From Imperial to Impact

About me

Growing up around the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, USA, I developed a love for animals and the outdoors at an early age. As I learned more about climate change and the threats it poses to nature and humans alike, I committed to a career in sustainability to help create a healthier, more resilient and more vibrant world.

Choosing Imperial’s MSc Climate Change, Management & Finance programme

In pursuit of this goal, I chose to study the MSc Climate Change, Management & Finance in 2022 to understand how financial systems can catalyse sustainability efforts, and how achieving ambitious environmental goals can yield better business results.

My Imperial education was immediately practical, with topical core modules such as “Impacts and Adaptations to Climate Change”, taught by world-renowned scientists and business experts. Complementing what I learned in the classroom is the inspiration and camaraderie I continue to feel from fellow peers: a supportive community of students and alumni fuelled by a shared commitment to a more sustainable world.

My career journey after graduating

When I first stepped foot on the South Kensington campus, I had a million ideas of potential careers swirling in my head. The Careers team was instrumental in helping me narrow my focus and identify job opportunities aligned with my strengths through one-to-one conversations, industry workshops, and employer events such as the Climate Careers Fair.

Imperial offers Careers coaching, which increased my confidence to proactively initiate informational interviews and expand my network through LinkedIn. Imperial – and particularly MSc Climate Change, Management & Finance – alumni are everywhere in the sustainability space. Connecting over a shared academic background quickly helps coffee chats feel conversational, and it was through these discussions with alumni and classmates that I found my job.

Working in sustainability comes with its challenges, including wading through a seemingly constant barrage of pessimistic headlines about missed climate targets and temperature records. Despite this, I find glimmers of optimism in every conversation I have with fellow hardworking sustainability professionals, steadfast in our stalwart effort to make an impact and recognising every success, no matter how small, is a step towards a better world. It’s deeply rewarding when those successes come to fruition and the environment and economy are stronger as a result.

Imperial's support

In my experience, the job search requires a concoction of perseverance, grit, and a sprinkling of luck. Thanks to the Careers team’s support and the Business School alumni network, I landed my job at Orbis Advisory, a boutique sustainability consultancy where I’m now a Development Manager. My Imperial degree helped my application stand out when I applied, and thanks to introductions made through the Business School alumni network, I landed my role. My MSc Climate Change, Management & Finance education contributes directly to my work; much of what I learned in “Carbon Accounting and Reporting” is practically relevant for my day-to-day tasks of calculating carbon footprints, devising decarbonisation strategies, and assisting clients with regulatory compliance.

My advice to anyone seeking a job in the sustainability sector

I would advise anyone seeking a job in the sustainability sector to realise sustainability can – and should – be integrated into any role, not just those that say it in the job title. Many firms’ sustainability teams are becoming less siloed and more interwoven into the fabric of the business; this is an opportunity for students in all fields of study and professionals from any background to contribute to sustainability efforts. Whether you have a PhD in climate science, want to capitalise on investment opportunities, or simply love animals and are interested in helping out, your perspective is needed and has a role to play.

Making sustainability a personal habit

In addition, there are myriad ways to make sustainability a personal habit. I find it useful to ask myself, “is there a more sustainable way to do this?” when going about my daily routine to identify small habits, such as sorting my rubbish, as well as larger lifestyle changes, such as reducing meat consumption, that ease the strain on the environment.

The accumulation of these efforts, coupled with systemic changes from businesses and governments, are needed to solve the challenge of climate change. In addition to voting, being a mindful consumer and supporting businesses that commit to ambitious sustainability goals can be an effective way to make your voice heard. There are many resources, such as the Grantham Institute’s Action Hub, that provide useful recommendations from experts on how to make a difference.

Sustainability is a marathon, and addressing the urgency of the climate crisis requires us to sprint. Working together, we can take greater strides towards building a more prosperous world for all.