Preparing for a Green Future
Green careers, green jobs, and the green economy are terms that are widely used today, but have a wide range of definitions. It can run the full spectrum from emerging companies that are doing research and development on new products, such as bio-fuels to older companies that are becoming more aware of how their services and products affect the environment and changing their policies, materials and waste management to be less detrimental to the earth. A. Bronwyn Llewellyn, James P. Hendrix & K.C. Golden, authors of Green Jobs, a Guide to Eco-Friendly Employment (2008) defines green jobs as “those connected to eco-friendly products and services and associated with work that contributes to a sustainable economy and better environment.”
Steps to Being Prepared
- Write Your Résumé – This is a great first step no matter what field you hope to pursue. This document will evolve as you gain more skills and experience throughout your college years. Please take your time with this document, as it will make a first impression (good or bad) to employers who receive it. Stop by Career Services for assistance with making it look professional. Take advantage of the Résumé Critique where corporate recruiters assess your document and make suggestions for improvements.
- Develop Transferrable Skills – There are many basic skills that are needed in almost any job. Some examples would be good customer service, advanced computer knowledge, and great communication skills (both oral and written.)
- Gain Work Experience – Nothing is as good a teacher as experience. Get a job, do an internship, and volunteer. The more diverse your experience, the more valuable you become to a potential employer.
- Do Your Research – You will need to narrow down your interest area to something more specific than a “green career!” Check out websites, read articles & books, do informational interviews with companies/organizations where you think you might like to eventually work.
- Enhance Your Expertise – Select an appropriate major or use electives to take courses that will allow you to gain more knowledge about environmental issues.
- Network – Meet people who work in an area in which you are interested. You should take advantage of the career fairs that are held on campus to introduce yourself and get a representative’s business card for a future contact. Become involved in civic groups and professional associations. Do volunteer work. Remember, most job opportunities come from someone you know.
Helpful Links to Aid Your Research
- Traditional Companies Going Green
- Newsweek recently ranked the top 500 greenest big companies in America www.Newsweek.com/green
- Fortune 500’s “10 Green Giants” – Companies that have gone beyond what the law requires to operate in an environmentally responsible way money.cnn.com
- Nongovernmental Organizations (NGO’s) Concerned with the Environment
- Governmental Agencies that Help with Natural Resource Management
- Sites that Focus on Green Energy
- Aids for Finding Green Employment
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