Start Your Green Career Today

By Melinda Toussaint

Looking for a job can be tough and during this time in the economy it’s even tougher. That’s why you have to be prepared. If you want to see yourself in a green career you need to set yourself on the green career path now, especially if you are still in school. Here are five steps to get you out there in the green community.

1. Research green jobs:
Go online and find out what green jobs interest you and what you need to do to succeed in getting that job. Find out what courses are necessary to do well in and if your school offers them. If your university does not, it may offer occasional classes or lectures on green ideas or sciences. Also, you can check out surrounding schools to see if there are any special programs. Visit www.greenlivingideas.com to check out Green Collar Jobs.
2. Offer Help:
Look into professors on campus to see if any are conducting their own research in the marketing, engineering, or science fields. Their studies can provide the tools for new green ideas to spring from. Between teaching, research, and personal lives many professors may feel overwhelmed. Offer up your services to help in whatever they may need. Even if it’s just paperwork, it will be a great experience to shadow a professor, not to mention an excellent resume builder.
3. Volunteer:
Lend a helping hand to local or national charities- especially those that give back to the environment, non-profit organizations, and/or businesses that are eco-friendly. All of which will give you direct, hands-on experience that companies are looking for. (An excellent one is Habitat for Humanity)
4. Know the Industry:
Stay on top of the latest green ideas by staying tuned in to the world around you. Read the newspaper and visit websites such as www.greendaily.com or www.treehugger.com to get tips, news, and great green ideas for the season. To find out about upcoming green events go to: www.earthdaynetwork.org or www.care2.com. You can also give back by contributing to some of these sites or starting your own blog. Knowledge is power and will put you one step ahead in the fight for a green job.
5. Know your Carbon Footprint:
The best way to get on a green career path is to ensure you are on a green life path. Try to practice green habits, especially the 3 R’s (Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle) on a daily basis. Your experience in living green will help others and help you land the right green career. Visit www.earthlab.com/carbonprofile to calculate your carbon footprint with such factors as where you live, how your work, and how you travel. Then set a goal to lower your carbon footprint. The hard part will be actually achieving it. If you do, you will have a great success story to share with prospective green companies and their clients.

To find out more about green careers to see if one is right for you, visit the Environment Defense Fund www.edf.org/cagreenjobs.