Log in or create a free Rosenverse account to watch this video.
Log in Create free account100s of community videos are available to free members. Conference talks are generally available to Gold members.
Summary
How do you choose the right workplace for maximum impact? Our panelists will share their experiences in finding roles that align with their values and impact goals. We will explore the nuances of assessing company commitments and project potential. Whether you’re actively job searching or planning ahead, this discussion will help you navigate the evolving field of Climate tech. Panelists: Max Gadney, Joshua Stehr, Hannah Wickes Moderator: Andrea Petrucci
Key Insights
-
•
Evaluating a climate company's 'theory of change' reveals how seriously they plan to deliver impact.
-
•
Humility and openness about challenges in leadership signal more trustworthy climate employers.
-
•
Avoid companies reliant on fossil fuel funding or serving fossil fuel clients to protect ethical alignment.
-
•
Examining impact reports and company advisors helps detect possible greenwashing or mission drift.
-
•
Considering the maturity stage of a startup guides skill fit—early stages need generalists, later stages need specialists.
-
•
Mapping personal lived experience or curiosity to specific climate systems aids in choosing purpose-driven roles.
-
•
Financial runway questions during interviews help assess project stability and set realistic expectations.
-
•
Climate sector roles often demand balancing impact goals with personal financial and mental bandwidth.
-
•
Large corporates, though imperfect, can be good places to develop skills and later enable system change.
-
•
Multiple, smaller impactful actions combined contribute to meaningful climate work; direct and indirect impact both matter.
Notable Quotes
"I always ask, what is your theory of change? How do you plan to achieve your outcomes?"
"If fossil fuel companies are your first client or funder, I’m out. That’s a clear line for me."
"Interview the company as much as they’re interviewing you, be curious and critical."
"Sometimes it helps to think of your career like an investor, choosing where to put your time and energy."
"There’s no perfect regenerative business right now, but it’s about if they’re going in the right direction to improve."
"Ask about the company’s financial runway; it guides how much time you have to make an impact."
"Employees can shift big companies, but culture and profit pressure can make that really hard."
"Climate jobs vary and not all need digital outputs, so don’t waste time pursuing a bad fit."
"Follow your curiosity deeply, and that thread can lead you to impactful climate work."
"It’s a subjective decision what compromises you make, but clarity on your non-negotiables is critical."
Or choose a question:
More Videos
"You need well-defined frameworks and guardrails for experimentation success to prevent chaos across teams."
Jemma Ahmed Steve Carrod Chris Geison Dr. Shadi Janansefat Christopher NashDemocratization: Working with it, not against it [Advancing Research Community Workshop Series]
July 24, 2024
"Having a design system is not the end goal; it enables radical cost cuts, reduces tech debt, and improves workflows."
Nina JurcicThe Design System Rollercoaster: From Enabler and Bottleneck to Catalyst for Change
October 3, 2023
"I try to position the system as an enabling force for designers to do their work better and succeed better."
Nathan Curtis Nalini P. Kotamraju Jack Moffett Dawn ResselDiscussion
June 9, 2016
"We had to be creative measuring accessibility success because we cannot detect screen reader use or certain disabilities directly."
Saara Kamppari-Miller Nicole Bergstrom Shashi JainKey Metrics: Comparing Three Letter Acronym Metrics That Include the Word “Key”
November 13, 2024
"The re-platforming journey is transformative not just for the product, but for the people and teams involved."
Malini RaoLessons Learned from a 4-year Product Re-platforming Journey
June 9, 2021
"85% of people were leaving after just looking at one page on the old site—that was a huge problem."
Mackenzie Cockram Sara Branco Cunha Ian FranklinIntegrating Qualitative and Quantitative Research from Discovery to Live
December 16, 2022
"If you signed up for a cohort, please make sure you’re in your private cohort channel to meet and discuss with your group."
Bria AlexanderOpening Remarks
June 9, 2021
"Growth boards meetings are aimed around being very honest about the health of your product."
Jackie HoLead Effectively While Preserving Team Autonomy with Growth Boards
January 8, 2024
"Electric car targets for the UK alone would demand more than the world's annual cobalt production."
Dan HillDesigning for the infrastructures of everyday life
June 4, 2024