Career Resource

"The question of reaching sustainability is not about if we will have enough energy, enough food, or other tangible resources - those we have. The question is: will there be enough leaders in time? - Dr. Göran Broman and Dr. Karl-Henrik Robèrt, MSLS programme founders

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In a beautiful town on the south eastern coast of Sweden future leaders are being taught using innovative learning practices combine deep learning of The Natural Step (the Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development) with the core skills and knowledge to help lever and lead change in countries spread over the planet.


BTH (Blekinge Institute of Technology) is home to one of the leading sustainability masters programmes, the Strategic Leadership towards Sustainability (MSLS) MSc. This groundbreaking programme recognizes that the global challenge of achieving a sustainable society requires cooperation across borders and disciplines and through its students brings together a rich diversity of perspectives and experiences to explore in the stimulating environment created by the programme and location.




To date more than 300 students, conversant in more than 30 languages and representing over 50 countries have graduated from the 1 year MSc (taught in English). They have brought a wealth of experience in finance, architecture, management, entrepreneurship, teaching, chemistry, arts, engineering, and many other fields to help share to tackle some of the difficult sustainability issues we currently face.



Using a solid scientific foundation, the programme begins by assessing and understanding society’s current sustainability challenges. Building on this foundation, the curriculum introduces complementary skills in strategic management, organisational learning and change, economics, engineering, and effective collaboration. Through both our internal expertise and our partnerships with external organisations, the MSLS programme draws on the latest research and expertise from world-leading sustainability practitioners.




"I am amazed at the depth of learning I experienced, especially around the theories and practices of strategic leadership. Such a rich environment to create your own learning journey and accelerate your skills in guiding clients through the change process toward sustainability. I don't know where in the 'outside world' I could have had access to the top practitioners in the fields of sustainability, leadership and organizational change than those offered through MSLS. My clients will certainly benefit from this deeper level of understanding, consciousness and knowledge I can now bring to our shared work." -Tracy Meisterheim, Blue Heron Sustainability Associates, TNS-U.S.




The feedback from students illustrates not only the strength of the programme, it also reinforces another important element that of co-creation, co-learning and the sharing of experiences. Many people say their year in Sweden changed their lives, providing a valuable learning environment where strong and lasting friendships are created where there is space to explore the beautiful surroundings and conversations to explore what we can positively do to help build a more sustainable world.


Every year the programme puts out an invitation to future sustainability leaders to apply to join this incredible learning journey.

If you would like to find out more or know of someone you think would thrive in such a learning space then have a look at the website and download the brochure. Applications open December 1, 2011 and close January 15th,  2012. Please go to www.bth.se/MSLS <http://www.bth.se/MSLS> 

As an alumnus (2011) I would be happy to be contacted about my Masters year in Sweden and about what I experienced from the course and the place.  (danapearlman@gmail.com)
 

Business Essentials Workshop
How to benefit from Sustainable Business Practices
UZD, Turkey, and Greenomics Corporation of Canada invite you to embrace sustainability
and take advantage of its opportunities for your business now.
Learn how “going green” can decrease costs and increase revenues.
Discover how sustainability mitigates global economic risks.
Gain access to tools and resources that create a competitive edge.
Lead your business into the future

See attached for more details.

The 2010 salary survey for sustainability professionals conducted by Acre and Acona. Primarily European data but data from all over the world.

The Green Economy has an interesting blog post on the top job green job titles and the top green US cities for green related employment. The report is based on data gathered by Jim Cassio, a green workforce development professional, and references data from Green Dream Jobs.

The Top Green Job Titles (Green Economy Blog)

Portland Craigslist has a posting for a Sustainability Consultant in Commercial Real Estate. I post this here as an example of how the sustainability field is expanding. The job description calls for specific expertise in energy efficiency and sustainability. The company posting this is JDM Associates, "an environmental and energy consulting firm specializing in advancing sustainability in the real estate industry."

MA in Leadership for Sustainability at Lancaster University, UK
Commences: 16 November 2009

With the sustainability industry still in its infancy and professionals moving into the field from a wide range of sectors, the International Society of Sustainability Professionals (ISSP) now offers a Certificate Program in Sustainability. Meant for practitioners who need to fill in “gaps” in their education or for displaced professionals looking for a new career, the online workshops are taught by luminaries and thought leaders from around the world who have spent years working to change the systems of the world to a sustainable model.

The Research Unit for Industrial Ecology, LCA and Systems Sustainability (IELCASS) at the University of Maine undertakes multidisciplinary, integrative, innovative research to develop sustainable products from biomass resources and processes which maximize resource and energy efficiency and minimize life cycle environmental impacts. We focus on understanding the dynamic interactions fundamentally and holistically, drawing on elements of systems analysis, process simulation and optimization, network and complexity methods and models.

This report is the second of what seems to be an annual study of salaries for "CSR" professionals in England. While it is specific to one country, it provides n interesting data point. The study was produced by three organizations:

• Green Dream Jobs at www.sustainablebusiness.com/jobs/. This site is one of the most comprehensive for Oregon jobs. You can search by city, state and career level.
• GreenBiz at www.greenbiz.com/jobs. GreenBiz.com features news, technical assistance, discussion forums and job listings for sustainable businesses. The job postings also include nonprofits, as the site overlaps substantially with Green Dream Jobs.