Tom Zetsch - MSc Governance of Sustainability Transitions

“One such career path surrounds the field of ‘participation’ or ‘public engagement’ within sustainability or energy transition fields. In the German job market, for instance, there appear to be growing opportunities related to participation and public engagement. This trend makes sense since sustainability transformations almost inevitably imply (perceived) disruptions of people’s vicinity and space. The expansion of windmills constitutes a prominent example that regularly causes discussions among locals, potentially impacting the wind energy project.

Constructing wind parks is a field that is increasingly accompanied by efforts to increase acceptance and public engagement. The mobility transition is another, from my experience, sector with increasing opportunities in public engagement. Many of my fellow students, however, pursue their interests in the food and agricultural sectors, often focusing on inclusive sustainable transitions. Since public engagement operates at different levels of a governance system, this programme offers as a strong foundation for positions in this field. With experience, graduates can qualify for roles such as policy officers at NGOs or government institutions.

Consulting positions are also possible with a certain degree of hands-on experience. Internships are an ideal entry point into the job market, allowing you to apply your knowledge, methods, and skills while gaining practical experience that employers highly value. At a broader level, I would say that this programme, in principle, enables career paths in companies, government bodies, and NGOs. Within these settings, there are various transition fields, e.g., mobility, agriculture, or energy infrastructure. I would advise, however, to be cognisant of career goals and to align courses and their content accordingly, setting the foundation for expertise in at least one key area.”

Networking and job search

“Internships are an ideal starting point to expand your network as companies or organisation are always connected with other organisations. It is important to keep in mind that the vast majority of vacancies requires at least one to three years of job experience. A job entry can be difficult if you do not have an extensive and relevant network. Internships provide the most easy entry into a job. LinkedIn provides a simple but effective platform for networking as well. When I started applying for jobs, I naturally started with the organisations I was familiar with. I quickly recognised that that the job market was much broader than I anticipated. Thus, I would recommend to do extensive research into vacancies and jobs websites. The more you explore, the more options you will discover.”

Application of skills and knowledge

“In my work, I benefit from the broad understanding of global sustainability challenges and policies I gained through the program. My role requires me to quickly identify sustainability challenges that companies may face; for instance, a steel company might struggle with high energy costs and environmental regulations. The program's "big-picture" perspective on sustainability provided a solid foundation for my current responsibilities. The communication skills emphasised in the program are also critical. Daily, I reach out to companies, engaging with decision-makers on sustainability issues.

My thesis and internship particularly helped me develop the ability to convey complex information clearly and engage with stakeholders effectively. The European Workshop was another excellent course that honed my ability to communicate scientific findings in an accessible and focused manner. Teamwork is another crucial skill fostered in this program. Many courses involved collaborative projects, with the European Workshop requiring nearly daily teamwork across multiple groups. This course especially helped me develop the skill of transferring knowledge between disciplines—a crucial ability, as colleagues often come from varied scientific backgrounds.”

Advice for prospective students

“The academic consultancy training course was likely my favourite. In job interviews, I often mentioned it as a practical consultancy experience. While it sparked employers' interest, I found that, on its own, it didn’t qualify me as an ideal candidate for consultancy positions. Feedback indicated that more practical experience was needed. An internship is an ideal way to build on this course if you’re aiming for consultancy work, as it provides realistic preparation for such roles.

As I neared graduation and began applying for jobs, I realised the value of developing expertise in a specific area. Given the program's broad curriculum, I recommend focusing early on a few topics of interest and delving into them through various courses. This focus not only builds expertise but also allows each course to serve as relevant experience to potential employers. In my interview experiences, I learned that depth of expertise in one or two areas is generally more valued than broad but shallow knowledge across many. My advice would be to specialise in one or two key areas. To do so, choose and design your coursework, thesis, and internship with this focus in mind.”

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