Comments on: Want a CSR Job? Read This First.

By: Ashley

Ashley — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 18:08:37 +0000

Actually, yes, I have read that Net Impact guide – it’s a great resource for ideas and inspiration, and a reminder that change can be part of anyone’s job description. Thanks for the reminder!

By: Matthew Rochte, Opportunity Sustainability

Matthew Rochte, Opportunity Sustainability — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 17:52:37 +0000

Have you read the NetImpact guide about intrapreneurship? Making Your Impact at Work: A Practical Guide to Changing the World From Inside Any Company Many CSR/Green/Sustainability movements are happening inside of companies rather than from executive positions. They start as grass roots internal network movements that then get the attention of the leadership. This is sort of the back door path to CSR leadership. Best Buy's CR movement started this way and was completely lay led until last year when they hired a CR director from their internal leadership team. Matthew Rochte, LEED AP CSR / Sustainability Consultant Opportunity Sustainability Twitter: @mrochte for CSR and Sustainability trends and observations Twitter: @greenjobadvice for trends and observations on green jobs

By: Ashley

Ashley — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:32:30 +0000

Hi Matthew, thanks for your comment and interesting insights into the CSR job market.
It’s very interesting to me that there does seem to be a recent increase in high-level, sophisticated CSR jobs – and yet this is balanced against the clear expectation from companies that CSR “hopefuls” (aka: me and other recent MBA grads) get experience inside the business before transitioning into CSR. On the one hand, this makes sense – you clearly need to understand your business in order to create an integrated and strategic CSR plan. Yet don’t all of those advanced/senior-level CSR executives need to build a team (however small) of motivated and smart employees to help execute that plan? This is the $64,000 question that I struggle with – perhaps with time we’ll see an increase in manager or entry-level CSR positions, but for now, that’s clearly not the case (at least not on job boards – there’s no way to tell how many lower-level positions are filled purely through networking).
Anyway, thanks for your comments and encouragement! I’ll be sure to keep you and the readers of The Changebase updated as I figure out my next career move.
-Ashley

By: Matthew Rochte, Opportunity Sustainability

Matthew Rochte, Opportunity Sustainability — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:37:13 +0000

Great post and comments Ashley. Having tracked the CSR job market myself over the past 18 months or so I've seen many of the same findings that Ellen over at Sustainability Recruiting has seen. In recent months there has certainly been an uptick in the number of positions available in CSR, sustainability, and corporate citizenship. These are far more sophisticated job postings than even six months ago. The companies seem to know more about what they want. They are still struggling in terms of how to define what the qualifications should be. One thing that recruiters keep telling me is how many candidates apply for these jobs that simply have no understanding of the business case for CSR or sustainability and have no business experience. The firms only want business leaders with solid business experience with an awareness of CSR and sustainability, not the other way around. You can have all the environmental/social justice/cause marketing background you want, but without actual business application and experience, you will not be considered. Sounds like you are crafting the right kind of education, internship, and job experience to make you a viable candidate. Good luck and I look forward to seeing you out there! Matthew Rochte, LEED AP CSR / Sustainability Consultant Opportunity Sustainability Twitter: @mrochte for CSR and Sustainability trends and observations

By: Janice Parsons

Janice Parsons — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 03:55:16 +0000

This is such a great post. It’s very challenging bringing a new perspective to the oldest profession; commerce. Change is unknown and usually unproven. As the executive said to me, ” I don’t know what I like. But I know what I like when I see it.”
Each one of you needs to bring your best game to every job. It’s true what you say, you might not get there going through the front door, but once you prove yourself, your self will prove of value.
Good luck to you and your fellow MBA’s. The benefits you bring to business is finding its place as you speak.
Yes, I’m your proud mom, but I’m also a tough business person!
xoxox

By: Ashley

Ashley — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 00:23:16 +0000

Hi Marcus, you’re right – there are definitely CSR opportunities out there (and trust me, I’m looking for them!). But I also agree that job seekers need to find opportunities to do work that they enjoy, at companies they respect – which in many cases means taking a non-CSR job to start. But from what I hear, getting your foot in the door is 90% of the battle – once on the inside, internal candidates tend to have a great shot at any CSR jobs that come up (or even creating their own).
Thanks for as always for your input!

By: Marcus Chung

Marcus Chung — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 03:38:37 +0000

Don’t despair! There are still opportunities out there…

From my experience, as CSR functions mature, they need more specialized employees. Like an IT specialist with CSR interest or a specialized communicator to help with CSR comms.

This also reinforces the need for more CSR professionals who come from “the business” (I HATE how people differentiate CSR from the rest of the business, but this is how people describe the work at many companies.), so make sure you enter a non-CSR role you’re passionate about – because you may be doing it for many years later within a CSR department.

By: Ashley

Ashley — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 02:54:59 +0000

Hi Leslie, thanks for your comment. And you’re so right – you have to remain positive and open to whatever comes your way. If sustainability is your passion, focus on it and find ways to make yourself as competitive as you can when it comes to your internship and job search.

I think my only reminder to you would be to make sure you also find a business function that you enjoy and you’re good at – and focus on that just as much as your sustainability coursework. Who knows what’ll happen with the CSR job market in the next few years – but my sense is the best CSR managers are the ones who truly understand the business they’re in (not to mention who have that business experience under their belts). The CSR job can always be a goal, but it’s important to be realistic that it might not come right after graduation.

Then again – what do I know?! I’m still looking for a CSR job myself, so we’ll see! Good luck in school and thanks for your comment.

By: Leslie Back

Leslie Back — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 23:38:39 +0000

As a sustainable MBA student (will be second masters degree) starting later this month, yes, this gives me pause. But, I am keeping the faith-sharpening the skills and remaining open to ALL kinds of possibilities. Let the adventure begin. Thanks for a great post!

Leslie Back
http://twitter.com/lback63

By: uberVU - social comments

uberVU - social comments — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 23:16:23 +0000

Social comments and analytics for this post…

This post was mentioned on Twitter by JasonSerino: RT @AshleyJablow – Want a #CSR job? My take on job search strategy (incl new data from @SustainableJobs) – http://bit.ly/bjOQmW…