Skip to Main Content

My sustainability interests are in the social impacts of technology and information economies, as I hope to pursue a dual degree with Media, Information and Techno culture. I love learning about on going problems facing society and hope to one day change business practices into being more sustainable! Currently, I am trying to consume sustainably by purchasing long lasting clothing(rather than fast fashion)and limiting my service use from companies who employ intrusive data collection and usage methods. Some of my personal experiences include working in marketing, producing technical theatre, designing information systems, and assisting at the library. My other hobbies include reading, playing music, and skiing!

What is your personal definition of sustainability?

Sustainability is making decisions that contribute to creating equitable societies and a prosperous planet. As business leaders, it is essential to keep sustainability as a core factor in decision making because of the strong influence that organizations have on society. Sustainable choices lead to environmental benefits and when businesses positively affect others, they too will realize benefits. When businesses choose to enact real change, we can develop a world that is better for the environment, for each other, and for our economies.

What role do you see sustainability playing in your professional career?

My goal is to obtain a role where I can use sustainability principles to better the organization and society. Recently, I have been looking at careers in information systems management, an area where I believe there is a large opportunity for sustainable action. The new information economy has become central in society as data is monetized to deliver value to businesses/consumers but in doing so has created externalities which must be addressed. Some negative externalities of this include increased misinformation, environmental impacts of data centres, and privacy leak concerns. I picture myself working within a data-driven organization and leading projects aimed at enhancing sustainable data practices. I want to help businesses use data in a safe and non-exploitative way to ensure minimal social externalities while maintaining consumer and business value. Achieving this will balance ethics and data justice with business interests to build more equitable societies and economies.

What sustainability projects have you been engaged in?

While most of my experience in sustainability has been self-guided, I think what I have done will enable me to create positive change in the world. My sustainability experiences began when I was younger as I saw the importance of recycling and the environment. I participated in volunteer activities at school, such assorting recycling, and later engaged in climate change protests. More recently, I investigated the impacts of unsustainable practices through research papers for university classes. I was in the MIT program prior to Ivey where I learned about data ethics and the power of information. I used essays as an opportunity to look at(un)sustainable practices within businesses and the effect of those actions on how we act, think, and know. My knowledge from these papers will inform the sustainable actions I take as a business leader to try to create positive social and environmental change.

Carson Rust

Carson Rust

Connect with Ivey Business School