US SIF NextGen
What is US SIF "Next Gen"?
US SIF Next Gen is an initiative designed to support students and early-career professionals who are interested in learning about and building careers in sustainable investing and sustainable finance. The program aims to connect the next generation of professionals with the knowledge, networks, and opportunities needed to help shape the future of the investment industry.
Through US SIF NextGen, participants can:
Learn the fundamentals of sustainable investing, including ESG integration, values-based investing, and impact investing
Explore career pathways across the sustainable finance ecosystem, including asset management, financial planning, corporate sustainability, policy, and research
Connect with professionals and mentors in the US SIF network through events, programming, and industry engagement
Access educational resources and professional development opportunities designed to help students transition into careers in the field
Engage with the broader US SIF community and gain exposure to thought leadership shaping sustainable investing today
Build a pipeline of future leaders who will advance responsible investment practices and strengthen the sustainable finance ecosystem
US SIF NextGen reflects US SIF’s commitment to supporting the long-term growth of the sustainable investing field by empowering the next generation of professionals.
Welcome to the World of Sustainable Investing
The way we invest shapes the world around us. Every day, capital flows to companies, projects, and communities that influence everything from climate change and clean energy to housing, healthcare, labor practices, technology, and economic opportunity. Sustainable investing is the practice of considering these broader impacts—alongside traditional financial analysis—when making investment decisions.
At its core, sustainable investing recognizes that long-term financial performance is often connected to how companies manage environmental, social, and governance (ESG) risks and opportunities. It can include a wide range of approaches, such as integrating sustainability factors into investment research, investing in solutions that address social or environmental challenges, engaging with companies as shareholders, or aligning investments with personal values.
Why Does it Matter for the Next Generation?
Sustainable investing is more than a niche area of finance—it is increasingly becoming part of how investors, businesses, and institutions think about long-term value creation.
Today's students and early-career professionals will enter a financial system facing significant challenges and opportunities, including climate change, technological disruption, demographic shifts, resource constraints, and evolving stakeholder expectations. Understanding how these trends influence markets, businesses, and investment decisions will be an important skill regardless of whether you pursue a career in finance, sustainability, public policy, business, or entrepreneurship.
At the same time, younger investors are expected to inherit and help manage one of the largest wealth transfers in history. Developing financial literacy and understanding sustainable investing can help the next generation make informed decisions about how capital can support both financial goals and real-world outcomes.
Next Gen Podcast
Amplifying the voices of emerging leaders and early-career changemakers building the future of sustainable and impact finance.
Explore Sustainable Investment roles
Choosing a career path in sustainable investing starts with understanding your interests, strengths, and the type of work that energizes you. As you explore the various roles within the industry, consider whether you enjoy working with data and analysis or building relationships and working directly with people. Think about whether you're most interested in understanding financial markets, helping companies improve their performance, or driving broader systems change through policy and impact.
You should also consider whether you'd prefer to work within the financial industry itself or at the intersection of finance and society, where investment decisions connect with environmental and social outcomes. The good news is that there is no single path into sustainable investing, and many professionals move between different roles throughout their careers. If you're not sure where to begin, our Career Path Assessment will soon be available to help students discover which opportunities may be the best fit for them. To get started, consider taking coursework in finance, economics, business, or sustainability; seek out internships and hands-on experiences; build technical skills such as Excel, data analysis, and research; stay informed on industry trends and market developments; and connect with professional networks like US SIF NextGen to learn from others already working in the field.
Sustainable investing spans many roles across the financial services industry. Whether you’re interested in research, client work, data, or strategy, there are multiple pathways into the field.
Peter DeSimone Student Scholarship Program
The Peter DeSimone Scholarship honors the legacy of a passionate advocate for sustainable investing and expands access to education for the next generation of leaders. This scholarship provides financial support to students and emerging professionals seeking to deepen their understanding of ESG and impact investing. By reducing barriers to entry, it helps foster a more inclusive and informed financial industry committed to long-term, responsible outcomes.