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Recap: Entry Level Careers in Sustainability by Jamal Lea

Updated: May 5

Portraits of two men (Rayaan Farah and Jamal Lea) with text: Entry Level Careers in Sustainability. Event details: "Sun 23rd Feb 3PM GMT." Green and yellow accents with a recycle logo in the background.

The transition to a more sustainable future has increased the need for net-zero careers. So, how can you obtain an entry level career in sustainability? In our latest session, Jamal Lea, a sustainability professional with over a decade of experience provided expert insights and actionable tips to secure a career in sustainability.




  1. Diverse Career Paths in Sustainability

The sustainability sector offers a wide range of career opportunities, many of which don’t require a technical degree:

Sustainability Field

Required Degree

Renewable Energy

Chemical Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Electrical Engineering

Chemistry

Physics

Sustainable Construction

Civil Engineering

Environmental Engineering

Construction Management

Project Management

Green Finance

Accounting and Finance

Economics

Green Products

Product Design

Social Value

No defined degree but this is a non-technical field which allows multiple degree backgrounds

Note: This table serves as a general guide, but the sustainability sector is flexible, and many roles welcome different degrees especially in non-technical fields. Also, sustainability apprenticeships are available for those who did not go to university.


  1. Importance of Soft Skills in Sustainability

Technical knowledge alone isn’t enough to succeed in the sustainability sector. Jamal emphasised the importance of developing your soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and adaptability. Through gaining practical experience whether its volunteering or extracurricular activities will build your soft skills!


Learn more about soft skills? Read our blog now and learn how to elevate yourself further!


An infographic titled Soft Skills with 6 icons with different colours. Text above the icons are "Communication", "Adaptability", "Time Management", "Problem-Solving", "Teamwork" and "Emotional Intelligence".














  1. Strategies for Career Success

Jamal shared practical tips for standing out in the competitive sustainability job market:

  • Unleash Your Passion: Initiatives like blogs or social media posts on sustainability topics can showcase passion and a proactive nature.

  • Networking is Key: As a student or graduate, you can join professional organisations for free or at a reduced cost. They offer networking events or have online forums to network with other like-minded professionals. Examples include the Energy Institute or the Institute for Social Value.


    Homepage for the Institute for Social Value. Two women smiling, sitting indoors in conversation with each other. Text reads: "Changing the way the world accounts for value." Blue and teal geometric background.


  • Strategise Your Job Search: Hone your job search into industries that hire many sustainability professionals. These industries include construction, renewable energy, government just to name a few.


Struggling with your job search? Learn how to set yourself up for success from your peers!


Panellists Josh Dulku, Rejwanul Alom, and Timi Adefolu featured on a "Career After Graduation" poster with bold yellow text. Background of graduates tossing caps.







Text of "National Apprenticeship Week" on a diagonal blue background. There are gear icons and a handshake graphic surrounding the main text.









  1. A Bright Future Ahead!

There is tremendous growth currently in green jobs, with at least a million new roles expected in the UK by 2050 as stated by Jamal. If you want to secure a career that is long-lasting and has a tangible impact on society, sustainability is the career for you. So remain persistent, passionate, and proactive!


If you want to learn more about sustainability, feel free to connect with Jamal below:


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