As CSR and corporate sustainability continue to grow in popularity, an increasing number of people are choosing to pursue careers devoted to helping companies carry out these socially-minded missions. However, it can be difficult for undergraduates and recent grads to figure out how to enter the field. Fortunately, CSR and corporate sustainability are both very broad fields, and there are a number of opportunities available for continuing education as well as entry-level jobs for people of all backgrounds.
There is no right way to embark on a career in CSR, and there is no straightforward path to a corporate sustainability position. However, for students unsure where to start, I have compiled the following set of resources. Read about the distinctions and overlaps between CSR and corporate sustainability; learn about the history of CSR, various definitions, and current debates about how it should be practiced; explore a small selection of the different career paths, entry points, industries, and jobs available in these fields; and look through advice provided by Duke alumni. This is by no means an exhaustive resource, but I hope that students will find it useful as they start to think about what comes after graduation.
The information contained in the following five sections is based on a survey of literature conducted using Duke Library databases as well as testimony from five extremely kind and helpful Duke alumni currently working in CSR and Corporate Sustainability. I contacted each of them using the Duke Alumni Directory and received two sets of responses via Qualtrics, two via email, and one via phone.
Margaret Overton Sustainability Certificate Portfolio 