Category Archives: Job Market Insights

Interview: AI and sustainability jobs

By Shannon Houde | Published: 17. 3. 2020

WorkingNation interviewed leaders in sustainability at the GreenBiz 20 Conference in Arizona as part of their #WorkingNationOverheard campaign. Shannon Houde is the founder of Walk of Life Coaching, the first international career development and talent advisory business focused on the sustainability, CSR and impact sectors. In this clip, Shannon talks about artificial intelligence as a job or career game-changer. “Something to be aware of if you’re getting into sustainability and interested in technology,” Shannon tells us, “is definitely AI.” Shannon’s passion

Keynote: Business can save the world

By Shannon Houde | Published: 15. 3. 2020

People are business and people are what can and should ‘save the world’. That was my message at the Cambridge International Development Conference where we discussed the ethics of international development and business. In my speech on responsible business I put forward the five key skills that champions for sustainable development will need to be the change: People skills outside of silos Change leadership Systems thinking Partnership building Innovation Watch my video below and let me know if you agree.

How Google.org accelerates social good with artificial intelligence

By Shannon Houde | Published: 11. 3. 2020

After realizing the potential to affect change while studying systems engineering at the University of Virginia, Brigitte Hoyer Gosselink began her journey to discover how technology might have a scalable impact on the world. Gosselink worked within international development and later did strategy consulting for nonprofits before joining Google.org, where she is focused on increasing social impact and environmental sustainability work at innovative nonprofits. We talked to her about her efforts as head of product impact to bring emerging technology

5 Reasons why our online course will point you to Purpose

By Shannon Houde | Published: 9. 5. 2019

You asked, we answered: affordable and accessible career coaching has claimed its spot within Walk of Life. Whether you’re changing careers, returning to the workforce, or feeling engulfed in career fog without purpose, here’s why our online course should be at the top of your priority list: We’ve done most of the work for you Get our proprietary toolkit – created after a 20-year career as a recruiter, CR consultant and business strategist, I’ve seen all the mistakes that jobseekers make

HR can grow sustainability, here’s how

By Shannon Houde | Published: 2. 1. 2018

At many organizations, small sustainability teams have been operating as a stand-alone department. Now, companies are keen to grow sustainability leadership. While this shows exciting progress, the transition often leaves HR executives unclear on how to support the development of existing teams while making sense of the core competencies their non-sustainability staff will need. Welcome to the minefield. Sustainability is a notoriously woolly and evolving agenda, and as the competitive advantage from engaging with it becomes more established, likewise the

Why complexity is challenging change leaders: top takeaways from impact leadership events

By Shannon Houde | Published: 3. 7. 2017

Just 8 billionaires own ½ the world’s wealth. Global water demand will increase at least 37% by 2050. Inequalities are up and family income is down. I don’t know about you, but these facts stir me up. How can I help be a part of the change? Every day I work with leaders and impact professionals and like my clients, I am always trying to do and be better. Last month, I attended two events that helped me to think

Guest Post: Want a career in sustainability & CSR? This is for you.

By Luna Atamian | Published: 11. 5. 2017

Sustainability or CSR is an evolving, diverse and growing field. There are no prerequisite profiles or qualifications to enter this field, which makes it more challenging because there is no clear path. The good news is that our Salterbaxter North America team sat down to discuss key traits that successful sustainability and corporate social responsibility professionals share. Enjoy! Know your niche Sustainability and CSR is a broad field and professionals often come from different backgrounds – whether from law, finance,

Tip: Innovate from within your company

By Shannon Houde | Published: 3. 3. 2017

The new job title for innovators within companies is: Corporate Social Entrepreneurs or Intrapreneurs. Learn more about what they do and how you can make a career change using your innovation skills in this video blog. For some bespoke advice on career change navigation and personal positioning, contact me for a 30-minute initial consultation.

How to get a job in sustainability

By Shannon Houde | Published: 21. 1. 2017

In December, Eban Goodstein, Director of the Bard MBA program at the Bard Center for Environmental Policy, opened his webinar with a simple question. “Will there still be jobs in sustainability given the results of the Presidential election?” His answer – yes. Though Donald Trump’s presidency will likely cause the nature of work in the sustainability sector to change, the nature of our reality will not change. Regardless of who sits in the Oval Office, we must figure out how to meet the

The many routes to your dream impact job

By Shannon Houde | Published: 22. 12. 2016

If you are like many job seekers, you may feel lost negotiating the rocky terrain of impact careers. No one can deny the accessibility of a well-blazed trail like lawyers, doctors and teachers have. But have no fear! There are many exciting possibilities in mapping your own path – your dream job isn’t as far away as you think! The direct route: impact investing Impact investing is emerging as a vibrant new field that seeks measurable social and environmental impact alongside