There are many options in the sustainability sector because today climate change and sustainability are linked to every sector…

Shruti Rana- Associate Professor TERI School of Advanced Science

QUICK INTRO

Birthplace: Seoni, Madhya Pradesh.

Education: School- Kendriya Vidyalaya, Chandigarh, Graduation- Delhi University, MBA- Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, PhD- Barkatullah University, Bhopal

Profession: Associate Professor, TERI School of Advanced Science.

 

Dr. Shruti Rana joins us for a discussion on climate change and sustainability in the University of Life segment of Griha Hashobha. Shruti became a part of Vividh Bharati’s Vigyan Vani program at the age of six and then had the opportunity to present a paper at UNICEF during her sixth-grade year. In this interview, she shares some guidance and advice based on her career journey and experience for students, especially those interested in pursuing a career in climate change and sustainability:

Which school subjects include climate change and sustainability from an early date?

Climate change and sustainability should be included in every subject. If you want someone to understand electricity consumption, it is essential that it is taught from childhood. That is why NCERT has now included it in primary education in EVS, Social Science. In higher classes, you will find it in topics like ecosystem, biodiversity, food chain in Biology. In Chemistry, we are studying nitrogen cycle, greenhouse gases, pollution, energy systems, climate processes in Physics. Their misuse in Economics is related to business and finance, We look at the effects on society. Social sciences deal with individual behavior.

What are the specializations in sustainability and how to choose them?

A specialization should first be of interest to you, and secondly, the impact you want to create. Before taking any course, students should ask themselves, “Why am I doing this?” What difference will it make? Is it problem-solving? Only when a student feels they are both interested in it and able to create an impact should they pursue that course or specialization.

Now, regarding the specializations available in the sustainability sector, there are many options, as climate change and sustainability are deeply embedded in every sector today. If you’re interested in business, consider a BBA in Sustainability Management. If you’re interested in economics, consider studying Nature Economics and Resources at BSc. You can also pursue an MBA in Sustainability Management. For UPSC aspirants, they can study Climate Science and Policy. Today, the business sector is increasingly discussing ECG (Environmental, Social, and Governance). Therefore, businesses that lag behind and fail to engage with these will fail. Previously, the focus was solely on CSR, but now climate change and sustainability are being incorporated into every field.

What factors should be considered when choosing a college?

First, look at the faculty. See their experience and research. Second, look at the university’s collaborations. Which industries and ministries it’s affiliated with, because practical exposure is crucial for students, and collabs are useful for that. Third, learn about alumni success stories and see what they’re doing now. Also, consider career prospects, infrastructure, resources, and location, because you learn as much outside of class as you do inside.

There’s theory in the classroom, but practicals outside, and when you sit down to do practicals, you face different challenges. Each student’s understanding is different, so colleges should provide students with practicals, only then will complete learning occur. Another important point here is to try to attend a multidisciplinary college so you have the opportunity to learn more subjects, because today everything is interconnected.

If you’re in science or management, you’re also involved in technology. Therefore, exposure to everything is essential. Understanding this, the UGC’s New Education Policies require undergraduate courses to include additional subjects in addition to your major. For example, if you’re in marketing or finance, you’ll also be taught creative skills and programming.

What skills are necessary in the sustainability sector?

Today, the World Economic Forum reports a 70% skills gap, which is not good for any career sector. Looking at the sustainability sector, we’re finding a shortage of people with ESG skills, HR diversity skills, and data analyst skills.

There’s a lack of skilled manpower in sectors like climate modeling, green hydrogen, and renewable energy. Communication skills, data-driven storytelling, people management, stakeholder engagement, problem-solving, and critical thinking are all lacking, and all jobs revolve around these. Therefore, if you master both your technical and soft skills, your career prospects expand and the skills gap will be filled.

How much scope is seen in the climate change and sustainability sector in the coming times?

Today, sustainability verticals have opened up across industries where there’s a shortage of skilled manpower, indicating a high demand for sustainability students. Entry-level positions in the sustainability sector include ECG analysts and corporate interns. There’s scope in renewable energy industries and climate change consulting firms. ESG is also available in investing, finance, economics, NGOs, and the World Bank. Additionally, a new and significant domain has emerged in India: the carbon market, which offers ample job opportunities.

In this field, you’ll need to cultivate a habit of continuous learning, as it’s rapidly changing. You need strong foundational knowledge, motivation, a passion for creating impact, curiosity, and a dedication to continuous learning. You’ll need to continually hone your skills and be prepared for challenges and change, as job relevance is essential. Those with strong job skills will survive. Previously, innovation took six months, but now it’s a continuous process, and so many fail because they lack curiosity and the desire to learn constantly.

How to Promote Sustainability in the Indian Education System?

Climate change and sustainability shouldn’t be a separate subject; it should be incorporated everywhere, in every subject, because it’s connected to everything. So, schools should teach students reuse, recycling, and sustainable consumption, just like an Indian housewife who budgets for everything, reusing some things and recycling others. Similarly, we should also learn and adopt sustainability.

CAREER TIPS

  • In this field, you will have to develop the habit of constantly learning because it is changing very rapidly.
  • Entry-level ECG analysts and corporate interns are in high demand in the sustainability sector. There’s scope in renewable energy industries and climate change consulting firms.

 

-Rajni Prasad