It was really rewarding to take what I was learning in class and use it to make significant lifestyle changes.

Sustainability programs can be a great way to develop your career in the field of sustainability. According to a Harvard Business Review article, there is no unique path when it comes to sustainability. However, there are a few ways to get started. First, know that this field is not going anywhere. Businesses are reacting to consumer demands by creating new roles focused on developing ESG-friendly practices and solutions in every function. The article suggests that you educate yourself on the three pillars of sustainability: environmental, social, and economic. The United Nations defines sustainability as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” Many international and domestic companies are rated and given an ESG (environmental, social, governance) score by third-party providers that measure their performance around each pillar. According to McKinsey, there have been more than 2,000 academic studies, and roughly 70% of them find a positive relationship between ESG scores and financial returns. Further, in 2015, the UN established 17 Sustainable Development Goals as part of its 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Businesses need to do more if they wish to meet these goals in the next few years.

It was really rewarding to take what I was learning in class and use it to make significant lifestyle changes. I would encourage any McMaster student who has an interest in sustainability from a health, economic, societal, or environmental perspective to enroll in a sustainability course!

I am getting great benefits, personally as well as career growth.

The MCE program on sustainability studies has introduced me to a different phase of continuous learning of self-development especially in a world dominated by a centric mindset of over-consumption.

What is sustainability?

The MCE program on sustainability studies has introduced me to a different phase of continuous learning of self-development especially in a world dominated by a centric mindset of over-consumption.

The importance of sustainability is structured on understanding the dangers of how anthropocentrism and consumerism is taking over the world and combating this.

This program was well drafted and taught, and has enabled me become more aware of my environment and better ways of not only protecting it, but creating a better society using different methodologies based on a circular economy.

Sustainability is not a curve process but a journey which we all must embrace.

This microcredential was very informative, interesting and engaging. The instructors were well knowledgeable of the subject matter.

I encourage everyone to take this program.

It is important to understand the interconnectedness of these and other issues so that the implications of our everyday household and business decisions are understood in the right context.

Sustainability seems to be a buzz word these days. I hear it mentioned on the news, in advertisements, in general conversations, and in other unexpected facets of life. I would argue that the concept of Sustainability is vital in today’s world and to our future happiness. As a Global community we are dealing with big social and environmental issues. It is important to understand the interconnectedness of these and other issues so that the implications of our everyday household and business decisions are understood in the right context. What we do and don’t do matters.

Enrolling in the McMaster Continuing Education Sustainability program has been a wonderful way to develop an understanding of the practices of Sustainability, and what we can do to support real change. I encourage everyone to look into this program and to join the conversations being held all around you. Even if you don’t decide to take this program, look into the UN Sustainable Development Goals to start understanding the interconnectedness of things and how we as individuals and businesses can make a difference.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas in a future class!

I encourage everyone to check the new Sustainability courses at McMaster Continuing Education! Let's become sustainability champions and make a better world for the present and future generations.

I really enjoy this new Sustainability program at McMaster Continuing Education. I think it provides a solid foundation with relevant information and activities to expand my sustainability journey as I gradually integrate all the lessons learned at a personal and professional level.

The teachers are great and I really value the opportunity to interact and learn from other students’ experiences and discussions. The feedback provided by both teachers and students is always interesting to take into consideration as I am able to learn a lot from different perspectives and points of view within the sustainability field.

At a professional level, I have prior experience as a sustainability assistant, but now after acquiring further knowledge in the field, I feel more prepared to continue my sustainability journey both at a national and international level. I love that within the program we are able to learn much more about the UN SDGs, as I really feel this provides a solid direction for individuals and organizations towards achieving a better and sustainable world. As a personal experience, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, inspired by the UN SDG 3 & 4, I developed a virtual educational project to share the importance of psychology and mental health online, reaching over 50 000 people (in Latin America), developing a network of over 150 international professionals in support of this project with hundreds of positive feedback from different countries.

I believe that the best contribution we can make towards sustainability is to promote related education about it to all members of society. Therefore, I am also very grateful that I got the opportunity to participate in the promotion of several sustainability virtual workshops organized by Canadian non for profit organizations reaching hundreds of people in British Columbia (Vancouver) in 2021.

Learning never ends! I encourage everyone to check the new Sustainability courses at McMaster Continuing Education! Let’s become sustainability champions and make a better world for the present and future generations.

Sustainability is something that belongs to everyone. We all live on this Earth and we need to preserve it. The best way of learning how to do that is through sustainability courses.

Today, sustainability is not an option; it is a mindset that everyone should have when making any personal or business decision to further protect and preserve our way of living and our planet Earth.

Sustainability is about meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. “Today, sustainability is not an option; it is a mindset that everyone should have when making any personal or business decision to further protect and preserve our way of living and our planet earth,” says Somayeh Rokhgireh, sustainability management specialist and instructor with McMaster University’s Continuing Education Sustainability Program. Rokhgireh has been teaching students from Canada, and as far as Peru, Sudan, and Thailand to develop systems thinking and a holistic perspective on sustainable business principles and practices as well as personal consumption leading to better sustainable living.

Students build insight and gain the skills to make informed decisions considering their impact on the well-being of other people and the planet. They learn how sustainable practices can help businesses proactively manage risks and turn them into opportunities. Furthermore, to enhance brand reputation and profitability while preserving natural resources and supporting a good quality of life for all,” says Rokhgireh.