Finding Work in Sustainability Course
A self-paced online course designed to help people start their career in sustainability.
We often get asked for tips on how you enter the field of sustainability, as a student or as a professional trying to make a career switch. We’ve developed an accessible, online course, “Finding work in sustainability”, which includes a series of videos, worksheets, resources, and tips for the sustainability jobseeker. This course is built from years of experience working and moving in the field ourselves, working with sustainability jobseekers of different seniority levels and as hiring managers. While this course is structured for the needs of a BIPOC/BAME sustainability jobseeker who typically has less access to career services, we believe it is broadly applicable to anyone trying to enter the sector.
Who is this course for?
1.
Students looking to enter the field of sustainability
2.
Career switchers who want to move from their current field into sustainability
3.
Existing sustainability practitioners who need a refresher
What does this course cover?
The modules in this course include:
1. Understanding your skills, strengths and personality
The first step, which is the most important one - is to take the time to understand who you are - your skills, strengths and personality.
1A. Inventorying Your Skills
1B. Finding Your Strengths
1C. Understanding Your Personality Type
2. Finding Your Focus and Value in Sustainability
After you’ve taken the time to determine your skills, strengths, and personality, take the time to see where they could make a difference in the sustainability landscape.
2A. Narrowing Your Interests in Sustainability and Determining Where You Add Value
2B. Setting Up Your LinkedIn Profile
2C. Practicing For Informational Interviews
3. Applying for jobs
Now take what you learned in Modules 1 and 2 to prepare for your job hunt.
3A. Tailoring Your Resume/CV to Sustainability Roles
3B. Writing Cover Letters for Sustainability Roles
3C. Practicing For Context-Based Interviews
3D. Practicing With Supplementary Interview Questions
3E. Researching the Company You’re Interviewing For
3F. Differentiating Yourself by Sending a Thank You
3G. Negotiating a Fair Salary For Yourself
3H. The Last Step: Setting Your References Up for Success
Course Testimonials
“This is a great tool for someone who is looking to start or switch their careers into sustainability. I really like the salary negotiations sheet as we know the job market fluctuates a lot. It’s helpful to know this information about the role I want to pursue.”
Meet Your Instructor, Heather Mak!
Heather Mak is the co-founder of Diversity in Sustainability, and has spent 15 years in the field of sustainability in many different roles - in-house in a corporate setting, as an independent consultant, as a consultant within a Big 4 firm, as a lobbyist, as a leader and employee of a non-profit. She has also had experience moving to other countries to work in sustainability and has lectured at the Master’s level. Heather has helped connect many people to new roles and opportunities, and was a hiring manager for multiple roles and a people manager for several teams.
With the course, she is sharing the best of her knowledge to help you navigate your superpowers and provide you strategies to help you land your desired sustainability role.
Frequently Asked Questions
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We have tried to make this course as financially accessible as possible with the pricing, but recognize that others may still need some support. Please contact us with details of your circumstances and we will try to help you out with a scholarship - our email is info@diversityinsustainability.com.
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The course is self-paced, and you have access to it and the salary database for a year. Each module has an explanation video and an accompanying worksheet. Please note, the first part of the series requires a bit of time and introspection to understand yourself better, so these may take a few hours or a few days of your time to brainstorm. The section 3 modules are task-specific to your job hunt so may be faster to complete.
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If you would like some feedback or a meeting with someone on the DIversity in Sustainabiity team, we can offer it for an additional fee. Another option is for you to join DiS Circle as a member, where you can ask the community for feedback as you navigate your own journey in sustainability.
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Yes, if you are a member of DiS Circle, this course is included as part of your membership. This page is for people who would like to take the course separately without joining DiS Circle.
Pricing
$250 CAD
+tax
(Approximately $185 USD or €170 or £150 based on exchange rates March 2024.)
Access to the course is available for one year and you may take the course at your own pace. In addition to the course, course participants will also have access to Diversity in Sustainability’s salary database, which has thousands of salary data points across a range of geographies and seniority levels, to help you negotiate your remuneration package.