Sustainable development as a professional field is vast and diverse. Students have a wide range of career options, from becoming scientists and engineers to environmental lawyers and civil society practitioners. The editorial team sat down with Dr. Girija K Bharat to delve into the specifics. Read on. 
Please take us through your professional journey? How did you get started in the water sector?  
I have had a passion for working towards the environment since childhood. However, my journey in the water sector began in 1992, when I was working as a Scientist with the Council for Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR). That was the year when the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was established and the discussions on environmental issues were in preliminary stages. I chose to work on water pollution for my Ph.D. topic and when I did my Post-Doctoral Fellowship, I worked on water pollution in the Potomac river in the United States. The journey in the water and environment sector continues and so does the passion.
What are some perks and challenges of working in your field?
Working in the field of water and environment is very satisfying as the work translates into real impact on ground. It entails a lot of working outdoors, which is always a learning experience. Recently, with a team of experts, I worked on developing the National Policy of India on Safe Reuse of Treated Wastewater, where the impact would be saving millions of litres of water which can be reused and help the country in taking small steps towards source sustainability. This motivates me to work every day, as it touches and betters many lives. Similarly, I have been associated with many Water and Sanitation projects, which makes a huge impact on the communities.
There are multiple job opportunities in the water and environment sector starting from national level to international levels. It is a very rewarding sector where one continues to learn throughout life.
Some challenges that had been coming up in the past when this sector was not as recognized, included communicating the importance of the work and generating acceptance amongst the relevant stakeholders. However, the sector is now gaining importance at a national level.   
What are some essential skills and academic training required to pursue a career in your professional arena?
Having a technical understanding of the sector through relevant courses sets the foundation for a career in the water sector. But there is no prerequisite for entering the sector. Students with Masters degree in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Economics, Civil Engineering, Geography, Chemical Engineering, Public Health, Microbiology, Social Sciences, Biotechnology etc. fit in well in the water, environment and sustainability sector job profile, provided they have interest and aptitude. Having a background in Environmental Engineering can specifically help if you want to get into the technology development or technical side of the work. Similarly, a development studies degree can initially help you in understanding the social side of the issue better using the relevant tools and techniques. There is no particular requirement of a specialised degree since the area is vast and needs a multi-dimensional approach to solve any real-life issue. The key essential skill would be a strong interest in the sector. I would call it a ‘something for everyone’ kind of work.
What is your message for the youth? Why should they opt for a sustainability-related career?
If sustainability related areas of work interest you, then there is no other work that will be as fulfilling as this sector. Careers in this field have become more prevalent nowadays than ever before. If you want to make a change in society, this is one of the very good opportunities. It is important to identify your inner calling. 
This is a fast-growing and evolving sector, which requires one to stay abreast with the current trends, issues, and technological evolution. Interventions that could make a world of difference five years back, may have become irrelevant today; hence, one needs to be very innovative and forward-thinking. If this is something that aligns with your interest and passion, definitely give it a shot through aligning your academics, taking up some of the online courses, doing internships in this area. The jobs are intellectually stimulating, financially remunerative, and one gets a sense of satisfaction to be contributing to the cause of sustainability.
What are some emerging careers in sustainability that students should look out for?
Private sector companies, non-government organisations (NGOs), state and central governments, multinational organisations, offer job opportunities at multiple levels. Organisations are investing time and resources to improve the efficiency, accessibility and availability of water. Throughout the value chain, multiple career opportunities are mushrooming for the students to work in. Anyone with an interest in the sector can find their fit. Water, environment, and sustainability being interdisciplinary sectors, students of different educational backgrounds can find an avenue.
This interview originally appeared in the ‘Career Insights’ section of The Plus magazine (Sustainability edition).
About the contributor:
Dr Girija K Bharat is the Founder Director of Mu Gamma Consultants Pvt. Ltd. in Gurgaon. A Ph.D. in Chemistry, she is an alumnus of IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, Utkal University (Bhubaneswar), BITS (Pilani), and George Mason University (USA). 
She has worked with many institutes of repute like the Council of Scientific Industrial Research (Government of India), TERI, USAID, and the World Bank. She has actively contributed to national and international publications, including the Global Sustainable Development Report (2015 and 16), and is currently drafting the National Policy of India on Safe Reuse of Wastewater.
Her work has been recognized with several awards including the Global Environment Award 2020, Aqua Excellence Award 2020, Exceptional Women of Excellence Award of Women Economic Forum 2019, Inspiring Woman Achiever of the year 2019 – Environment Sector by ASSOCHAM, and many others.