Is a Career In Sustainability…Sustainable? | 4 Tips for Success

Nature has always played a big role in my life, and anyone who knows me understands that the “ArtxTechforGood” mission of MeshMinds is the culmination of all of my professional and personal experiences to date. For the past five years, my team and I have worked on designing campaigns, collaborations and conversations that focus on protecting our culture and the environment in the digital age. Here, we get to empower artists by giving them the tools they need, so they’re better equipped in the art of storytelling—stories that inspire others to care deeper for our planet. Our vision is to provide countless opportunities for people in the creative industries to bring their critical reflection, ingenuity, and empathy to some of the most complex problems facing the world in an enabling digital environment.

Working in sustainability is something I feel strongly about, and igniting the same spark in others is one thing I strive to do. From this year onward, we are building our own creative content powered by Metaverse technologies and platforms with our community of award-winning XR strategists, digital artists, virtual world-builders and filmmakers. So, for anyone out there who is curious about having a sustainable career in sustainability, here are 4 important things that will help you thrive:

1.   Community is key. Much like the environment, it’s hard to thrive on your own. Being around like-minded people is powerful, and my biggest tip to anyone starting out is to find yourself a good mentor and a group of collaborators. Is there someone that you previously worked with or someone you have come across that you respect professionally? Personally, I have benefitted a great deal from LinkedIn and attending physical and virtual events linked to my interest areas. These days, it’s so easy to connect. Reach out to the people on LinkedIn, Facebook groups, and don’t forget about real-life events and communities if there are any within your vicinity. This will definitely fuel your growth and act as your support system through your own journey in sustainability. For example, check out: Art: Artivive on Discord; and MeshMinds on Discord; Tech: Meta Spark Community; and UNTAM3D; Sustainability: Friends of World Oceans Day; and Eco-Business.

2.   Research and lifelong learning. Staying up to date on new research and developments in the field is absolutely key. Set aside time for continued learning and professional development is key, whether that be through taking courses, attending conferences, or participating in research projects. It's also important to have a clear understanding of the problem you are trying to solve in sustainable development. Identifying specific areas of interest and focusing on developing expertise in those areas can help to set you apart in the field and allow you to make a greater impact. Finally, be prepared to be flexible and adapt to change, as the field of sustainability is constantly evolving and new solutions and technologies are emerging all the time. For example, check out: UN SDG:Learn, a United Nations initiative that aims to bring relevant and curated learning solutions on sustainable development topics to individuals and organizations; or Activism Inside and Out - a step-by-step guide to become a more effective change-maker focusing on developing new skills, new capacities and new ways of seeing yourself, others and the world in your activism. 

3.   Despite being environmentally friendly, it’s not all green and fluffy. When I entered the sustainability arena, I did not know the extent of greenwashing. This job has opened my eyes to the lengths some companies go to hoodwink the public about their sustainability efforts. It’s a difficult pill to swallow, but once you do, you realise the need to find your own way around it. Being aware of such harsh realities can be a good opportunity to create new checks and balances to ensure everything is fair and just. Check out: The Economist on Climate Change; The World Economic Forum Climate Action Platform; and the Facebook Climate Science Center, all of which feature resources from official climate science organisations and accredited journalists.

4.   Any platform can be a space to promote sustainability. Digital platforms can play a significant role in promoting sustainability by providing a space for individuals and organisations to share information, raise awareness, and collaborate on sustainable solutions. Platforms such as social media, websites, and apps can be used to educate and engage audiences on sustainable practices, connect individuals and groups working on sustainability projects, and facilitate the sharing of resources and information. For the last five years, our team at MeshMinds has been focusing mainly on the Facebook and Instagram platforms to create interactive augmented reality experiences using Meta Spark to catalyse climate action by youth and communities online, such as, 100 Days to #BeatPlasticPollution and Run For Nature. Building on this foundation of gamifying calls to action for people and planet, we are developing a Roblox game focused on vertical farming and the future of food; and a multi-platform VR experience focused on rising sea levels and the future of human habitats. Request to join our new, curated MeshMinds Community on Discord to find out more!

What are your thoughts on building a career in sustainability? Let’s chat! 🌱