The CFA Institute's ESG certificate is currently the only ESG certificate with widespread global recognition. Career paths include large enterprises, consulting firms, Big Four firms, and financial institutions. Alumni have summarized several practical roles for the ESG certificate, so let's explore them together!
To be honest, I cannot recklessly advise you on learning experiences, but I can share my preparation plan that helped me succeed. This will help you avoid wasting a month and provide you with internal course materials. Over 2,435 people have already received these free resources, including a new ESG introductory course and preparation materials. Click the link below to claim them for free.
- ESG Information Disclosure Consulting
Demand Companies: PwC, EY, Deloitte, KPMG, SGS, SynTao, BSR, and dozens of emerging small and medium-sized ESG consulting firms.
Demand Roles: ESG Analyst, ESG Consultant, Sustainability Advisor
Career Path: ESG Consultant → Senior ESG Consultant → ESG Project Manager → Head of Corporate ESG Disclosure Department → Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) → Corporate Independent Director
Education Requirements: Finance, Economics, Environmental Economics preferred; outstanding ability and experience matching can relax requirements to liberal arts majors with a bachelor's degree or higher.
Professional Skills: Familiarity with GRI, SDGs, SASB, CASS-ESG disclosure frameworks and Hong Kong Stock Exchange ESG disclosure guidelines; knowledge of national ESG-related policies; excellent oral and written communication skills in Chinese and English; outstanding ESG professional ethics; familiarity with party discipline and history development for state-owned enterprises (top domestic consulting firms).
Salary Range: 12,000 - 30,000 RMB/month
- Corporate Strategy Management Consulting
Demand Companies: Bain, Boston Consulting Group, McKinsey, PwC, EY, Deloitte, KPMG, and domestic management consulting firms.
Demand Roles: Management Consultant, ESG Strategy Consultant
Career Path: Management Consultant → Senior Management Consultant → Consulting Firm Partner → Corporate Senior Management → Corporate Independent Director
Education Requirements: Master's degree from a prestigious university in Finance, Economics, or Environmental Economics.
Professional Skills: Familiarity with GRI, SDGs, CASS-ESG disclosure frameworks and Hong Kong Stock Exchange ESG disclosure indicators; understanding of corporate governance structures across industries; excellent oral and written communication skills in Chinese and English; experience working with client enterprises; outstanding ESG and financial professional ethics.
Salary Range: 15,000 - 60,000 RMB/month
- Insurance and Asset Management ESG Investing
Demand Companies: Asset management subsidiaries of major insurance companies like China Life, Ping An, Xinhua, and Taikang, as well as investment departments of over 100 small and medium-sized insurance companies.
Demand Roles: Insurance Asset Management Trader, Financial Product Investor, Asset Allocation, Investment Research
Career Path: Entry-level insurance asset management roles → Head of Insurance Asset Utilization Department → Chief Investment Officer (CIO)
Education Requirements: Master's degree in Finance or Resource and Environmental Economics.
Professional Skills: Outstanding investment analysis abilities; experience in equity investment; ability to analyze macroeconomics, financial markets, industries, and companies; continuous learning capability; familiarity with the UN Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI); understanding of the underlying ESG investment logic.
Salary Range: 20,000 - 100,000 RMB/month
