Career prospects

There is a wide range of possible careers for graduates of the degree programme in Sustainability Economics and Management. They can be found in companies that are increasingly addressing the issue of sustainability (corporate social responsibility), in consulting (corporate consulting, political consulting) and certification as well as in the fields of politics, administration and research. For particularly successful graduates, the Master's degree also opens up the opportunity to enter the higher civil service and take up a doctorate.

Specific job titles may vary depending on the industry and company. However, graduates often find themselves in the following roles:

• Sustainability Manager / Expert in Sustainable Corporate Development
  They develop strategies that help companies become more economically successful while also becoming more sustainable, for example in the areas of climate protection, supply chains, or resource management.
• Sustainability and Transformation Consultant
  They support companies, organizations, or public institutions in implementing sustainable solutions and designing transformation processes in a way that makes economic sense.
• Sustainability and Economic Impact Analyst (e.g., ESG)
  You evaluate data and trends, analyze risks and opportunities, and support well-informed economic decisions in the context of sustainability.
• Project Manager (e.g., for sustainable transformation)
  You plan and manage projects, such as those aimed at introducing sustainable processes, new business models, or innovative technologies.
• Policy or Administrative Officer (e.g., environmental or economic policy)
  You work on the development and implementation of regulatory measures that promote sustainable business practices and consumption.
• Research Employee / Researcher
  You will conduct research on economic and social transformation processes and develop new approaches to sustainable development.

• Companies (manufacturing, retail, services)
  —for example, in the areas of strategy, management accounting, finance, sustainability management, supply chain management, or transformation
• Business and policy consulting
  e.g., in the development and implementation of sustainable and economically viable strategies as well as regulatory measures
• Public administration and politics
  e.g., in ministries, government agencies, or international organizations in the fields of economic, environmental, or climate policy
• Certification and testing bodies
  e.g., in the areas of standards, audits, and sustainability assessments
• Research and academia
  e.g., on issues related to the transformation of the economy and society

This program equips you with key skills for challenging roles in the field of sustainable business:

• Economic analysis skills: Data-driven and methodological analysis of government, market, and corporate data.
• Strategic Planning: Designing and supporting change and transformation processes within organizations.
• Interdisciplinary thinking: The ability to quickly grasp complex intersections between economics, law, technology, and practice.
• Conflict resolution skills: Managing conflicting objectives and developing viable solutions.

This combination enables you to take on responsibility in various contexts and actively contribute to the sustainable development of the economy and society. Conflicts of interest are often at the center of these efforts—for example, between economic efficiency, environmental impacts, and social requirements. This is precisely where you can apply your expertise to bring together different perspectives and develop viable solutions.

“Specific job titles vary widely—what matters is not so much the title as the ability to integrate interdisciplinary perspectives.”