sustainability career paths

Because sustainability is important for so many industries, there are many types of sustainability jobs you can choose from.

There are two very basic pathways for careers in sustainability: sustainable development and sustainability management. We’ll go over both below (as well as an alternative third path).

Sustainable development careers

Careers in sustainable development are focused on ensuring responsible development that protects the environment and livelihood of future generations, while mitigating the impact of climate change.

This includes careers in:

• Agriculture and forestry
• Conservation
• Education
• Government and policy
• Infrastructure, energy and engineering
• Product design and development
• Science and research

Careers in these fields are often highly specialized and require specific credentials, education, training, and technical skills.

Here are some common sustainable development jobs, with average salary ranges (taken from salary.com):

Careers in sustainability management

Careers in sustainability management usually operate on the corporate managerial level. These positions focus on improving sustainability in business practices and outcomes – whether through consulting on business strategy, guaranteeing sustainable sourcing, or ensuring proper compliance with relevant laws and regulations.

Sustainability management careers vary in scope, and some are more heavily focused on sustainable social and economic (as well as environmental) outcomes.

Here are a few sustainability management jobs, with corresponding salary ranges:

Alternative careers in sustainability

The two basic categories above represent the jobs most commonly classified as “sustainability jobs”, however you shouldn’t feel limited to these career paths.

There are so many different ways to promote sustainability in your work, and you can always create your own sustainability career.

If you’re entrepreneurial, consider opening a bulk goods store, a second-hand store, or a bicycle repair shop – whatever aligns with your passions.

Green entrepreneurship is growing fast and taking place outside of traditionally “green” industries, according to LinkedIn’s 2022 Global Green Skills Report, so if you have an idea for a green business now could be a great time to get started.

Remember, your job title doesn’t need to have the word “sustainability” in it to make it a sustainability career.

How to prepare for a sustainability career

To build the sustainability career of your dreams, you need a plan.

Here are four tips to help you set yourself up for success.

1. Pursue education

Most sustainability jobs will require a relevant degree or specific training, so getting a degree in your chosen field will be a big asset in your job search later on.

If you’re not looking to study sustainability itself (if you’re going for an engineering degree, for instance), try to find a program in your area of interest that offers a concentration in sustainability.

Here are some degrees in sustainability that can help you carve out your career path.

Certifications

Higher education isn’t the only path to a career in sustainability. There’s a large (and growing) number of certifications for professionals who want to work in sustainability.

If you’ve already gotten a college degree, certifications can be a great way to round out your qualifications and demonstrate your expertise to employers.

Here are a few certifications you can get to advance a career in sustainability:

2. Develop your sustainability skill set

According to LinkedIn’s 2022 Global Green Skills Report, job postings requiring green skills grew 8% each year from 2017-2022, while the share of green talent grew at only 6%.

That means a large skill gap between role requirements and talent, resulting in a slower shift toward a sustainable economy.

Having a robust set of sustainability skills will make you a competitive candidate. You should develop both the soft skills and hard skills needed for a role in sustainability.

Hard skills are the abilities you gain through hands-on experience or training, like proficiency in specific software or programming languages. For a sustainability career, hard skills could be solar panel installation or sustainable product design.

Here’s a list of sustainability hard skills that’ll help make you a top choice for employers:

Soft skills are your personality traits and strengths that impact how you interact with others as well as how you approach work, like communication skills.

According to a recent study conducted by the Resume Genius research department, 48% of employers believe soft skills are a must-have in a candidate, while 28% believe that they’re even more important than a candidate’s hard skills.

Here are some important soft skills for a career in sustainability:

Once you know what skills to develop, find ways to learn and practice them, whether that means taking an online course about the circular economy or overcoming your fear of presenting by delivering regular practice talks to your family.

3. Network with professionals in climate and sustainability

One of the best ways to build a successful sustainability career is to network with like-minded professionals. Networking will provide you with opportunities for learning and growth as well as help you make valuable connections that can land you a job.

Joining professional associations, attending sustainability workshops and conferences, and even finding local sustainable businesses where you can meet the owner or employees are all great places to start.

There are also several online communities of professionals supporting the transition to a green economy. Here’s a short list of sustainability communities and networks you can get involved in:

• BSR
• ClimateAction.tech
• Green Latinos
• My Climate Journey
• Net Impact
• Work on Climate
• Women and Climate

4. Use social media

Social media is a popular recruitment tool, and a great place to learn about potential employers, find professional opportunities, and make helpful connections.

LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are particularly useful platforms for job hunting. Choose one or two to focus your efforts around, then use these tips:

• Tailor your profile (using relevant keywords) so that it targets the job you want and increases your chances of getting seen by recruiters.
• Follow companies you’re interested in to get a better idea of the company culture, values, and day-to-day operations.
• Follow hashtags that will bring more job opportunities to your feed, for example: #sustainabilityjobs
• Connect with employees at your target companies and reach out with questions or let them know about your interest. Employee referrals have a high applicant-to-conversion rate.
• Engage and interact with content in the career space you’re aiming for to show recruiters you’re motivated.

Where to find jobs in sustainability

There are many job boards and directories dedicated to jobs in sustainability and climate work.

Here are a few helpful links to get you started:

Green job boards & Directories

• Climatebase
• Climate Draft
• Climate Jobs List
• Climate People
• Conservation Job Board
• CTVC
• Ecojobs
• Environmental Career
• Enviro.work
• GreenBiz
• Idealist
• naturetech.io
• Sustainability Leads
• Terra.do
• Work in Green

Additional resources

• ClimateTech Starter Pack
• Work on Climate Starter Packs
• 80,000 Hours

Frequently asked questions about sustainability careers

Below we offer answers to some frequently asked questions about careers in sustainability.

How do you break into the sustainability field?

You can break into the sustainability field by honing your skills and qualifications, finding opportunities for experience, and making the right connections.

• Consider getting a relevant certification or taking courses to develop your sustainability skills.
• Gaining some experience through volunteer work is a great way to showcase your professional abilities and strengthen your resume.
• Use tools like social media and online communities to connect with professionals in the sustainability field.

Is sustainability a good career path?

Sustainability is a good career path if you’re seeking a fulfilling, values-driven profession and believe in the importance of sustainable development and corporate responsibility.

Depending on what role you go for, you can make a good living with a sustainability career (see our list of sustainability careers and salary bands). The green job market is growing, along with job openings for sustainability specialists, so there will be an increasing need for skilled talent.

What are the career areas of sustainability?

There are many career areas where you can find jobs in sustainability. Here are some key sectors where sustainability jobs are common:

• Agriculture
• Business
• Climate tech
• Conservation
• Energy & infrastructure
• Fashion
• Government & NGOs
• Law & policy
• Science & research

What degree do you need for sustainability careers?

What degree you need for a sustainability career depends on your chosen field or industry. For example, if you’re applying for work as a solar engineer, an environmental engineering degree would be best.

If you want to become a sustainability consultant or specialist, you should look for a degree in sustainability studies or sustainable business.

Whatever your desired career, choose the most relevant and fitting degree program to help you reach your professional goals.