What is your personal definition of sustainability? 

To me, sustainability can be defined as the comprehensive set of actions taken today to reach a better tomorrow. It consists of the interaction environmental, social, and financial decisions pursued to maintain and achieve the long-term health of our planet. It ensures that these decisions are made to foster systems that are adaptable and resilient, considering both the needs of humans and our Earth. Altogether, sustainability is about creating a coexistence between people and nature to support a high quality of life for all biological systems.

What role do you see sustainability playing in your professional career?

This summer, I learned that there is a large variety of careers that I can pursue that involve sustainability. I learned that all companies have some sort of sustainability practice integrated into their business activities, including through operations, finance, marketing, and more. Prior to this summer, I often felt little hope that I could make any social impact in my professional career, but I was exposed to job opportunities within the realm of sustainability consulting that strongly interested me. I hope to pursue a career in this field, and in particular, I hope to work as a strategy consultant that advises companies on how to integrate sustainable practices into their marketing efforts. Through pursuing this certificate, I hope to learn more about how exactly I can put this into practice in my career and learn terminology that will support my ability to speak about sustainability in a professional climate.

What sustainability projects have you been engaged in?

Sustainability is deeply integrated into choices I make every day. In high school, I operated a clothing resell shop, where I sourced apparel from thrift stores and friends’ unwanted clothing, reselling for a profit. This initiative promoted sustainable fashion through reducing the waste that is generated by fast fashion habits. I have also been vegetarian for the last 7 years, which has had a deep impact on both myself and my community. My vegetarianism has influenced my close friends and family since we often opt for plant-based restaurants and meals in consideration of my diet. I have also attended a number of educational events, including workshops and panels at school and work, which have taught me of my potential to integrate sustainability into my long-term career.

Please list any sustainability-related interests you want to explore during the certificate. 

Sustainability consulting