Career guidance with a focus on sustainability – Experiences from the City of Zurich Career Centre
Author: Erhard Brodmann, Career Professional, City of Zurich Career Centre
Guidance in transition – new questions, new answers
Questions about sustainability are becoming increasingly common in career information, advising, guidance and counselling. Clients seeking these services (especially adults aged 30 and above) are increasingly interested in meaningful work, environmentally relevant career fields and the future viability of their jobs. This change is also evident at the City of Zurich’s Career Centre, Switzerland’s largest centre of expertise for career and professional issues. It supports thousands of people every year in their career decisions – and has recognised that the transformation of the labour market towards a green economy requires career professionals to have specific knowledge about the development of the green economy and these aspects of guidance. We are convinced that our guidance services can play a key role in shaping career opportunities in the green economy. At the same time, we can act as a multiplier in tackling the climate crisis, as the economic transformation requires a variety of skilled workers.
Nevertheless, our principle is that if there are no indications of sustainable activity, we do not address the issue in the interests of impartiality; we do not proselytise on this topic. For Michèle Rosenheck, the director of the centre, “every person does have opportunities to engage with environmental issues. My role is to integrate these important topics into our career guidance and enhance knowledge about possibilities in these fields. We support people to find their own ways to gain agency and move out of a passive role. Our job is to listen carefully and explore with the client what is important to them in their professional career. ‘Green topics’ are just as much a part of this as all other aspects of career guidance. It should be a natural and integral part of our guidance work: we are not on a mission to convert, but rather we explore the client’s wishes and possibilities together. So, for me there is no such thing as ‘green guidance.’ Like other topics, knowledge about sustainability, circular economy, etc. is among the competencies I expect from our counsellors.”
Strategically anchoring sustainability
In response to this development, a sustainability working group was set up at the Career Centre. The aim was to systematically anchor the topic in the guidance service and to provide new tools, information and resources. An important project of this group was to compile a list of career opportunities in Zurich’s environmental economy. The specially created website ‘Environment and Career’ contains a structured list of companies and institutions in Zurich’s environmental economy, as well as information on training and further education and references to specialised job platforms. The platform is valued equally by those seeking advice and those providing it – it provides orientation and shows realistic prospects in a growing job market.
Guidance tools for practice
In addition to expanding the content, new guidance tools have also been developed. One example is a set of cards based on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It was developed by S. Rochat and J. Masdonati in French-speaking Switzerland under the title ‘À Ton Tour’ and revised for the German-speaking Swiss audience at the Career Centre, where it was given the official UN icons. It helps those seeking advice to reflect on their own values and suitable forms of professional engagement. Existing methods such as ‘IKIGAI’ and ‘Images for career planning’ are also used specifically to identify sustainable career paths. Such tools promote self-reflection and make sustainability tangible in guidance sessions.
Building competence through training and exchange
Knowledge development and continuous professional development are essential for careers professional to be able to provide sound advice on sustainability issues. The Career Centre therefore offers internal training courses on green guidance and has succeeded in having the topic included in the curriculum of two out of three Swiss degree programmes in vocational, study and career guidance. In addition, the Career Centre organises public information events on career opportunities in Zurich’s environmental economy. We also maintain regular contact with other career information centres in Switzerland that are also committed to this topic, such as the BIZ Bern.
It is striking that young people hardly ever bring up the topic of sustainability. This contrasts with studies that show that they are very concerned about climate change. A great deal of sensitivity is therefore required in guidance sessions to identify and address the issue of sustainability. Existing interest tests also hardly touch on the topic – we are therefore committed to further developing these tools.
Five ways to get involved – promoting individual solutions
A career change to a traditional environmental profession is not possible or realistic for everyone seeking advice. That is why various options are explored during guidance session, depending on the individual’s life situation, interests and the job market. The following five paths to a sustainable career have proven successful in our guidance practice:
- Commitment in your existing job or company, e.g. through sustainable projects or initiatives. We also chose this path with the Sustainability Working Group.
- Changing jobs to the environmental sector, for example to start-ups or established green companies. Job offers can be found on specialised job platforms.
- Further training with an environmental focus in order to take on new tasks or management roles.
- Lateral entry into an environmental profession, depending on interests, skills and the job market situation.
- Private engagement that is meaningful and also contributes to a more sustainable lifestyle.
Guidance creates room for manoeuvre and boosts confidence
Experience shows that sustainability is also a source of personal motivation for professional commitment. Many clients find it meaningful to contribute to solving ecological challenges. Guidance can help them find suitable ways to do so, whether through their career, further training or personal commitments. This gives clients hope and the ability to act. Based on her research, psychologist Tatjana Schnell has come to the conclusion that ‘generativity’ is experienced as particularly meaningful. She understands “generativity” to mean an attitude towards life in which people feel connected to future generations, humanity and the environment in general. She described her findings in her book ‘Psychologie des Lebenssinns’ (The Psychology of Meaning in Life), published in 2016. When we do something concrete to combat the ecological crises, we feel less helpless in the face of current events. Such commitment can be very satisfying and enjoyable. We can get involved, learn a lot and at the same time network with people who are also committed.
Career practitioners as bridge builders
The ecological transformation of our economy requires skilled workers – and good guidance. Career professionals can play a central role in this process: as bridge builders between personal values and social change.
The experience of the Zurich Career Centre shows that sustainable career guidance is possible, effective and in demand. Those who support people in their professional commitment to ecological transformation do more than provide individual assistance – they help shape our future.