Hello! I'm Kamilla studying business at Newcastle University. I'm looking into placements in CRS so can't wait for this webinar :)

Hi Everyone, I am Alicia Dear. I have just completed a MSc in Management & Corporate Sustainability at Cranfield and looking for a role in CSR

Hi, I'm a Community Investment Advisor at Wates - also an Aspire Committee Member.

Hi all, I work for Mace (construction)

Social Impact Manager with LinkedIn based in Dublin. Hi everyone.

Hi, I am Ha - working in Financial sector in London - trying to transition into CSR role

looking forward to today!

Hi I’m Louise, studying Geography at Royal Holloway :)

Hi everyone I'm William an international development consultant interested in moving into CSR

Hi All, I am a CSR Associate in the Financial Services sector - based in London :)

Hi, I work in Business Development for Teenage Cancer Trust - keen to move over to CSR!

Hi everyone!

Kerry Amory - Social Value Co-ordinator

Hey, I work in the Community Investment team at Axis Europe (construction)

Hi, I am a Masters student (International Trade and Investment Law) at the University of Amsterdam and I am looking for roles in CSR so this will provide me with great insight!

Hi everyone, I’m Becca from Zimbabwe! I’m looking for opportunities within CRS and ESG reporting.

Hello! I am currently working for an international development organisation and looking to transition into CSR

Hi , I am Priya Satish. I work in Be Collective a tech for Good Company as Corporate Responsibility and Strategy Manager.

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Yes! Have purpose, this is so important

Definitely! I think spending the time to self-reflect on what is important to you and what success means to you will help find your purpose!

🌟

I totally agree with this Karin. Sometimes we focus all our energy on the day to day job, but forget to focus on developing ourselves

that was brilliant - thank you

Any questions for Karin and Sam, put them in the chat! We’ll aim to answer them in Q&A!

#question - do you have any suggestions for how to stay on top of trends?

#question - wondering will the presentation be shared out to all the attendees on call?

#question - Are there any particular certifications in Sustainability you would recommend to get into CSR?

we can certainly share the presentation and the recording will also be uploaded to the ICRS website, e can circulate this too!

Thanks Maddison!

We’ll also be sharing a blog of the event too!

I have a lot of experience in societal issues but less so on environmental issues. How would I build that knowledge?

The ICRS framework is available here: https://icrs.info/cpd/competency-framework

Thank you :D

I second the questions on qualifications - if looking to move over to CSR from another career, are there courses we should be aware of to make sure we can compete?

What are some things I can do as a student (in a non-CRS major) that will provide some good building blocks for a CRS career? I have quite a bit of volunteering experience with cancer charities, but still want to broaden my knowledge and horizons as much as possible.

Rachel - I recently took this short 8-week Sustainable Business Management certification - would recommend! (https://online-short-courses.cisl.cam.ac.uk/presentations/lp/university-of-cambridge-business-sustainability-management-online-short-course/?ef_id=c:359012719321_d:c_n:g_ti:aud-392161264681:kwd-490161139832_p:_k:business%20sustainability%20management_m:e_a:65039566698&gclid=CjwKCAiA9vOABhBfEiwATCi7GKgsE3A8R_7nM3ANV2sXSb3-JzaO4iGvwyAlaY8Je6USSNQ17X6O7hoCDIIQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds)

#question (from the perspective of a potential career changer) many of the skills in the framework are transferable and could be developed in many different roles, but how would you develop capabilities in impact/sustainability reporting, as this seems a requirement in many jobs ads?

I've just started University of Cambridge Business Sustainability Management course - has anyone else done /doing this course and what are your thoughts?

Rachel - just saw your message that you did the course!

I was considering signing up to this Uni Cambridge course and was wondering how it compares to others

Hi Melisa, not sure if you saw my comment just shared I've done that course! Really enjoyed it, would be happy if you have questions about it

From your experience, what areas of sustainability need developed today?

Is this course a good route and where can it position you in line with the framework?

Are there specific academic backgrounds that employers in the field look out for or is it more to do with the skill set that you have developed through and during your studies?

Hi Melisa! I’ve done it too and I loved it!

The learning advice is absolutely bang on. I've enrolled on to IEMA Foundation Certificate in Environmental Management as I have absolutely no knowledge in this area.

Question - any specific advice for people transitioning from the international development sector to the CRS sector? I've been 12 years in UN, international NGOs and lots of overseas experience, but don't feel I always fit into sustainability JD's. Are CRS depts. interested in ID people?

thanks very much! This Cambridge course is very popular.

hi, is there appetite in the corporate sector to hire folks with grassroots and charity experience into CSR roles? and how does one make that transition?

#question - As new to the CSR in the corporate world - what is your advice overall to someone starting out. ( I loved the frame work and development plan which you have discussed). What type of courses/skills or learning paths did you use when starting out?

I’m mid career and looking to transition but finding the job titles are a struggle - hard to distinguish the roles that I might be able to transition to now from those with more technical/specialist aspects - any thoughts on this? I have met many others interested in a career in CSR/sustainability and struggling with this

It's a known fact that women are far less likely to apply for a role if they feel they are missing one or two advertised required skills. Take a tip from men and repurpose your skills to answer the question!

Great point Shana and Jane!

Thank you that’s very reassuring!!

Kusum I made the transition from the charity sector as did my co-chair Francesca so there is appetite! What helped me a lot was doing work around corporate partnerships through fundraising and probono projects. Any way of getting access to companies CSR teams

that's great advice, Maddison - thank you

Thank you Sam!

Influencing is a hugely important element for anyone senior in CR. Improving and honing those skills are vital.

I have to leave now but thank you very much this has been really useful

thank you Becky!

#question - There has been lots of comments in general media/public perception that CSR can be comparable to greenwashing or a luxury for a company ,especially a small-medium enterprise to have . How would you respond to that type of comment? It can be demoralising when the perception of a career in CSR isn't considered to be a "real" career.

Sam, Karin, how do you balance sustainability fatigue/ burnout whilst taking on opportunties and taking on responsibility?

Thanks for lovely webinar. I have to leave now.

Thank you Priya!

How can you tell if a company has an authentic commitment to CSR when applying for jobs?

How to build resilience after the failures?:)

Good question Sam

Great question Sam, thank you.

Rachel Elizabeth - your question is interesting. Rather than talking about your role through the lens of CSR, think about it in terms of ESG. That changes it as ESG reporting is becoming hugely important to investors and those organisations who ignore it will pay the price. There is a huge amount of information about the shifting ESG landscape - take a look.

I totally agree with Sam Healy, I was nervous going into my CRS job as felt a bit of a fraud, but actually I found I did have a lot of the skills and knowledge and the ones I didn't I have now developed. My job has pushed me develop these skills. This is one of the reason Maddie & Francesca started the aspire hub so we can ask and learn from each other if we do get stuck :)

Thanks Jane, never thought about that perspective before, will definitely look into it. Thank you so much!

Great virtues noted - Authenticity, humility, honesty and courage. Thank you!

thank you Karin!

Thinking about starting a career always felt so overwhelming for me but this webinar made me realise there is so much I can do to start! Thank you Sam, Karin and Kim this was very informative and inspiring

so inspiring

Kamilla that's fantastic to hear!

Thank you!

Thank you everyone for your insight!

Thank you so much!

Thank you

Thank you Sam and Karin 😀

Thank you!

Thank you for putting on this event!

This was really helpful! Thank you so much!

This was fantastic thank you so much - wrote so many notes and will certainly take away a lot from this!

Many thanks Sam and Karin! super inspiring session!

Thank you, absolutely loved this!

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Thank you!

Thank you so much - some very useful information and advice

Thank you- very helpful.

Thank you so much - this was a very informative and inspiring event.

Thank you so much for a really inspiring and informative discussion! Looking forward to taking the next step in my CRS career :)

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Thank you. It was a really inspiring and useful hour.

Great session - thank you - really informative

so much of what you said resonates with the worries of mid career professionals - thank you

Thank you all!

Thank you so much, really helpful

So sorry I could only join late, but even the end was great!