At WORK180, we love sharing stories of out-of-the-ordinary career paths from those who’ve changed roles and industries and moved around the world.
One common thread we see shine through these journeys is that these significant changes often lead individuals to fulfill their values through their work further.
This is one thing that stood out when we spoke with Sarah Beattie-Smith. As Sustainability Strategy Manager for SSEN Transmission, an electricity transmission subsidiary for SSE plc, she describes herself as a big-hearted optimist and passionate advocate for doing right by people and the planet.
She admits that reaching this stage in her career wasn’t a straight shot. Her path has been a particularly squiggly one:
“I’m responsible for developing SSEN Transmission’s sustainability strategy in line with best practices and our changing context, as well as working with colleagues and stakeholders to achieve our sustainability goals. My pink-haired, grunge-rocker, leather-jacket-clad, high-school self would probably raise an eyebrow at the job I do today. But I reckon she’d be quietly impressed. If I had the chance to speak to her, I’d tell her to follow the squiggly path and keep up guitar and art, even once the pink hair dye fades.”
How did she build a successful career in sustainability? Well, it all started in art college…
From artist to advocate
Sarah is an artist by training, having gained her first degree in sculpture. To this day, she loves to make things whenever she can:
“I joined art college straight out of high school, knowing this was where I wanted to go since I was three. I loved my time there—especially learning to weld, cast, and wield a chainsaw in sculpture—but two terms as president of my students’ union took me in a new direction. One of campaigning, policy work, and communication.”
She spent the next decade building her career in the voluntary sector, working to address areas such as the poverty premium and fuel poverty.
“I gained a new role and loved working as part of Scotland’s largest independent advice network, where I led a team of consumer rights advocates. During this time, I gained exposure to SSE’s retail business and chaired their customer forum for Scotland. After many years in this role, I left to run for the Scottish Parliament—squiggly, right?”
While she only missed out on getting elected, the campaign and time away from work made her realize she wanted to focus her career on the intersection of people-centered and environmental topics. In a particularly epic hook turn on her winding career path, she moved to Australia to be with her partner, Carly.
“Here, I had the privilege of working for the leader of the Australian Greens during a federal election, advising him on multiculturalism, climate change, and energy. Post-election, I landed a role with a sustainability consultancy and realized I’d found a whole new world in which to create impact.”
When she and her partner returned to Scotland, she was determined to put everything she’d learned into practice – from consulting to policy, from creative pursuits to shaping research.
“SSE was already a place I knew I wanted to work, so when this role came up, I leaped at the chance to make a practical, positive difference.”
The pivot into clean energy and sustainability
By this point, Sarah had experience in energy and sustainability matters. She had also known and thought highly of SSE for a long time.
“Having worked with some brilliant folk in SSE’s retail business, I learned many of them had been with the business for decades, grown up together, and even seen their kids start working there. I thought that made it a pretty special workplace that made people feel at home and valued for so long. It was also clear that SSE takes its role as the UK’s clean energy champion seriously and is willing to be bold and take the lead on sustainability.”
Interested in a career with purpose? SSE is hiring!
Building support for SSE’s new sustainability strategy is one of the most significant achievements she’s most proud of.
“I contribute towards raising awareness and understanding of sustainability in the business. Hopefully, I’ve wedged the door open for folks from any background, job, and seniority to get more involved in delivering our new sustainability strategy.”
The people factor
For some people, they can pinpoint one clear moment that lets them know they are in the right place. For Sarah, it’s been a collection of moments across her career journey – and in particular, getting to work with her incredible team:
“There were many moments for me. I met my amazing teammates—all astonishingly clever and capable. I spoke for the first time with our Chief Sustainability Officer, who told me all about the amazing work the business is already doing on sustainability. She shared the path and the opportunities ahead and made me feel completely at home like I was in the right place at the right time.”
Although she loves the flexibility of working from home, her favorite days are when she’s surrounded by her brilliant colleagues.
“For me, those great days are when we use our creativity and collaboration to brainstorm new ideas and ways of working. It may involve some quiet time to digest research reports or news articles on a relevant topic, then analyze it and present findings and implications with my team or colleagues. It could be going out to lunch together and finishing the day having shared an achievement, something big we’ve tackled or have all worked hard for, that’s made a difference in our shared ambition.”
Getting to balance work with personal pursuits is the icing on the cake.
“I’m a people person and a big foodie, so I love cooking and eating delicious meals with my favorite people. They keep me grounded and connected to the things that matter in life. My partner and I live near the beach, so try to swim in the ocean as often as we can and enjoy nature with our golden retriever, Remy.”
The ever-squiggly path ahead
While Sarah’s pathway has weaved through art, politics, charities, and business, knowing her values and principles and sticking to them in her work has helped her see the common thread throughout her career:
“Knowing who you are, what matters to you, and what you are (and are not) willing to stand for in your work is the light shining on your career path. Keep this at the forefront of your mind, and it will illuminate your best way forward.”
