Career Transition Tips For Engineers

Sustainability lessons I wish they taught in schools. After two decades in sustainability, I have learned some insights that I think should be fundamental education for every young person. Here's what I wish someone had told me back in school: 1. Climate is not just about polar bears. It is about human impact and resilience, and global security. Every career will be impacted by climate change. 2. Your individual choices matter, but systemic change drives real impact. Learn to influence systems, not just personal habits. 3. The circular economy is not a buzzword. It is our economic future. Understanding how to design out waste and regenerate resources is important. 4. Sustainability is not a cost center. It is a strategic opportunity for innovation, efficiency, and competitive advantage. 5. Carbon accounting is the new financial literacy. Know how to measure, manage, and mitigate organisational emissions. 6. Biodiversity is not separate from human prosperity. It is the foundation of human civilisation. 7. Nature is the most sophisticated engineer. Biomimicry is not just cool, it is a design approach. 8. Water is the next oil. Understanding clean water scarcity and conservation will be crucial. 9. Your digital footprint has a carbon footprint. Data centers consume massive energy. 10. Local food systems are resilience strategies, not just trendy movements. 11. Innovation happens at the intersection of disciplines. Sustainability requires radical collaboration. 12. Hope is an active verb. Pessimism is a luxury we can't afford. Every challenge is an opportunity to act. 13. Sustainability is not a career. It is a lens for understanding our complex, interconnected world. What lesson would you add? Share it below.

Nobody tells you this about breaking into climate policy & global advocacy. You work hard. Attend the conferences. Build experience. But somehow, it still feels like you’re on the outside looking in. Because this field doesn’t just run on expertise. It runs on a whole set of unspoken rules no one warns you about. Here are a few I’ve learned along the way: 1. Your voice matters more than your title. I’ve been in rooms with world leaders, policymakers, and industry giants. The people who make an impact? They aren’t always the most senior. They’re the ones who speak up, ask the right questions, and bring fresh ideas to the table. 2. Most opportunities don’t come from applications- they come from action. Some of the biggest breaks in my career didn’t come from filling out forms. They came from showing up, contributing, and building relationships. The best way to get noticed is to do the work before anyone asks you to. 3. Visibility isn’t bragging- it’s how change happens. You can be working on the most incredible projects, but if no one knows about them, they won’t open doors. Share your insights. Document your journey. Talk about the work that matters to you. The right people will notice. 4. Adaptability is more valuable than expertise. Climate policy, energy transition, and global negotiations move fast. Strategies shift, funding changes, crises emerge overnight. The people who thrive? They’re the ones who can pivot, communicate clearly, and find solutions in real time. Stop waiting for permission. There’s no “perfect moment” to start. If you have an idea, an initiative, a perspective that needs to be heard- put it out there. The people making a difference aren’t waiting for approval. They’re creating their own space. Speaking of opportunities- if you’re looking to step into this space, here are a few worth exploring: 📌 Global Climate Fellowships – Programs designed to equip young leaders with the tools to shape policy and drive climate action.(https://lnkd.in/g5qqTZXi) 📌 International Climate Conferences – If you want to influence global policy, you need to be where decisions happen. Find ways to attend, contribute, and engage. (https://lnkd.in/gs_BsZSA) 📌 ImpactShip – A curated list of funding, fellowships, and climate leadership opportunities straight to your inbox. Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/g-KGP9qi You don’t need to wait for someone to give you a seat at the table. Start building your own !! Follow me Zainab Bie for more such content !

Engineers have no place in policy - or so the story goes. I’ve heard it more times than I can count, especially when I made the leap from civil engineering to public policy. But this old trope couldn’t be further from the truth. Engineers bring the kind of disciplined analysis and creative problem-solving that policymaking desperately needs, especially in a world shaped by technology and systems thinking. Yes, the switch can be disorienting at first. But it’s a chance to transform hard data into real human impact, bridging the gap between technical expertise and public good. If you’re contemplating this transition - or already in the thick of it - here are three insights to guide you: 1. 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐞𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 Civil engineers rarely know every nuance of how materials, even commonly used concrete, behaves under every condition. Still, we devise structural designs that last for decades, if not centuries. Engineers are trained to break problems down, identify root causes, model possible solutions, and methodically chart a path forward - even when the data is incomplete. This ability to deliver results in the face of ambiguity is exactly what today’s policy challenges demand, from designing urban infrastructure to tackling climate change. 2. 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 Throughout history, some of the most groundbreaking ideas in economics - think the Black-Scholes model or the modern use of randomized controlled trials - emerged from fields like physics and medicine. The lesson is clear: different perspectives drive innovation. An engineering outlook complements the institutional and human-centered methods of trained policy experts. When combined, they yield solutions that are holistic and resilient. 3. 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞 Here’s the catch: the structured, rational thinking that makes you an exceptional engineer can slow you down in the world of policy. Policymaking is messy, compromise often takes precedence over the “perfect” solution, and human behaviour doesn’t always align with models. You’ll need to embrace uncertainty and recognize that incremental progress can be more valuable than a neat theoretical solution that sits on the shelf. Yet solving the problem is only half the job. Good policy also demands storytelling - persuading stakeholders, forging coalitions, and navigating political headwinds. Moving from engineering to policy doesn’t mean leaving your foundations behind. It means repurposing them. Your knack for methodical thinking, for asking “why?” and insisting on structure, will serve you well. But remember to layer on a willingness to adapt, negotiate, and tell a compelling story. Done right, your engineering background becomes a badge of honour - and a powerful force for meaningful change. #EngineersInPolicy #PublicPolicyCareers #STEMLeadership #SystemsThinking #Policymaking #CareerAdvice

As a recruiter, I've noticed a growing interest among environmental science professionals in transitioning into ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) roles 🌍. If you have a background in environmental science, you're already equipped with valuable skills that are highly relevant to ESG work. Here are some tips to make a smooth transition: 1. Highlight Relevant Skills: Showcase your expertise in environmental impact assessments, sustainability reporting, and data analysis. ESG roles often need strong analytical, research, and reporting skills, which are abundant in the environmental science field. 2. Get Certified: Consider obtaining certifications like the CFA Institute's ESG Investing Certificate or the GRI Standards. These credentials can make your CV stand out and demonstrate your commitment to the field. 3. Network: Join ESG-related groups on LinkedIn, attend industry conferences, and connect with professionals in the sector. Networking can open doors to both advice and job opportunities. 4. Stay Informed: Keep abreast of the latest ESG trends and regulations. In the UK, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has mandated improved disclosures aligned with Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) for listed companies. Understanding such regulations can enhance your appeal to potential employers. 5. Tailor Your CV: Adapt your CV to highlight your ESG-relevant experience. Focus on projects where you assessed environmental risks, implemented sustainability initiatives, or worked on compliance issues. By following these steps, you can leverage your environmental science background to carve out a successful career in ESG! #ESG #EnvironmentalScience #CareerTransition

I offered mentorships and had a huge response. As I can’t chat with everyone, I will create a series of posts on some of the common topics. The first is transitioning careers. Start by figuring out why you want a change. Reflect on your motivations and what you hope to achieve. This is the key. Change without clear direction is challenging. It will require a huge effort to change, and it is far easier if you genuinely want something. Be careful that it is your desire vs. something that the industry or social media feeds you. There are many paths and ways to create, so make sure it is true to you. Identify transferable skills from your current role/experience that can be useful in your new field. Remember, these are not just literal skills; they can be people and soft skills. Plan your transition step-by-step and estimate how long it might take. Understand the commitment and effort to succeed in your new career. This is important as change is hard, so focus and drive help hugely. Thoroughly research the new industry, role, or approach to gain a better understanding. Read and research widely. Often, the first information you find is very generic, so try to commit and drill in more. Be clear about the areas you feel are most desired and suitable. It is great to be highly ambitious but also balance this with realism, as the leap may take several steps or stages to achieve. Network actively with people in your target field to gain insights and build relationships. Educate yourself on the new skills. Take courses or certifications that beef up your qualifications for the new role. Update your portfolio, resume, and website to reflect your new skills and experiences and showcase your readiness for the new career. Be very tailored in your approach by customising your job search strategy and applications to fit the new role. It is better to approach fewer people but with clear, targeted messages. Scattergun or generic approaches fail fast. Seek informal chats. Arrange informational interviews to learn from those already in the field. Look for opportunities to gain hands-on experience in your desired field through internships, volunteering, or part-time work. Seek mentors who have successfully transitioned to the field you are interested in. They can provide guidance, support, and valuable advice. Be patient and persistent. Stay committed to your goal, understanding that career transitions take time. Regularly seek feedback on your progress and reflect on what is working and needs adjustment. This iterative process can help refine your approach. Develop and maintain a positive mindset and resilience to cope with setbacks and challenges. Ensure you have a financial plan to support you during the transition period. Be kind to yourself. Take breaks and seek support from close friends to help you through the process. 🤝

Want to break into climate? I’ve had over 200 career calls with climate job seekers within the past year. Here are the 4 most commonly asked questions and my best answers: ⭐ How can I get a head start in college?  • Focus your coursework and internships on an expertise/industry pair, like marketing and sustainable fashion, business and regenerative agriculture, or data science and energy. • If you can’t decide on a niche, build versatile skills like finance, engineering, design, and sales. These skills are needed across climate-focused organizations. • Most recommended internship board: EDICT Internship Program by Elemental Excelerator 💫 How can I switch to climate from another industry? • Opportunities can be found in solution-focused organizations (e.g., Pachama, Kevala), sustainability/CSR teams (e.g., Carhartt, Adobe), and governmental offices (e.g., NYC Department of Environmental Protection (NYC DEP), US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)). • Many people try to overhaul their entire career. Instead, try changing only one variable at a time: seek a similar role in a new industry or a new role in a familiar industry (eg; marketing in fashion → marketing at a SaaS company like Recurate). • Mentorship, freelancing, and certificates can bridge the gap in industry experience. • Most recommended mentorship opportunities: Third Derivative and GrowthMentor ✨ How do I choose a niche?  • Standing out in climate requires being a near-perfect fit. Find the intersection of what you're good at, what you love, what you can be paid for, and what's needed across climate efforts. • Hop on career calls with folks across domains and industries to learn more about the day-to-day of their roles. • Most recommended starting points for market research: Climatebase, Work on Climate, CareerOneStop, and Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) 🌎 Do I need to join a program like Terra.do, Work on Climate, or OnePointFive (opf.degree)?  • These programs are helpful but not necessary. Free resources like coaching calls, videos, and podcasts can be valuable too. • Remember that “climate” isn’t really a standalone job! Consider how you can provide value to a climate-focused team and focus on building credibility in your desired solution sector (energy, agriculture, etc.). • Most recommended programs: Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Reforge, and Stanford University's certificates. -- Interested in a free careers session? • Check out the Work on Climate Expert Office Hours list and the #OpenDoorClimate list, launched by Daniel Hill. Interested in breaking into climate as a marketer? • Here's a comprehensive guide I put together: https://lnkd.in/gUqyFh_b I did my best to keep this post short. If anybody has more they’d like to add for climate job seekers, please add it to the comments. Thank you! Illustration by @tatooine_girl

My career began in International Development, although I’ve been in corporate #sustainability for ~8 years now. Sharing my thoughts on this pivot for those considering a switch. * Much of my network has been impacted by the recent #stopwork orders. My heart is with you, friends. I hope many of you will be able to return to your careers, by some legal or legislative miracle. But, if you’re considering a switch, here are some things to consider about pivoting your passion for impact into a corporate career: 1. There’s no ✨magic door✨ —> A successful pivot into the corporate world, especially corporate sustainability, is like most other careers: ——> Your chances will be greatly improved by highlighting transferable skills and building a strong network. —> Ultimately, my pivot was made possible because someone in my network understood my skillset and vouched for me. I recorded a Voiz Academy podcast about my journey here: https://lnkd.in/gRURuwmi 2. Be clear about your transferable skills ✅ —> In corporate sustainability, we need people who have: - Technical expertise in human rights, agriculture, the environment, and global supply chains. - Project/ program management backgrounds with a focus on cost management and impact measurement. - Experience speaking pursuasively, to different audiences, often with competing priorities. - The ability to thrive in high-pressure and/ or ambiguous situations, demonstrating flexibility and innovation when faced with challenges. 3. Expand your network 🤝 —> Daniel Hill started the #opendoorclimate movement. —-> People who work in #climate, including corporate sustainability folks, have joined this movement and are offering to chat with anyone interested in making the switch. —-> Take advantage of this global resource 4. Consider upskilling and/ or career coaching 🎓 —> Although not essential, you might consider taking a course to develop your skillset. Something like: - Climate Drift has a Career Accelerator for mid-career and executive level professionals transitioning into the climate sector. —-> Next cohort starts February 24th - The Voiz Academy has both career coaching and climate upskilling options, especially for roles like Decarbonization Analyst and Sustainability Analyst. - PCDN.Global has a more broad social impact offering, and I can’t say enough good things about career coaching from Craig Zelizer. 5. Keep a close eye on global supply chain regulations. ⚖️ —> Get to know CSRD, CS3D, EUDR, and others. —-> These have been and will continue to be highly influential in the corporate space. —> As these evolve, so too will corporate sustainability. Position yourself with this context in mind. * Who else has made this pivot? What did I miss? * #SustainableAgriculture

I learned about power and electricity early. As a boy in Iran, I watched electricity reach villages that had never seen it. Clean water flowed. Radios carried voices. Life expectancy rose. In 1977, during a blackout in NYC, we saw the opposite. A modern city slid into fear in hours. Those moments shaped my life. Energy is not just infrastructure. It is the nervous system of civilization. That system is under pressure. In 2050, global electricity demand will rise over 75% [IEA, 2023]. A 2021 winter storm in Texas killed 246 people and cost $195 billion. We have the tools. Wind and solar are the cheapest new sources in most regions [IRENA, 2024]. Smart grids, microgrids, and storage are proven. Predictive maintenance can cut detection times by 96 percent and blackout durations by half [DOE, 2023]. What we lack is leadership. Leadership at three levels matters: > Young professionals must learn across boundaries—power is tied to water, health, finance, and transport. When power fails, everything fails. Learn the business side. Every dollar spent on resilience saves six to ten dollars in avoided losses [NIBS, 2019]. Get into the field. In Cordova, Alaska, a self-healing microgrid kept power running through a storm because engineers combined electrical skills, software, and finance. > Mid-level managers must lead through disruption. Static plans are brittle. Use scenario planning, model outage duration, and interdependencies. In 2023, ERCOT added 8 GW of storage and cut blackout risk from 12 percent to 0.3 percent [ERCOT, 2024]. Build cross-functional teams that include engineers, cybersecurity, finance, and community leaders. Soft skills matter. When wildfires forced pre-emptive power cuts in California, managers who had built trust could explain decisions and coordinate recovery. > Aspiring leaders must align regulation, capital, and talent. Current rules reward volume, not resilience. Change incentives toward uptime and security. In 2024, $2 trillion went into clean energy, but most of it funded generation, not the wires and storage that keep systems stable [IEA, 2024]. Capital must shift to the backbone. The workforce is aging. We need engineers who span power, AI, and cybersecurity. Recruit widely, fund apprenticeships, and build new pipelines. Design must be inclusive. Systems that protect the most vulnerable protect everyone. The numbers are stark: By 2030, the U.S. will add 209 GW of new capacity, but only 22 GW will be firm baseload [NREL, 2024]. Data centers and AI could consume 20 percent of U.S. power by 2030 [BloombergNEF, 2024]. Microgrids can restore power within hours instead of days and cut costs by up to 30 percent [DOE, 2023]. Technology and capital are not the bottlenecks. Leadership is. The future grid will not be built by one generation or one profession. It will be built by our current choices, the trust we earn, and the courage to act before the next disruption forces us to. #Leadership

𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗴𝗼, 𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗮 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗷𝗼𝗯—𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗺𝗲𝗱. So many solutions, so many paths. I made plenty of mistakes before I found my niche. If I could go back, here’s what I wish I knew: 🔬 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀. I started with books like ‘How to Avoid a Climate Disaster’ by Bill Gates and Speed&Scale by John Doerr. These books were helpful, but were very tech and VC-centered perspectives. Project Regeneration’s Cascade of Solutions was ultimately a better, more objective, and comprehensive resource. 📕 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀. Work on Climate’s #i-got-a-job channel is full of successful climate transition journeys by engineers, designers, marketers, PhD candidates, and more. 👋 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆. Terra was mine, but My Climate Journey (MCJ), Work on Climate, or Job Search Councils are great options. 😡 𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀. What do you want to protect from climate change? Who do you want to build for? What pisses you off? Your answers can point you to your niche. ⚓ 𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘁 𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲. If possible, keep your role & location the same while switching to climate—it makes the transition easier. 🚗 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗱𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗳𝗲𝘄 𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀: come up with 2-3 ideas for where you might fit. This could be a climate solution (residential solar), a type of organization (large environmental nonprofit), or even a way to effect change in your current role. Use networking, side projects, or small actions to validate your fit. 🤝 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲: The Open Door Climate directory is full of folks happy to chat. After many twists & turns, I focused on software product management roles at climate tech startups where business and climate incentives were aligned. This led me to organizations like food waste and renewable energy, and away from areas like carbon removal. What climate niches are you interested in? How are you finding where you fit?

The answer to anxiety is action. And if these LA fires--or the NC floods or whatever climate disaster--has you thinking about a job in climate, these are people to follow... • Kristy Drutman at Green Jobs Board • Maria Flynn and Taj Ahmad E.  at Jobs for the Future (JFF) • Eugene Kirpichov at Work on Climate • Marco Morawec at Climate Drift • Brendan Andersen and Natalie Lavery at Climate People • Anshuman Bapna at Terra.do • Lauren Miller and Leone Baron at MCJ • Neil Yeoh and Matthias Muehlbauer  at OnePointFive (opf.degree) • Evan Hynes at Climatebase • Steven Zhang at ClimateTechList • Daniel Hill who has an incredible resource #opendoorclimate • Craig Zelizer at PCDN.Global    If you really want to dig in, I'll add a three tips that will much better prepare you to get a job in . 1) Do your research. What I'd recommend: Project Drawdown's climate solutions Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson's"What If We Get It Right?" Dr. Katharine Hayhoe's "Saving Us" Tim Burnett's "Designing Your Life" 2) Ask yourself what resonates. What solutions matter to you. Is it engineering cleaner refrigerants or is it telling better stories about climate? There's room for you. 3) Focus your search on specific companies or non profits and ask people at those orgs to meet. Find out which communities those orgs have (non profits are different than VC backed start ups which are different than sustainable companies). Many of the folks you meet are in #opendoorclimate or are generally open to chatting. At that stage, it's way easier to utilize the above people and resources because you're deeper in the community with more specifics on what you can do. What questions do you have? These are challenging times, so I'm happy to answer or point people in the right direction as best I can.