Sustainability studies in business: Carlos López’s story

4 min read

Do you need to make your profile more diverse? More specialized? If you didn’t know, sustainability studies have become central to modern business practices. And IE Business School has the ideal master’s program for you.

For Carlos López, the Master in Sustainability & Business Transformation offered the perfect advancement from his background in law and finance. Read on to hear his insights on his most recent endeavor: an internship at the leading sustainability consultancy, ERM.

Tell us about your previous professional background. What made you consider sustainability as a career?

“During my dual degree in business administration and law, I became interested in understanding the inner workings of companies, which led to an internship at Deloitte. It was there that I first heard about the creation of a department focused on sustainability. Then, after completing my master’s degree, I worked briefly in the international law firm Cuatrecasas, which is highly committed to ESG. I wasn’t yet fully aware that I could combine my technical skills and experience in law and finance with something much deeper—my love for life, people, nature and business.

“The Master in Sustainability & Business Transformation showed me that it was possible to build a professional career aligned with my values and to create a tangible impact on the world. The program allowed me to connect my legal-financial profile with these passions.”

What made this program in sustainability studies stand out as the right next step for you?

“With a demanding education behind me and a firm conviction to contribute my values to the world, I needed to put all my skills and effort into something that would motivate me daily. Discovering this program was like finding a place where everything fit—the values it conveys, the transformative and human approach, the diversity of profiles and the collective ambition to change organizations and society.”

Can you tell us more about your upcoming internship at ERM and the responsibilities you expect to take on?

“I have the opportunity to join the Corporate Sustainability & Climate Change team at ERM. This is one of the firm’s most strategic divisions. On this team, I’ll be helping clients address climate strategy, decarbonization and energy transition, climate risk analysis and ESG reporting. It’s an extraordinary platform to continue my education, learn from brilliant professionals and grow within the world of sustainability with impact.”

What elements of the program helped you stand out and secure this opportunity?

“Throughout the program, we’ve learned from brilliant professionals from different sectors and industries who share not only their technical knowledge, but also their passion. This contact allowed us to develop a holistic and strategic mindset. We learned regulatory frameworks, analysis methodologies, reporting systems and tools to design real solutions. This helped me confidently face demanding selection processes and, above all, it reaffirmed my vocation to contribute to sustainable transformation.”

Which specific experiences—inside or outside the classroom—most prepared you for your internship and your future?

“One of the program’s greatest strengths is the combination of technical knowledge with personal development. Learning wasn’t just in the classroom, but also in the moments shared with my classmates and in living with students from very different cultures and backgrounds. Also, the updated approach of the program trained us for highly demanding environments. Rigorous daily group work made us enter a dynamic where we gave the best for ourselves and our classmates. All this has ensured I am uniquely prepared to adapt to any professional challenge.”

How did IE Business School’s faculty, network and career services help you pivot from law and finance to environmental sustainability studies?

“IE Business School not only gave me knowledge, but also tools, confidence and community. I couldn’t be more grateful to enjoy and be supported by such an infrastructure. From the first day, I felt accompanied by professors and mentors who not only shared their professional experience, but also got really involved in our personal development. The network of contacts that IE Business School offers is simply incomparable.

“I’d also like to highlight the work of the IE Talent & Careers team. Their closeness, availability and commitment to students made the internship search process much more humane. I’m incredibly fortunate to have landed a spot at ERM. I look forward to where I’ll go next.”

What challenges did you face when transitioning to the sustainability sector, and how did the program help you overcome them?

“Moving from a more traditional legal and financial world to one as cross-cutting and ever-changing as sustainability was a challenge, but the program is designed exactly for that: to help diverse profiles build a common language and develop a comprehensive understanding of the sustainability landscape. The balance between theory and practice, combined with the wealth of experiences shared by my peers, allowed me to take that leap with confidence.”

What advice would you offer to somebody considering applying to the Master in Sustainability & Business Transformation?

“If you feel that inner calling to build something that goes beyond professional success, this is the place for you. Finding a job that fulfils you and makes you wake up with enthusiasm every morning is priceless—and this program will bring you closer to it. If you have doubts, allow yourself to explore them here. You won’t regret it.”