My Sustain-AHA-bility Moment
Ready to take the plunge into a purpose-driven career? Debbie Prenatt has some great tips.
“I think I’ll just watch,” I said to my husband as we discussed the possibility of a summer alpine bobsled course, part of a pre-COVID vacation to Switzerland. I am the practical one in the relationship—compared to my professional skydiver spouse—and prefer vegetable gardening, cooking, and reading to hurtling downhill or through the sky (I don’t need to buckle up and wear a helmet to have a good time).
After that initial conversation, I didn’t give the summer bobsled event much thought, because there were so many factors that could prevent our ability to actually experience the ‘Rodelbahn Toboggan.’ But wouldn’t you know it, that August 2018 summer day was picture perfect: blue skies, crisp mountain air and the only thing between us and 1350 meters of aluminum half pipe was about 20 miles of winding roads to get to the top of the Fräkmüntegg mountain.
I found myself staring at the large ‘START’ sign at the beginning of the course, conscious of the decision ahead of me to either ‘watch’ or ‘do,’ and decided to accept the challenge, step into something new and unknown, for the ‘unforgettable experience’ that the website promised.
Palms sweaty, breathing quickly, I familiarized myself with the steering and braking mechanism in the bobsled and headed down the mountain. My fear was quickly replaced with the thrill of a new experience, and I quickly shifted from a ‘watcher’ to a ‘sledder.’
After a few runs, I took a break to get some refreshments at the snack stand of the family owned and operated establishment. When I went to dispose of my water bottle, I was met with something that I had not seen before—a sign above the waste collection bins that described the business’ commitment to ZeroWaste Switzerland, an organization that promoted the reduction of waste by raising public awareness.
This sign—not a bobsled—stopped me in my tracks. What was ‘Zero Waste?’
I had recently learned about the circular economy and could feel a fire starting to burn in my belly as I tried to reconcile my day job in thermoplastic resin sales with my personal aspiration to live a more sustainable life. It was in this moment, high atop a mountain in the Swiss Alps, that I decided to quit watching from the sidelines and start my pivot to a sustainability career, ultimately, in the plastics industry. If this family-owned business could make a commitment to make an impact, I certainly could, too.
Today, I lead the Marketing Efforts for Sustainable Products at M. Holland, a leading international distributor of thermoplastic resins, and coordinate sustainability strategies across the company.
For people who are looking to make a similar pivot in their career, I recommend the following:
1. Know Your Skills
Taking the time to identify your natural talents, skills and strengths is a great way to build a foundation that will help you maximize your potential in a new role or company. I used the science-based assessment, Gallup CliftonStrengths, to understand what makes me unique, along with a career coach who helped me turn these attributes into accomplishment statements (You can also buy the book StrengthsFinder 2.0 by Tom Rath).
2. Build Your Knowledge
Gaining practical experience in Sustainability was a challenge for me, especially while I was looking to break into the field. I found the knowledge and business simulation experience that I gained from the ‘Leading the Sustainability Transformation’ course powered by WholeWorks to be invaluable as I interviewed for roles in Sustainability and had to demonstrate a working knowledge of core competencies. This is a completely virtual course, designed for working professionals. There are other online courses as well, although in my experience, the simulation with WholeWorks is a unique learning experience, for less than half the cost of a single masters course. There are plenty of sustainability MBA programs and courses as well—but they are typically more expensive. You can also find plenty of free webinars from WholeWorks, GreenBiz, Reuters Events, CERES, Sustainable Brands, Net Impact, and many other organizations. Although those don’t have the benefit of a professional credential, they can be excellent learning experiences.
3. Rebrand Yourself ‘Green’
Making an investment to update your LinkedIn profile & resume to align past professional experiences with future ‘green career’ aspirations, communicate your personal vision and tell your unique story—it's a ‘must have’ when launching a sustainability-focused job search. I worked with Purposeful Hire to do this.
4. Make Meaningful Connections
Connecting with like-minded Sustainability professionals, in different areas of the ‘green economy,’ is a great way to build your network. Consider joining LinkedIn Groups such as “Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility,” “Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) & Sustainable Development (Sustainability),” “Women in Sustainability Network.” Be bold and ask new connections for 15-minute sustainability chats to learn more about their experience or consider joining industry associations, such as the International Society of Sustainability Professionals (ISSP), to continually broaden your network.
My journey in sustainability that has taken many twists and turns similar—like the summer bobsled course where I had my AHA moment. As the Rodelbahn Toboggan website states, “Whether you rush down to the valley at high speed or enjoy the ride at a leisurely pace – everyone sets their own pace.” One just needs to take a chance, START, and enjoy the ride!
Photos provided by Debbie Prenatt.
About the author:
Debbie Prenatt
Debbie Prenatt is a plastics industry professional, people & planet advocate and food insecurity warrior. She is a 2020 Leading the Sustainability Transformation alumni (powered by WholeWorks) who works as a Market Manager-Sustainability for M Holland Company. She resides in Columbus, Ohio, with her skydiving husband and dog named Roo Boxer, and enjoys doing things that don’t require a helmet such as gardening, cooking, and volunteering with organizations including the Dublin Food Pantry, Lasagna Love and Dress for Success Columbus.
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