High School

Corporate climate strategists need strong research, writing, and communication skills to generate reports and share ideas and suggestions with clients. Be sure to take courses in English, writing, and speech. Course work in science, especially environmental science, as well as math and computers will also help provide a solid foundation for this type of work.

Postsecondary Training

Corporate climate strategists have diverse educational backgrounds, ranging from engineering, law, science, environmental science, operations, sourcing, and product management. Because the field is still evolving, be sure to find out if colleges and universities youre interested in attending offer programs in climate or environmental strategy. A bachelors degree is recommended as a solid foundation for this career. Course work in business, management, communications, environmental issues and policy, math, English, and computers is useful.

Those with advanced or dual degrees may find more opportunities for work. For example, some schools offer dual degrees in international business and international environmental policy, which integrate global trade, conflict resolution, languages, and developing economies into the course of study.

Certification or Licensing

There are no certification or licensing requirements for corporate climate strategists.

Because this field is still relatively new, experience is likely to be acquired while in school (through classwork and internships and other field experience), so be sure to find out if colleges and universities youre interested in attending offer programs in climate or environmental strategy. Studies in business, management, communications, environmental issues and policy, math, English, and computers is useful in this field.

Successful corporate climate strategists need to be up to date on environmental policy, climate strategy trends, and what competitors are doing to address climate change issues. A broad familiarity with developments in the scientific, policy, business, and technology realms is also helpful. Candidates pursuing this career also should have strong analytical and communication skills and the ability to work well with other people are also essential in this type of work.