Start Here – ESG Careers Explained

Find Your Place in the Future of Sustainability

The demand for skilled ESG professionals is growing fast—across finance, energy, government, education, agriculture, and beyond. But ESG isn’t one job. It’s a mindset, a mission, and a career field with diverse paths and roles.

Whether you’re new to sustainability or an experienced professional looking to upskill, IASE provides internationally recognised ESG certifications and training to help you build a purposeful and future-ready career.

African woman researching ESG scholarships and bursaries on her laptop

What is an ESG Career Path?

ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) careers focus on helping organisations align their strategies with sustainability, social impact, and ethical governance standards.

These roles exist across:

  • Corporates and SMEs

  • NGOs and government

  • Financial services and investment

  • Academia and consulting

You don’t need to be a sustainability officer to work in ESG. There are ESG-linked roles in:

  • Operations

  • Risk and compliance

  • Finance and investment

  • Human resources

  • Procurement

  • Legal and policy

“ESG is not a job title. It’s a way of thinking—embedded across modern organisations.”

ESG Bursary and sponsorship

How IASE Helps You Build Your ESG Career

IASE is the global professional body for ESG. Through its two certification tracks—ISB (business) and ISF (finance)—IASE offers a structured, standards-based path to becoming an ESG professional.

You can enter at three levels, based on your experience:

  • ADVISOR® – For entry-level or aspiring professionals

  • SPECIALIST® – For mid-career professionals

  • EXPERT® – For senior professionals or ESG strategists

IASE Africa provides access to:

  • Online ESG training aligned with each certification

  • Scholarships and financial support options

  • Employer sponsorship tools

  • Professional community, guidance and recognition

IASE Scolarship Program

Not Sure Where to Begin? Let’s Help You Decide.

Start with Our ESG Career Quiz

Take a 2-minute quiz to discover which IASE certification level fits your experience and goals.

Compare ESG Training vs Certification

Learn the difference between IASE’s board-certified qualifications and our endorsed training programs.

Read ESG Career Stories

Explore testimonials and real-world journeys from certified ESG professionals.

What’s Your First Step?

Whether you’re here to get certified, explore ESG career options, or access funding support, you’re in the right place.

IASE-sponsored ESG student studying sustainability online

Related Resources

African woman reviewing ESG scholarship application documents in a well-lit office