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Cornell China Center Kāng nài ěr zhōngguó zhōngxīn

Alumni Share Sustainability Career Advice    

March 9, 2023

by Nina Chaopricha, Ithaca Campus Manager, Cornell China Center

An alumni panel for students focused on career opportunities related to sustainability. Diverse Paths in Sustainability, hosted by the Cornell China Center, featured three recent Cornell alumni pursuing career paths to construct a more sustainable future for the world. 

The panelists—young Chinese alumni who have built sustainability-related careers in the U.S.—discussed using their international experiences and multicultural strengths to empower their sustainability careers. They shared what inspired them to pursue a career in the field of sustainability and how their time at Cornell prepared them to build a career in sustainability.

"When it comes to working on sustainability, it's important to think about the scope of the project you want to work on--whether international, focused on the developing world or in the U.S. The scope will influence the impact you can make," shared Kevin Zongzhe Li, ESS ’20.

They collectively recommended that students interested in a career in sustainability build skills in business, management, sustainability science, advanced statistics, econometrics, policy analysis, communications, and analyzing the nuances of research findings.

The virtual career panel was organized by Aurora YingYun Zhang ’23 with the Cornell China Center.

Alumni Tips

  • “It is important to understand how to match your skillset with what's required by a job—and to consider how to create impact in ways that align with your personality and stakeholders.” -Kevin Zongzhe Li ESS ’20, MPP at Harvard Kennedy School, Co-founder of US-China Climate Forum, formerly with Deloitte Climate & Sustainability and with the United Nations in China
  • "Learn critical thinking and data analysis--these skills are a must. Being able to think critically in the sustainability space will allow you to develop your own opinions." - Carolyn Jiexin Wang ESS ’21, Energy Transition Consultant @ McKinsey & Company, MPA from Columbia University
  • "Take interdisciplinary courses and talk to people from different industries." - Chun Xu, MRP ’22, Cornell Women Leaders in Sustainability Fellow '21, Planning Consultant at WSP USA
Speakers at a recent Cornell China Center career panel on "Diverse Paths in Sustainability" included moderator Aurora YingYun Zhang ’23; alumni panelists Kevin Zongzhe Li ’20, Carolyn Jiexin Wang ’21 and Chun Xu ’22; and Cornell China Center Director Ying Hua. Speakers at a recent Cornell China Center career panel on "Diverse Paths in Sustainability" included moderator Aurora YingYun Zhang ’23; alumni panelists Kevin Zongzhe Li ’20, Carolyn Jiexin Wang ’21 and Chun Xu ’22; and Cornell China Center Director Ying Hua.