As consumers and companies prioritize environmental and social awareness in business, the resulting shift has opened new career opportunities and changed existing ones. BusinessBecause, an organization highlighting news and advice for business-minded graduate students, teamed up with the Kogod School of Business to discuss these opportunities and highlight Kogod’s master’s in sustainability management (MSSM) program. BusinessBecause writer Lili Cariou spoke with MSSM program alumni Josh Kaplan and Samantha Kenny, program director David Bartlett, and director of graduate admissions Lisa Francis about modern education in sustainability and how it can translate into a fulfilling career.
Since graduating from the MSSM program, Kaplan has worked as a market research lead for the Clean Energy Buyers’ Association. This organization works with other institutions to inform and advise on green energy initiatives. Meanwhile, Kenny is a senior program officer for the World Wildlife Fund and focuses on food waste solutions in the hospitality and food service sectors. They both earned undergraduate degrees in environmental studies, though their paths to the MSSM program differed slightly. Kaplan had enjoyed the interdisciplinary nature of his bachelor’s degree and wanted to expand his knowledge base further by pursuing a business education related to his interests.