Key Insights from the WCS Professional Development Workshop: Jumpstart your Sustainability Career with Transferable Skills

WRITTEN BY Maria Tooker

On May 17, 2024, Women in Cleantech and Sustainability hosted an impactful Professional Development Workshop focused on helping professionals transition into sustainability careers by leveraging their transferable skills. The event featured an expert panel including Cassie Layton, Leslie Petry, and Renee Johnstone, who shared their career journeys and strategies for making the leap into the sustainability field. With sustainability becoming an increasingly urgent global priority, building a thriving career in this space empowers professionals to make a difference while doing meaningful work. The panel was moderated by Pam Sammarco.

The workshop provided several valuable insights for professionals looking to pivot their careers towards sustainability:

1. Identify Your Transferable Skills: Conduct a self-assessment to identify your strengths, interests, and transferable skills that align with sustainability roles. Renee Johnstone emphasized the importance of highlighting “power skills” like problem-solving and grit. Invest in learning through courses, certifications, workshops, and practical experience to fill skill gaps.
2. Highlight Power Skills on Your Resume and LinkedIn: Emphasize skills like problem-solving, adaptability and grit on your resume and LinkedIn profile. Cassie Layton recommended asking colleagues for recommendations that showcase how you’ve applied these power skills in previous roles.
3. Be Intentional About Networking: Find out where you can meet employees of your target companies, such as at conferences and trade shows. Reach out to invite them to coffee to learn more about their work and the company. Join industry groups like WCS, attend events, and engage with the sustainability community.
4. Overcome Imposter Syndrome: Give yourself grace, celebrate your accomplishments, and learn from missteps. Leslie Petry shared how developing your emotional intelligence and self-awareness is key. Remember that everyone in sustainability is still learning as the field rapidly evolves.
5. Gain Practical Experience: Look for opportunities to take on sustainability projects and responsibilities in your current role. Volunteer for green initiatives to build skills and demonstrate your commitment. Cassie Layton took on sustainability-focused projects in previous marketing roles to gain relevant experience.
6. Stay on Top of Trends: Follow thought leaders, join industry associations, and attend events to stay current. Continuously educate yourself, as sustainability is a fast-moving field where best practices are still emerging. Leslie Petry emphasized the importance of being a lifelong learner.

The workshop also included an interactive breakout session where attendees discussed their own career transition journeys and challenges. Stasi shared how imposter syndrome was holding her back from proactively expanding her network, while others related similar experiences. The group brainstormed strategies to overcome those mental hurdles.

Participants also exchanged resources like workforce development programs, online climate tech communities, and job boards. They left with a roadmap of the career transition process, concrete next steps to take, and new connections to support them in their journey.

WCS is committed to providing these types of professional development opportunities to support our community in advancing their careers in sustainability. We’d love to hear about your own career transition experiences and insights! Share them with us on social media and tag WCS.

Check out our upcoming events and become a member to access workshops, networking, mentoring, and more as you navigate your own transition. Together we can drive the change needed for a more sustainable future! Get involved with WCS today and jumpstart your sustainability career.