There are good livings to be had in a clean economy

Michelle Angkasa outside of the Environment 3 building at the University of Waterloo. Photo credit Michelle Angkasa.
As the Research and Campus Strategy Co-Lead at re•generation, 23-year-old Michelle Angkasa from Mississauga, Ontario shows business students it is possible to align their desire to use their business skills to contribute to a climate-safe future with making a decent living.
Tell us about re•generation.
Today’s business students are often idealistic and want to make the world better. However, once they step foot on campus, they face enormous pressure to compete for prestigious jobs in fossil fuel companies, as well as the banks, law, accounting, big data, and consulting firms that enable them. Too many start careers helping these companies maximize profits at the expense of both the common good and their own health and wellbeing. These corporations have a massive presence on campuses and it is hard to see past their propaganda to understand that they rely on an industry that is dying and endangering our lives. Our organization's mission is to present students with pathways to alternative careers that reflect their values.
We work with existing sustainability-focused business student clubs to cohost events on campus. We bring in speakers to talk about their careers in sustainable food production, the circular economy, green infrastructure, sustainable mobility, clean energy, impact investing, and ecosystem restoration. We provide information and offer networking, mentoring, and support of various kinds.
We also debunk some of the myths about the glamour of working in the fossil fuel economy. We point out that work-life balance, job satisfaction and respect for their values are much more present in the clean economy. Business students are seldom taught about the lack of job security inherent in the boom-bust cycles of fossil fuel influenced economies. They may not know the industry has no viable business case without massive public subsidies or realize how much the public supports transitioning off fossil fuels. Most do not appreciate the degree to which the industry has been lying to all of us for so long. We have lots of whistleblowers who talk about why they made the switch. Their stories are powerful.
re•generation also spearheaded a national student-led, and civil society and business leadership-supported initiative to change the culture of business schools to integrate sustainability and climate awareness, culminating in our Rewriting Business Education report.
To date, we have reached over 20,500 students, worked with 1500 employers, and partnered with over 400 student organisations.

How did you get involved?
I have always been interested in protecting the environment, but it was only once I got to university that I understood this was necessarily a collective endeavour. My participation in the 2019 student strikes led to other forms of organizing like divestment. I have experienced family expectations to “get a real job”. It was hard to find a way to use my labour to work for, rather than against, the kind of world I want, so when this opening came up I jumped at it.
What makes your work hard?
We are only 12 staff at re•generation and we are up against the most successful public relations campaigners in the world. It is frustrating to see the top firms and big banks remain the favoured choices for so many students who are unaware there are other options. I talk to hundreds of students and everyone thinks it is unfair that they cannot find a way to align their careers with their values. But seeing the spark of understanding in the eyes of those who attend our events inspires me. They can make informed choices and become the vanguard for a countercultural movement.
Do you think the way you were raised affected where you are now?
I am an Asian immigrant and while my family are not environmentally conscious in the Western sense, we were taught to take responsibility for everything we use and to never waste anything. While my parents may not entirely understand my work, I am grateful they support me.
What keeps you awake at night?
One of the most powerful reasons for working in the clean economy of tomorrow is the promise of a better work-life balance today. When we neglect to link the material realities of people’s lives to the changes we want, we contribute to political polarization.
What gives you hope?
I draw inspiration from Indigenous land defenders and their allies in places like British Columbia. I reflect that students are always at the forefront of significant change and every day I see more stepping forward.

What would you like to say to other young people?
Your job is already a climate job. The hours you spend working either makes things better or worse. Your decision as to where you work validates your employer. This is power. Employees have influence. Microsoft employees persuaded their company to set climate targets. Start the conversation. Make people uncomfortable.
What about older readers?
Young people are vulnerable at the start of their careers. Your advice and approval matter. Remind them job security is often more illusory than it is made to sound. Life is for living. It has been crucial to have older people supporting youth to make these choices.
Michelle Angkasa works at re*generation. She lives in Mississauga, Ontario.
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Comments
We need more articles featuring young people trying to make their life work serve life......instead of the polluting climate accelerating industries of the past. We need more public support for clean green jobs........and the training that would help young people live their understanding of what is needed to prevent accelerating global heating around the world.
We need all of us to step up, speak up, act up.........building a clean future would give many of our children real purpose......let's find ways to support the them in their endeavors.