How might we provide students with the resources, education, and engagement to build a career in sustainability?
ROLE
User Research, UX design, Graphic design, UI design
TIME FRAME
Spring 2024 (Capstone)
SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT
Victoria Charles, Full-Time Faculty Professor at Santa Monica College
Design Challenge
Designing a roadmap guide to sustainable business careers, I promoted sustainable courses and certificates to SMC students and early professionals. The guide includes course highlights, relevant industries for jobs and internships, and the importance of engaging with SMC counselors. The guide also encourages participation in sustainable initiatives for networking and support. This project was presented to industry professionals in virtual and physical exhibitions, sponsored by Recharge, and supported by Victoria Charles, a full-time business professor at Santa Monica College.
Problem
With the lack of promotion of sustainable business courses and certifications at SMC, many students are unaware of the benefits of sustainability education and how it can propel their careers to pursue an impactful career. Information on the SMC website includes an abundance of information on sustainability and the initiatives being promoted on SMC’s platform. What if we highlighted sustainable business education by promoting these courses in a comprehensive guide to propel students and early professionals' careers into business sustainability?
Insights
Through surveys and feedback from students and professionals, it became clear that there is a strong interest in incorporating sustainability into their careers. Key insights revealed the importance of having clear and accessible information on sustainability courses and how they benefit professional careers in business. Participants emphasized the need for direct links and interactive elements to learn more about business sustainability across different platforms, such as sections of the SMC website, job boards, and sustainable events. Additionally, there was a strong demand for access to networking opportunities and career pathways related to sustainability.
Solution
The solution is a comprehensive guide "A Roadmap to Sustainable Business Careers at SMC." This guide provides detailed information on educational resources, breaking down course highlights and business certifications offered at SMC. It also explores various sustainable industries and career paths, preparing professionals to enter these fields. Additionally, the guide includes tailored content from sustainable experts, offering students the opportunity to learn about and inquire about sustainability education at SMC. For visibility and engagement, the guide will be promoted through collaboration with SMC’s social media team and QR code signage on campus. Finally, it offers practical tools like goal setting templates and a contact page, enabling students to reach out to counselors and industry professionals for advice.
Research + Interviews
Stakeholder Interviews
To learn more about business careers in sustainability, I spoke with Victoria Charles, a full-time business professor at SMC. I decided to pivot my project on addressing the promotional gap between these certifications and student enrollment. The benefits of sustainable courses and certifications are significant and can open doors to career opportunities for early professionals.
Victoria recommended a list of sustainable business courses and the sustainable certificate. I aimed to promote these courses and certificates in a compelling way and drafted sections of a handbook featuring the benefits of these resources.
Sustainability Flier
Drafted a quick flier to gather feedback about sustainability promotion. This feedback will helps ensure that the most
important information and materials are effectively marketed.
Field Observation
Insights
01 | There are classes, courses, and job opportunities in sustainability available at SMC, covering fields from environmental science to business, yet they are underutilized due to poor promotion.
02 | Piles of untouched fliers at SMC locations ; current promotional strategies for sustainability courses and opportunities may not be engaging students.
03 | Other universities, like CSUN, successfully promote their sustainability programs through initiatives like info sessions, suggesting that similar approaches could be beneficial for SMC.
Survey
How do you think sustainability courses could benefit your academic and career goals?
Insights
01 | Sustainability is a significant area of interest for students across diverse majors at the college.
02 | Students believe that sustainability positively influences their academic and professional goals.
03 | Career opportunities and hands-on learning experiences are top priorities for students when it comes to learning about sustainability.
On reddit, a new professional expressed interest in transitioning into a sustainable career. While many suggested great certifications, I saw an opportunity to provide students with contacts to learn more about SMC courses and certifications from counselors.
Storyboard
Based on user research, I created Cameron, a fictional character looking to transition into a new industry. He goes through various obstacles and pain points to discover a roadmap guide to sustainable careers in business.
Wireframes
Through the first iterations of my prototype, I wanted to create goal-setting tools for students to find their sustainable careers. I also explored what content and images would fit into the sections promoting certifications and courses. Adding links as buttons would inspire interactivity and encourage users to learn more.
A roadmap guide to buisness careers in sustainability: Learn, Explore, Engage !
Learn
Course Highlights and Benefits of Sustainability Education
Users can click to learn more, directing them to the SMC website for a detailed description of the certification. This section provides concise information and highlights the potential benefits of enrollment.
Schedule Counseling Button
Located at the bottom right, this button takes users to the "Need Guidance" section. Various counselors are available to discuss sustainable careers and courses, providing students with career and enrollment resources.
Explore
Industries for Sustainable Careers
Students can explore sustainable career opportunities in industries such as architecture, fashion, and finance. Users can view various internships and careers within these industries.
Clicking on careers directs students to the company sustainable job board for sustainable industries.
Engage
Connecting with Professionals
This section includes resources for connecting with professionals on LinkedIn and learning more about sustainable initiatives and events both within and outside of SMC.
Highlighting UCLA sustainability events offers students networking opportunities and insights into the in-demand industry of business sustainability.
Promotional Materials
Social Media
Promoting the guide on social media allows it to reach a wide audience and be easily shared. The certifications and sustainable initiatives included in the guide can be highlighted on SMC business social media, promoting the resources and contacts provided.
QR Signage Posters
Signage will be promoted at the SMC Sustainability Center, Library, and Student Services to raise awareness about the guide's resources. This signage will highlight the Sustainability in Business certification and courses provided at SMC.
Reflection
Although this is a concept, I see the guide as a way of presenting a new and exciting path to first-year students and early professionals. No matter where they are in their student career journey, it represents SMC as a supportive college that will help them achieve their personal goals. This guide can apply to many other programs offered at the college, and through the resources and guidance provided, it can encourage students to explore pathways and push them into a career that is very meaningful. There are many ways to promote sustainable business careers at SMC.
Presenting my exhibitions allowed for discussions on improving the guide and sharing experiences with sustainability education !