Seeking a career in the sustainability space? Try volunteering first, says panellist

SINGAPORE - People looking to break into the sustainability industry without prior experience can consider volunteering first, said Mr Erwin Chong, DBS Bank’s group head of corporate real estate strategy and administration.

Speaking on a panel on June 30, he said that volunteerism equips an individual with basic knowledge about the industry and that this will be valuable when looking to enter the field, adding that individuals with volunteer experiences on their resumes tend to stand out during the hiring process.

Mr Chong was one of three experts speaking at a panel session about carving out a career in the sustainability sector, which was jointly organised by The Straits Times’ HeadSTart and fashion giant Uniqlo. The session was moderated by ST business correspondent Prisca Ang.

HeadSTart is The Straits Times’ careers and personal finance newsletter for youth.

Fellow panellist Tan Hui Xin, junior sustainability specialist at sustainability solutions provider ACT group, recommended that students look into internship opportunities to gain a footing in the industry.

Meanwhile, Mr Benjamin Swan, founder and CEO of agritech venture builder Beco Ventures, encouraged the audience to immerse themselves in communities that are making the kinds of changes in the world that they want to see.

The three panelists also emphasised the importance of cross-sector collaboration, such as between the finance and engineering industries, in the continued growth of the sustainability industry.

They also talked about the increased use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the field.

Another panel session organised by HeadSTart and Uniqlo covered the topic of incorporating sustainable practices in daily life and was moderated by ST business correspondent Cheow Sue-Ann.

Panellist Thammika Songkaeo, a writer and multimedia producer, said that apart from contributing to sustainability through an individual’s activities, “it is always about getting more people to care”.

Ms Audrey Yang, founder of sustainability consultancy Thought Partner, also told the audience that one way people can make sustainable practices a bigger part of their working life is for them to ask potential employers about their sustainability goals during the interview process to assess if their personal values align with those of the company.

“Don’t underestimate the power and influence you have as an employee, it can even be something small like getting a recycling bin in the office,” said Ms Yang.

She added: “Sustainability is more than just the environment, it is also social. A company that is taking care of its employees is also being sustainable.”

Each panel, held at Uniqlo’s Orchard Central store, was fully subscribed and attended by about 20 people.

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Mr Gabriel Teng, who attended both panel sessions, said he now plans to check potential employers’ websites to understand their sustainability goals and see if these align with his personal values, before applying for a job there.

The 25-year-old computer science graduate from the Singapore University of Technology and Design said he has had an interest in sustainability from a young age and has been keeping up with developments in the industry.

While he is actively looking for a job in the field, he hopes he will be able to find an employer who cares for the environment as he does.

Among members of the audience who posed questions to the panellists was Mr Patrick Lai, 50, who asked Ms Yang and Ms Songkaeo for their opinions on greenwashing as well as the circular economy.

Greenwashing is the act of providing false or misleading information about the extent of environmental effects caused by the company. Both Ms Yang and Ms Songkaeo highlighted labels as one avenue some companies use to make products sound more sustainable than they really are.

(From left) Writer and multimedia producer Thammika Songkaeo, ST business correspondent Cheow Sue-Ann and Thought Partner founder Audrey Yang. ST PHOTO: GIN TAY

On contributing to the circular economy, Ms Songkaeo, who is a National Geographic explorer, said: “If you need to buy something, envision where in the circular economy the product is, then work out if the purchase is necessary”.

Speaking to ST after the session, Mr Lai said the insights shared by the panelists were helpful as they provided useful tips. He noted that most people understand why they have to incorporate sustainable habits into their daily lives, but are unsure how to go about doing it.

The director at a real estate firm also said he feels that if individuals in positions of power in a company set the tone for sustainable habits in the office, others will follow suit.

Ms Hwee Lee, Uniqlo Singapore’s senior director of sustainability, said such panel sessions present a platform to convey credible information and tips to members of the public, which is aligned with Uniqlo’s sustainability goals.

She said: “Bringing in experts in different fields with shared values allows for a diversity in perspectives offered.”