The British Council UK-funded project, “The Student Aspirations Gap, Gender Equality, and Reality in Sustainability Careers,” identified a persistent challenge facing young women interested in sustainability and climate-related careers. While interest in these fields is strong, many students lack exposure to professionals, reliable information about career pathways, and the confidence needed to pursue opportunities in the sector. In response, the project introduced a multi-country mentorship scheme to bridge this gap through direct, discussion-driven engagement between students and experienced sustainability practitioners. The mentorship initiative sought not only to strengthen students’ aspirations but also to advance gender equality in green sectors, where women remain underrepresented in both technical and leadership roles.
Through guided conversations with professionals working in ESG, sustainability leadership, climate policy, environmental governance, green finance, agriculture, conservation, research, and development, students were able to explore what sustainability careers look like in practice. Feedback collected after the sessions confirms that participation significantly enhanced students’ understanding of the sustainability sector, its interdisciplinary nature, and the diverse career pathways available within it.
Programme Structure and Delivery
The mentorship programme was delivered virtually from September to November 2025, enabling participation across the African, European, UK, and Asia-Pacific time zones. Each mentor hosted a one-off 1.5-hour session, with small groups of two to seven students to ensure meaningful engagement and open discussion. Sessions were shaped primarily by student questions, allowing mentees to guide conversations based on their interests, uncertainties, and career ambitions. Mentees were carefully matched with mentors based on career interests, academic backgrounds, and time zone compatibility, ensuring relevance and accessibility.
Who Participated and What They Brought
The mentorship scheme generated strong global interest, with 159 students registering from over twelve countries. Confirmed participation was recorded for 61 mentees representing 14 countries, including Ghana, Botswana, South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, India, China, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Indonesia, and Pakistan. These students came from diverse disciplinary backgrounds and institutions, contributing to rich cross-cultural and interdisciplinary dialogue.
The programme was delivered by 14 mentors from across the globe, each bringing professional expertise and lived experience in sustainability-related fields. Their diverse backgrounds in ESG, agriculture, governance, research, community development, and sustainability leadership enriched the mentorship experience and exposed students to a wide range of professional pathways.
Learning Through Dialogue and Experience Sharing
The mentorship sessions provided students with a rare opportunity to engage directly with sustainability professionals and learn through authentic dialogue. Mentors shared personal career journeys, reflected on challenges and successes, and discussed emerging green skills and opportunities within the sustainability sector. Students gained insight into how sustainability is practiced across different national and institutional contexts, while reflective activities encouraged them to identify concrete next steps in their academic and professional development. Peer interaction across countries further strengthened the experience, helping students realise that their aspirations and challenges are shared across global contexts.
Emerging Impact and Programme Outputs
Initial feedback indicates a meaningful impact on student confidence and career clarity. Students reported a stronger understanding of sustainability career pathways and greater confidence in pursuing opportunities within the sector. Mentors consistently described mentees as engaged, reflective, and eager to learn. One mentee reflected that hearing directly from professionals made sustainability careers feel tangible and achievable, while mentors noted that the small-group format created space for honest and in-depth conversation. The project team observed that even a single well-facilitated conversation can significantly shift a student’s confidence and understanding of sustainability careers.
Towards Greater Gender Equality in Sustainability
The mentorship scheme’s broader impact lies in its contribution to reducing gender disparities in sustainability and climate-related fields. By providing access to global role models, strengthening career knowledge, and fostering confidence, the programme empowered young women to envision themselves as future leaders in the green economy. As part of a British Council–funded initiative, the mentorship scheme supports national and international efforts to advance gender-equitable participation in climate action, sustainability leadership, and emerging green sectors.
“Before joining, I primarily saw sustainability as a broad global issue, something addressed mainly by environmental scientists or policy experts. However, through the mentorship sessions, I’ve come to understand that sustainability is deeply interdisciplinary and that every profession, including business, management, and entrepreneurship, has the potential to drive meaningful change.”
— Mentee