Environment & Sustainability

Field of solar panels

Jobs in this sector promote sustainability, remedy or prevent environmental damage, or put people, profit, and planet on equal footing. Opportunities can be found in private industry, government agencies, and non profits. Some positions are at organizations with environmental missions, while others are within the corporate social responsibility or supply chain functions of corporations.  And “sustainability” itself can have different meanings across workplaces, whether it’s synonymous with “climate resilience” or “energy conservation.”

When considering a career under the umbrella of Environment & Sustainability, job seekers might focus on a functional role (e.g. project manager, engineer), a type of organization (e.g. startups, large corporations), or a specific area of interest (e.g. transportation, energy). 

Sample Employers in LionSHARE

Focus Areas in Environment & Sustainability

Most employees in this field have a passion for solving complex problems, enjoy working with new or emerging research and technologies, and see themselves as agents of change.  

Here are a few examples of applied areas in this industry:

Policy & Law

Advocate for the environment by shaping laws, regulations, and public policies that protect natural resources and encourage sustainable practices. Professionals in this sector may draft legislation, lobby policymakers, represent organizations in legal proceedings, or provide expertise during the policymaking process. Their efforts can directly impact environmental preservation, corporate accountability, and the broader adoption of eco-friendly practices across industries.

Socially Responsible Investing

Fuel innovative and sustainable solutions by strategically investing in companies and initiatives committed to environmental stewardship. Venture capitalists and socially responsible investors identify promising organizations, evaluate sustainability performance, and provide critical financial resources to scale impactful technologies, products, and practices. Their investments not only drive economic returns but also accelerate progress toward global sustainability goals.

Engineering

Design, develop, and implement cutting-edge technologies and processes that address environmental challenges. Engineers in sustainability-related fields conduct research, test innovative solutions, and optimize practices for reducing pollution, conserving resources, and enhancing ecosystem resilience. Their expertise transforms scientific knowledge into practical solutions, enabling businesses and communities to live and operate more sustainably. Engineers in sustainability might be civil engineers or environmental engineers; non-engineers may work in project management, data science, or research.

Climate Tech

The umbrella of “climate tech” – sometimes used interchangeably with “green tech” or “clean tech” – covers many sectors, from energy to transportation. These companies create, use, and/or promote technologies designed to protect our environment, lessen our contribution to climate change, or mitigate its harmful impacts. While many roles in “climate tech” — unsurprisingly — require a technical background, large companies in this field hire staff in marketing, business development, and other core business functions.

Built Environment

Employers in this area shape the physical spaces where we live, work, and interact, integrating environmental responsibility with human needs. This field encompasses a wide range of roles, from urban planners designing sustainable cities and transportation systems, to professionals ensuring that workplaces and buildings uphold the highest standards of environmental health and sustainability. Roles in this industry can be technical or non-technical, spanning design, engineering, project management, and policy. 

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