Green Wave

By: Nadia Hossain

Photo Courtesy of Treehugger

With recent economic challenges and the current administration’s stance towards climate change, “green jobs” or “green careers” have often been an overlooked aspect of this. However, the environmental field has multiple paths for career opportunities as older generations step down from previous careers they may have held. Gravitating towards a more environmentally conscious culture, allows for more green careers to prevail and expand as we look towards a more climate impacted future.

What exactly does a green career entail? A green job is any job that supports environmental and social responsibility through restorative, preservative, and efficient methods. However, that definition is expanding. Today's green workforce consists of not only careers in traditional green industries such as solar power and wind energy, but also construction, medicine, architecture, analytics and more. Green jobs include not only environmental scientists, solar panel engineers, but also organic landscapers, holistic health care providers, socially responsible investment advisors, and community organizers. The term green jobs is not limited to a scientist collecting soil data, but it could also be an accountant helping a company track its carbon footprint. No one thinks of a supply chain professional as someone on a front line of the climate crisis, but that's someone who is a lead in implementing sustainable sourcing or managing logistics.

Essential Skills

In addition to being versed in technical knowledge, core skills for green careers can be general and transferable. Here are some general competencies you can utilize:

1. Problem-Solving & Creativity: The ability to develop solutions to complex challenges, like determining how a company can use less energy or create less waste is crucial in green jobs. However, problem solving could also entail creativity with the need to think outside the box and come up with new ideas that haven't been tried before.

   
   

2. Project Management: Sustainability initiatives rarely happen overnight. The ability to plan, execute, and track progress on long-term projects,whether that's a campus recycling event or a company-wide energy reduction strategy is essential for furthering your professional career. Understanding how to manage timelines, budgets, and teams is invaluable in careers related to sustainability. 

   
   

3. Communication: Being able to write clear reports, give good presentations, and take complex ideas and explain them in simple ways is key. Many people still do not fully understand the processes of climate change so being able to communicate environmental issues to different people, from business leaders to community members is pivotal in your success as a green professional. 

4. Curiosity & Learning: Instilling capabilities like curiosity, adaptability, and a willingness to keep learning are important in anything that you may decide to pursue. New green technologies, regulations, and practices are always emerging, so staying updated through environmental news and continued education is extremely important as well.

Starting the Journey

The rise in environmental jobs means there are many opportunities outside of those that typically require specific four-year degrees.Whether you work in sales, hospitality, construction, education, healthcare, technology, or the arts, there are always ways to care for the Earth. You don't need to quit your job and go back to school for four years to start. 

Here is how you could take the next step in pursuing a green career:

1. Education and TrainingCollege degrees in sustainable agriculture or green business are valuable, but certifications and apprenticeships are especially prominent. Many skills can be attained through certification programs and on-the-job learning, and employers are increasingly moving away from degree requirements toward "skills-first hiring."

2. "Green" Your Current Path or Start SmallYou don't have to leave your current career or job. Whatever your skills are, there are things anyone can learn. Even starting a recycling program or an energy-saving club could be a step towards encouraging more environmental change. 

3. Network and VolunteerGet your foot in the door through networking. Use LinkedIn groups specific to green jobs or attend job fairs. Volunteering is another great way to gain experience with different sectors. Joining environmental clubs on campus and connecting with community members who work on environmental issues could also help enhance your network with regards to environmental careers.