Working for a sustainable future as a university student

My passion for sustainability was ignited during my year abroad at the University of South Carolina Aiken, where I enrolled in my first environmental economics course. It was there that I was struck by the impact of businesses and individuals on climate change and the alarming decline in biodiversity across the globe. 

Motivated by a desire to drive change, I made the commitment to dedicate my career to reshaping businesses for a more sustainable future. Upon my return to the IÉSEG School of Management in France, I wasted no time in immersing myself in every elective course related to corporate social responsibility.

I joined ACT Paris (Actors for Change and Transition), the environmental student organisation at IÉSEG. Through ACT Paris, my team and I led school-wide events, I designed peer-training sessions and I held various leadership roles, from event coordinator and head of training to secretary and finally the role of president.

I loved my time in ACT, both for the lessons I learned and for the people I met. I was surrounded by students with a shared passion and I was empowered to drive change alongside them. 

Additionally, I engaged with the global sustainability association, The Climate Fresk, where I organised workshops based on the findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports.

These experiences taught me valuable lessons. First, organising events such as the Green Career Day, where students met with companies and discussed social and economic issues along with corporate responsibility, to find impactful internships or jobs. This broadened my understanding of the diverse interventions that can be possible in sustainability.

Second, it showed that there are different levels of awareness among individuals on these issues. 

Finally, it cemented my belief that collaborative approaches are essential for driving effective and lasting sustainable changes. 

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I also took part in the Responsible Leaders initiative, where we created the sustainability certificate that rewards students engaged in sustainability throughout their schooling at IÉSEG. Divided into four categories – academic, engagement, experience and thesis – this award recognises and celebrates students’ efforts to building a more sustainable society. 

Wanting to lead structural change beyond student-focused activities, I accepted a position as CSR (corporate social responsibility) coordinator at IÉSEG.

I led the Responsible Leaders programme and helped draft IÉSEG’s application for France’s DDRS certification. This certificate recognises a higher education institution’s commitment to implementing sustainable practices. We secured the maximum accreditation of four years. 

This role gave me great insights into the complexities of rallying stakeholders under a unified vision for sustainable change. This position meant a lot more than just work; it was an adventure of learning, growth and making a real impact. I’m grateful for the chance to have been a part of something so meaningful and rewarding. 

My dedication to sustainability was further emphasised when I represented IÉSEG at the World Economic Forum, where I led a round-table discussion on sustainability in business schools using the Positive Impact Rating.

Engaging in discussions with deans, business education leaders, CEOs and dedicated students empowered me to share my insights on this important topic and to explore alternative viewpoints. This experience solidified my belief in the power of collective action and my ability to lead impactful projects.

In a practical business context, I learnt about sustainability practices during my thesis project at Guillemot Corporation, a tech company with a focus on gaming accessories and music controllers. There I did a comprehensive review of internal communication processes, benchmarked industry leaders and labels, and presented recommendations to the executive committee. This provided me with first-hand knowledge of the challenges of and opportunities arising from implementing sustainable business practices in current working environments. 

I have most recently joined Back Market, a marketplace for refurbished tech, for my final-year internship as a circularity project manager intern in Barcelona, Spain.

Looking ahead, my long-term goal is to drive change as a leader in the CSR department of a major entertainment company or to set up my own start-up focused on sustainable event planning. 

I will always cherish my past experiences because they have shaped who I am today and gave me the motivation to push forward in every situation.

My journey in sustainability has equipped me with the skills, knowledge, and determination to effect meaningful change in the corporate world and guide them towards a more sustainable future.

For any other students wishing to make an impact in the sustainability space, I would recommend joining as many sustainable societies and courses at your university as possible.