Careers in Sustainability from Coursera

This course is an introduction to careers in sustainability, focusing primarily on the role of a sustainability analyst at public and private organizations. Through a mix of video, print, peer review, and interactive content, learners will be able to explain sustainability and the specifics of a sustainability analyst’s job within an organization.

The course is structured around two elements: topical knowledge and practical application. Throughout the course, learners can practice what they learn and get feedback from their peers to build their skills. Additionally, knowledge checks provide milestones for learners to ensure that they understand the necessary information about each topic presented. Each module begins with a video that introduces the concepts taught in the lesson, including interviews with ASU School of Sustainability professors.

Interactive activities and hands-on application are central to the learner experience in this course. They include participating in mini-application experiences, trying out real-life skills with expert feedback, and creating personalized tools like presentation slide decks and spreadsheet templates to use in the role on day one of a new job. The interactive and hands-on activities are specifically designed to teach not only sustainability skills but also professional skills like professional writing, presentation skills, and conducting successful video meetings. This combination of practical skills and specialized content makes this course a unique foundation for the rest of the specialization.

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction to careers in sustainability

Welcome to the first step in your journey toward becoming a sustainability analyst! In this course, you will learn about the basics of sustainability, what exactly a sustainability analyst does, and how to perform some of the foundational tasks needed in that role.

Introduction to sustainability

What is sustainability, anyway? It’s a word you’ve probably heard in many different contexts, but you may not have thought about everything it includes.

What does a sustainability analyst do?

Now that you know a little more about sustainability, you might wonder what a sustainability analyst actually does.

What software, tools and resources should an analyst be familiar with?

To do everything a sustainability analyst is responsible for, it’s essential to use the right tools for the job.

How to find trends in data

As you’ve learned already, data is the foundation of the job of sustainability analysts. Spreadsheets and charts can help you identify trends and areas of improvement, which will help you communicate effectively with your team and organizational leadership.

What is Lifecycle Evaluation?

Depending on which sector you work in, product lifecycles may be more or less critical to your role as an analyst. However, it’s valuable to understand how product lifecycles work and how to evaluate them for potential improvements.

What roles could analysts play in an organization’s marketing and PR activities?

Many organizations interested in sustainability know that pursuing sustainability initiatives can be a great way to get positive attention from the community. As part of your job as a sustainability analyst, you will likely be asked to help develop materials that showcase the work you and your organization are doing.

What is the biggest difference between private and public sustainability analyst roles?

Sustainability analysts work for all kinds of organizations, including cities, states, corporations, and small businesses. There are many differences between public and private organizations, and their approaches to sustainability are also different.

What challenges can an analyst expect to face when arriving at a new job?

Just like any job, the role of a sustainability analyst comes with its own set of challenges. You’ll need to speak confidently about your role and what sustainability means to the organization to build effective relationships with your coworkers and management.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Emphasizes professional development for a career in sustainability

Makes practical application a central focus of the learning experience

Tailored to the needs of the role of a sustainability, especially for beginners

Provides hands-on practice in key sustainability analysis skills

Examines sustainability from a corporate and public sector perspective

Utilizes a multi-modal approach with video, print, and interactive content

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Careers in Sustainability with these activities:

Volunteer with a Sustainability Organization

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Volunteering with a sustainability organization will provide you with practical experience in sustainability and networking opportunities.

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Research sustainability organizations in your area.
Contact the organization and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
Attend volunteer training.
Participate in volunteer activities.

Review Data Analysis Techniques

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By reviewing data analysis techniques, you'll strengthen your ability to interpret data and identify trends, which is essential for sustainability analysts.

Browse courses on Data Analysis

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Review basic statistical concepts, such as mean, median, and standard deviation.
Practice using data analysis software, such as Excel or SPSS.
Find and read articles on data analysis techniques.

Compile a Sustainability Resource List

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Compiling a sustainability resource list will provide you with a valuable tool for staying up-to-date on the latest sustainability trends and best practices.

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Identify relevant sustainability resources, such as websites, articles, and reports.
Organize the resources into a central repository.
Share the resource list with others.

Five other activities

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Participate in a Sustainability Study Group

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Participating in a sustainability study group will provide you with opportunities to discuss sustainability challenges and solutions with peers.

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Find or form a sustainability study group.
Meet regularly to discuss sustainability topics.
Share resources and knowledge with each other.

Explore Sustainability Reporting Frameworks

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Exploring sustainability reporting frameworks will provide you with a deeper understanding of how sustainability performance is communicated to stakeholders, a critical skill for sustainability analysts.

Browse courses on Sustainability Reporting

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Review the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards.
Research other sustainability reporting frameworks, such as the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) and the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP).
Attend a webinar or workshop on sustainability reporting.

Conduct Lifecycle Evaluations

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Conducting lifecycle evaluations will enhance your understanding of the environmental impacts of products and services, a key skill for sustainability analysts.

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Learn the principles of lifecycle evaluation.
Use lifecycle evaluation software to conduct an evaluation.
Interpret the results of a lifecycle evaluation.

Conduct a Sustainability Audit

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Conducting a sustainability audit will give you practical experience in evaluating an organization's sustainability performance and identifying areas for improvement.

Browse courses on Sustainability Assessment

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Plan the audit scope and objectives.
Collect data on the organization's sustainability performance.
Analyze the data and identify areas for improvement.
Develop recommendations for improving the organization's sustainability performance.

Develop a Sustainability Plan

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Developing a sustainability plan will provide you with hands-on experience in applying sustainability principles to a real-world scenario.

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Identify the organization's sustainability goals.
Research and identify potential sustainability initiatives.
Develop a plan to implement the initiatives.
Monitor and evaluate the progress of the plan.

Career center

Learners who complete Careers in Sustainability will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Sustainability Analyst

Sustainability Analysts help organizations achieve their sustainability goals by providing data-driven insights and developing innovative solutions. This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the role of a Sustainability Analyst, covering topics such as sustainability reporting, data analysis, and stakeholder engagement. By completing this course, you will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to launch a successful career as a Sustainability Analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Analyst

Environmental Consultant

Environmental Consultants provide advice and guidance to organizations on how to minimize their environmental impact. This course provides a solid foundation in sustainability principles and practices, which is essential for success as an Environmental Consultant. You will learn about topics such as environmental impact assessment, pollution prevention, and climate change mitigation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Consultant

Sustainability Manager

Sustainability Managers are responsible for developing and implementing sustainability strategies within organizations. This course provides a comprehensive overview of sustainability management, covering topics such as stakeholder engagement, strategic planning, and performance measurement. By completing this course, you will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to become an effective Sustainability Manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Manager

Corporate Social Responsibility Manager

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Managers are responsible for developing and implementing CSR strategies within organizations. This course provides a solid foundation in CSR principles and practices, which is essential for success as a CSR Manager. You will learn about topics such as stakeholder engagement, sustainability reporting, and ethical decision-making.

See salaries and explore the career path for Corporate Social Responsibility Manager

Environmental Engineer

Environmental Engineers design and implement solutions to environmental problems. This course provides a comprehensive overview of environmental engineering principles, covering topics such as air pollution control, water treatment, and waste management. By completing this course, you will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to become an effective Environmental Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Engineer

Policy Analyst

Policy Analysts research, analyze, and make recommendations on public policy issues. This course provides a solid foundation in policy analysis principles and practices, which is essential for success as a Policy Analyst. You will learn about topics such as stakeholder engagement, data analysis, and policy evaluation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Policy Analyst

Sustainability Educator

Sustainability Educators teach and train others about sustainability principles and practices. This course provides a comprehensive overview of sustainability education, covering topics such as curriculum development, teaching methods, and assessment. By completing this course, you will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to become an effective Sustainability Educator.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Educator

Sustainability Auditor

Sustainability Auditors assess the environmental and social performance of organizations. This course provides a comprehensive overview of sustainability auditing principles and practices, covering topics such as data collection, analysis, and reporting. By completing this course, you will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to become an effective Sustainability Auditor.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Auditor

Environmental Scientist

Environmental Scientists study the environment and its interactions with humans. This course provides a comprehensive overview of environmental science principles, covering topics such as ecology, toxicology, and climate change. By completing this course, you will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to become an effective Environmental Scientist.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Scientist

Natural Resources Manager

Natural Resources Managers oversee the management of natural resources such as forests, water, and wildlife. This course provides a comprehensive overview of natural resources management principles and practices, covering topics such as land use planning, conservation, and restoration. By completing this course, you will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to become an effective Natural Resources Manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Natural Resources Manager

Renewable Energy Developer

Renewable Energy Developers develop and implement renewable energy projects such as solar and wind farms. This course provides a comprehensive overview of renewable energy principles and practices, covering topics such as project development, financing, and construction. By completing this course, you will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to become an effective Renewable Energy Developer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Renewable Energy Developer

Energy Auditor

Energy Auditors assess the energy efficiency of buildings and organizations. This course provides a comprehensive overview of energy auditing principles and practices, covering topics such as data collection, analysis, and reporting. By completing this course, you will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to become an effective Energy Auditor.

See salaries and explore the career path for Energy Auditor

Green Building Consultant

Green Building Consultants provide advice and guidance to clients on how to design and construct sustainable buildings. This course provides a comprehensive overview of green building principles and practices, covering topics such as LEED certification, energy efficiency, and indoor air quality. By completing this course, you will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to become an effective Green Building Consultant.

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Water Resources Manager

Water Resources Managers oversee the management of water resources such as rivers, lakes, and aquifers. This course provides a comprehensive overview of water resources management principles and practices, covering topics such as water conservation, water quality, and flood control. By completing this course, you will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to become an effective Water Resources Manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Water Resources Manager

Agricultural Sustainability Consultant

Agricultural Sustainability Consultants provide advice and guidance to farmers and ranchers on how to implement sustainable agricultural practices. This course provides a comprehensive overview of agricultural sustainability principles and practices, covering topics such as soil conservation, water management, and pest control. By completing this course, you will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to become an effective Agricultural Sustainability Consultant.

See salaries and explore the career path for Agricultural Sustainability Consultant

Careers in Sustainability

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