“How important is sustainability for your employees?” With this opening question, my students from the course Business Ethics and Sustainability entered the career fair at Albstadt-Sigmaringen University on November 6.
Prepared with an interview guide and well-researched information on the sustainability strategies of regional companies, they sought dialogue. Critical, curious, and well-informed.
They asked questions that go straight to the heart of the matter:
✳️“Is there a link between sustainability systems and incentive systems?” Because transparency without consequences remains mere cosmetics.
✳️“How do you take Scope 3 into account in your sustainability goals?” A difficult but essential prerequisite for effective management and risk control.
One student remarked appreciatively afterwards: “The companies were well prepared, and even the HR staff were knowledgeable.”
Whether at Geberit, Groz-Beckert, Bizerba, or Holcim: the teams at the booths had answers ready. The students experienced that companies are facing challenges but also recognizing opportunities.
How satisfied they were with the answers, and how deep the conversations went, we will now discuss in detail. Feedback to the companies has been promised.
Looking ahead to next year, further dialogue partners are already in sight: initial talks with Gühring have begun. Because sustainability is not an academic buzzword, but a field in which young people seek orientation and companies are called upon to provide answers.
➡️ In the end, the central question remains: Will sustainability become a true driver of change or remain a pleasant-sounding label?
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I am Bernd Scharbert, and I support executives and managers not only on the topic of sustainability, but also with methods of creating lasting impact and work practices that strongly appeal to the younger generation. If these topics resonate with you, let’s start a conversation.
