HOPE PETRARO

“I view climate as a theme that really touches all industries and job functions. So if you want to break into climate, my advice is to specialize, first in 1) subject matter: spend a few weeks reading about news in climate and different spaces you can work in within it — energy, agriculture, sustainability, plastics & packaging, etc. Then, 2) find a suitable function for yourself: think critically about who you are. Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Where do you see yourself NOW? Do you like financial analysis? Do you like reading and writing? How risk-loving are you? Where do you think the most change in our world needs to be made? Does culture matter to you? Do you want a fast- or slow-paced job? After that, the next step is to learn what you need to learn to be a good fit for these roles: whether that’s collecting internship experience, doing courses in financial modeling or accounting, or listening to podcasts and reading the news. Then go do it!

P.S. Talk to people along the way: climate is a very collaborative space with lovely people, so you can always find someone who has the job you want and ask them for advice!”

Hope Petraro, May 2024