Youths need to choose a career path they are ‘excited’ and ‘passionate’ about – Kate De Cesare

Eden Leisure Group Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) Kate De Cesare on Friday highlighted the need for young people to pick a career path that reflects their beliefs and that they enjoy waking up to every morning.

She was speaking in a quickfire interview for the company’s social media, during which she was asked various questions, ranging from her work in sustainability, all the way to the biggest challenges she encountered throughout her career.

One of the questions Ms De Cesare was asked was the advice she would give to youths that are only just delving into the world of business, to which she replied that it is essential for them to choose a path that aligns with their ideas.

“Work for a company that you believe in and that follows your ideas and ideals, and love what you do,” she remarked.

“There is nothing worse than a Sunday evening, dreading that Monday morning when you have to go to the office doing something you hate,” Ms De Cesare explained.

Ms De Cesare has worked as CSO at the entertainment and leisure company since September, having previously occupied the position of Chief Operations Officer (COO). In her role as CSO, she is responsible for Eden Leisure Group’s corporate sustainability, ensuring the company conducts business in a manner that creates sustainable, long-term shareholder, employee, consumer, and societal value through ESG strategies.

Commenting on what the most fulfilling aspect of her work in sustainability is, Ms De Cesare remarked that she feels most pleased when she looks at the results after the effort that was put in.

“Whether it is sifting through bins and making sure we’re disposing of rubbish properly, and actually seeing how it translates into the figures at the end of day, or when we measure all of our waste or energy use, and then we see that we’ve made savings,” she said.

She pointed out that sustainability is an area of “amazing potential”, as there is so much that can be done that would help the community, the environment, and also take the business further. “There are great opportunities for cost savings, and for doing business better,” Ms De Cesare added.

Turning back to her life away from the workplace, she was asked what the biggest challenge in her career was.

“Juggling motherhood, family, and a career,” she said.

Ms De Cesare noted that striking this balance is “tough”, yet now that her kids have grown up, it is less so.