For students who wish for a more career-focused study in a specialised field, the IB Careers Programme is a great choice. It balances academic study with experiential, career-related learning. Students gain in-depth subject knowledge in their area of specialisation, gain hands-on project experience, and develop personal and professional skills that prepare them for the 21st-century working world.
At GESS, Business and Sustainability is the specialised pathway offered for the IB Careers Program. Given predictions that by 2030, there will be 24 million jobs in the green economy, this pathway provides students with a highly desirable skill set and expertise for the future job market.
There are three components to the IB Careers Programme:
Career-Related Studies
Diploma Programme Courses
IB Careers Program Core
Career-Related Studies
Students pursue career-related studies focusing on business and sustainability management at the Sustainability Management School Switzerland (SUMAS). SUMAS professors and tutors deliver the courses online. GESS students will study in a global classroom, connecting with peers from all around the world.
Examples of mandatory courses students will study:
Examples of specialist courses students can choose:
There will be opportunities to apply knowledge through a Sustainability Leadership Camp and an Integrative Project Experience.
Diploma Programme Courses
Students are required to study four diploma programme subjects at the standard level or higher. Mathematics and language are mandatory subject groups. Students can choose the other two subjects from any IB subject group based on their interests, abilities, and desired career pathways.
Available subject groups are the same as for IB Diploma. See the subject list in the section above.
Careers Programme Core
The core emphasises more experiential and reflection-based learning. The components are (a) Personal and Professional Skills, (b) Service Learning, (c) Reflective Project and (d) Language Development.
Students develop personal and professional skills they need to succeed in future careers and work contexts. They learn to design and implement research-based projects and communicate their discoveries in writing and presentation. Students improve their language abilities to become effectively bilingual or multilingual.
Pathways for Graduates
Fast-track into the Sustainability Management School Switzerland’s bachelor’s degree programme.
Enrol in other leading global universities. The IB Careers Program is accepted by over 300 universities worldwide.
Start internships, apprenticeships, and full-time career positions fully equipped with the skills necessary to succeed in the 21st-century workplace.
Career Prospects Available for Business and Sustainability Specialisation
Sustainability Consultant
Corporate Social Responsibility Manager
Sustainability Analyst
Sustainable Product Developer
Financial Advisor for Sustainability Projects