For anyone who has considered how to have a career that offers a livable salary while it contributes to saving the environment, join the sustainability movement.
As the world becomes more and more conscious of the impact that we are having on the environment, educational institutions such as Stanford University, the University of California at Berkeley and Dominican University of California – all in the San Francisco Bay area -- are offering green M.B.A. programs, while businesses such as Community Bank in Oakland, California, look to hire green professionals. In fact, Community Bank just recently hired a green loan officer to review loans of organizations who want to either start or enhance existing sustainable business practices.
While a background in environmental studies – environmental engineering, environmental science, hydrology -- still offers a solid foundation for eco jobs, the chosen course of study should really be dictated by the role an individual wants to play within an organization.
In fact, a recent Boston Globe article indicated that general contractor Swinerton in San Francisco filled its first “corporate sustainability management position” with Grant French who has a master's degree in construction management with a sustainability emphasis. Grant now assists other engineers to obtain their LEED -- Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design – accreditation while he oversees Swinerton’s internal green focus.
While there are probably two dozen areas where environmental issues require trained professionals, a few include:
- Global climate change
- Biodiversity loss
- Green business
- Ecotourism
- Environmental justice
- Alternative energy
- Water quality
- Green architecture
For those who have completed their college degree and would like further education and training, consider the Environmental Leadership Program (ELP) in Boston which offers training and learning opportunities including fellowships, grants and mentoring programs for select individuals who are leading the way in environmental leadership or check out the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA) which coordinates several programs including the National Network for Environmental Management Studies (NNEMS) which offers a student fellowship program for undergrad and graduate students and the Watershed Academy which offers training courses and watershed-related training materials.
And even smaller organizations are getting into the act. Green Collar Vets in Texas provides returning veterans with training and know-how so they can build green.
For those who have already completed their education and training, and are now seeking that perfect job, there are many Internet jobsites (try googling environmental training and careers) that are geared specifically toward job postings for environmentally focused positions.
No matter where someone is at in their career, there are a lot of options to help them get the education, training and experience needed to work in an environmentally focused or eco job.
