As I prepare for a new chapter in my career journey, it’s time to reflect on the valuable experiences, lessons learned, and personal growth that have defined my time at Grain Sustainability.
In September 2022, I embarked on a career path as a junior sustainability consultant at Grain. Keen to translate my passions into meaningful work, I joined the team with enthusiasm and a commitment to making a difference. My background studying Geography and Spanish at the University of Leeds provided a solid foundation for this role. Having volunteered with sustainability-focused organisations both in the UK and abroad, I saw this opportunity as the perfect moment to further develop my skills in a professional setting. I have learnt a great deal throughout my time here, and on reflection it now surprises me that at one point I had no idea what a materiality assessment or scope 3 emissions were!
I was instantly overwhelmed by the friendliness, positivity, and progressive nature of the team at Grain Sustainability, who are truly passionate about what they do, exemplified by their B Corp certification and 1% for the Planet commitments.
I worked alongside the senior consultants, helping clients in all aspects of the business, from materiality assessments to carbon footprinting. I enjoyed working with clients in a wide range of sectors including pharmaceuticals, law, and technology, and assessing the unique sustainability-related challenges and solutions within each of these fields. I also felt very passionate about working with our charity clients, helping them to minimise their environmental impact, all while doing incredibly meaningful work. I have gained a wealth of knowledge and skills thanks to this role, including the sometimes-challenging jobs of how to gather and input data into carbon accounting software, supporting B Corp applications, and creating comprehensive sustainability strategies.
Some highlights include co-developing and delivering a Carbon Literacy Masterclass for Professional Services course with my colleague Laura, and monthly co-working days in London with the whole Grain team. In addition, I was lucky to attend several inspirational events including the 1% for the Planet Sessions: London and the 2024 Better Business Summit which gathered together many like-minded and passionate sustainability advocates.
As I say farewell to Grain Sustainability, I carry with me a sense of gratitude for the experiences, relationships, and memories made during my time here. I am thankful for the support of my colleagues and the continuous drive towards sustainability and positive change that is so unique to Grain. I will miss working alongside the core team: Madelyn, Christoph, Mark, Amber, Mary, Laura and Rosie!
