It’s that time of year again when the exhilarating feeling of walking across the stage donning a cap and gown is quickly followed by the anxiety of wondering, what next? Many high school graduates are readying themselves for college and wondering what they should study, while others are bypassing college and heading straight into the work force. Those graduating from college are hoping that their four (or five or six) years of hard work will translate into a career that earns them some money and offers personal fulfillment. It can be a scary time, and knowing that our economy is at a low point can make those butterflies in the stomach feel more like a swarm of rabid bats. While there may not be any yellow brick road magically leading to success and riches, one paved in green might be worth considering.
As the young, green-savvy readers on this site know better than anyone, we are witnessing an explosion of interest, concern, and research in environmental issues. Unlike the Bush Administration, which has been very slow to even acknowledge the existence of global climate change, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and John McCain have all promised that their Administrations would make the issue a high priority. No longer is this a partisan issue; Democrats, Republicans, independents, liberals, conservatives, and moderates are all on board in many cases. And with gas prices at an all time high (and some legitimate predictions that they could rise as high as $6-7 a gallon in the near future), you can bet that all Americans will become very serious about re-thinking our unsustainable energy policies. In the same way that the 9/11 attacks and the Bush Administration’s response to them forced issues of national security into the front of our nation’s collective consciousness, I predict environmental considerations will equally dominate the national discussion over the next several years. And, just like with our national security concerns, lots and lots and lots of money will be spent on environmental initiatives. For those of us worried about global warming and environmental sustainability, that’s great news. For those trained in the careers receiving all that money, the news is even better. That’s why it seems beneficial for anyone making those big career decisions to consider how the greening of America can translate into more green for your wallet.
"In the same way that the 9/11 attacks and the Bush Administration’s response to them forced issues of national security into the front of our nation’s collective consciousness, I predict environmental considerations will equally dominate the national discussion over the next several years. And, just like with our national security concerns, lots and lots and lots of money will be spent on environmental initiatives."
The first thought in this realm are those jobs directly related to environmental solutions, often heavy in math and science: environmental engineers, sustainable design architects, land management, biologists, geologists, etc. That’s great and we’ll talk about those, but what about those of us whose idea of heavy math is balancing our checkbook and whose only idea of a science experiment is making a firm jell-o shot? Will we be living under a bridge somewhere hoping the lab coat set will drop the occasional dollar in our Styrofoam panhandling cup? Not if we get creative about how we interface our skills with this burgeoning green economy. It’s in that spirit that I’ve created a list of skills and industries that can benefit from a green awakening, starting with those typically thought of as less-related and ending with those at the forefront of the environmental revolution.
ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT (CREATIVE TYPES)
Writers/Filmmakers/Actors
So, you want to be the next great poet, playwright, or novelist. How can a green economy help you? Look at the success of the TV series24or the filmSyriana. Their success results not simply because they are well written, but also because they speak directly to the issues on people’s minds: terrorism and national security. If I’m correct in assuming that environmentalism will continue to build in the public’s consciousness, finding green-related stories or themes could get people’s attention. Maybe your next great novel, movie, or play will be about a hardcore environmental lawyer (ala Erin Brockovich) who risks life and limb to bring a dangerously polluting corporation to its knees. Or maybe it will be a story of warning about what a post-environmental apocalypse would look like. Eco-themed documentaries have already found great success withAn Inconvenient Truthand theMarch of the Penguinsto name only two. Television and feature films are coming around quickly, too. The Sundance Channel recently launchedThe Green, which they are calling “television’s first regularly-scheduled programming destination dedicated entirely to the environment.” The Day After Tomorrowwas Hollywood’s early stab at a silly but entertaining tale of eco-warning on the big screen. So, for anyone involved in the various modes of storytelling, remember that the consequences of environmental problems are inherently dramatic. They can deal with life, death, or even the end of humankind! Use that to your advantage.
Artists/Designers
One way the artist can get ahead in a green-conscious world is to use green-friendly materials. Using 100% recycled papers or canvases, vegetable dye inks, and other materials can be a big benefit – especially if you become an “expert” in this area. I have a friend who landed a great university teaching gig in an art department because she knew how to implement environmentally friendly printmaking methods. This can help in the commercial world, too. Companies will love being able to brag about how their marketing materials are eco-friendly.
Catering/Event Planning/Restaurateur
More and more, people are considering how what they eat affects the planet. Pesticides and genetically modified foods can cause big problems for the Earth, both in the manufacturing and the spraying of the chemicals involved. As a result, organic foods are not just good for your body; they’re good for the environment. Locally grown produce is also becoming a big priority for foodies and others. It takes a great deal less energy and pollution to ship tomatoes across town than it does to truck them across the country. Many restaurants, caterers, and event planners are implementing green friendly practices and menus. Like so many aspects of the green revolution, the benefits are numerous. First and foremost, the food looks and tastes much better which helps attract more customers. Secondly, both the business and their customers feel good about being part of the solution and not the problem. Staying on top of these continuing trends can set you or your business apart from the competition.
LAWYERS/ATTORNEYS
Environmental lawyers are sure to be in high demand in the coming days. Many of the big (and small) non-profit groups like the Sierra Club or Greenpeace have large legal staffs or legal consultants. They often sue governments or corporations in hopes of changing legislation. Corporations themselves will also look to hire or consult with environmental lawyers to learn how to stay in compliance with continually changing laws about the environment. With all of the major candidates proposing new legislation or new ideas about environmental legislation and tax policies, this is sure to be an area of growth. Of course, there will always be law firms who try to find legal loopholes that allow polluting companies to ignore legislation, and, presumably, they can make a lot of money, too. So, technically, that’s another way to make money during the green revolution, if you don’t mind selling your soul to the highest bidder.
GREEN COLLAR JOBS
“Green collar” jobs are those “blue collar” jobs that are related to green technology. Blue-collar jobs, of course, are those careers that typically don’t require a four-year college degree, like construction, manufacturing, or machine technicians. The green collar versions of these might include a solar panel installer or a green-roof installer. Almost every aspect of the construction trade can involve these new techniques and new materials. A few examples are installing bamboo flooring (which regenerates more quickly and takes up less acreage than trees), using recycled blue jean material for insulation, implementing an eco-friendly plaster replacement, and installing thicker paned windows for better insulation. Some large corporate and university buildings are even designing systems where cafeteria scraps are used to create a biogas that can generate electricity for the buildings. Learning some of these trades early on can translate into big dollars. And the great thing is that these positions can’t be outsourced to India, China, Mexico, or elsewhere. The more entrepreneurial minded might consider starting their own business doing these things. This leads to the next category…
BUSINESS & ENTREPRENEURS
Green Building/Manufacturing/Retrofitting
The potential business opportunities for green-specific companies are staggering. Many cities and municipalities will likely demand that government buildings are retrofitted for energy saving measures because it can save them big money. Starting or working for a business that caters to this need could be a goldmine.
Green Marketing and Sustainable Marketing
Many businesses will want to know how to market themselves as eco-friendly because of the good public relations it affords them, and others will want to do so to simply save money. Those in marketing and advertising would do themselves a favor in learning how to brand a company as green-friendly (The ACME Company is a friend to the Earth in the following ways…). The greening can also be in the actual materials used to market. 100% recycled papers and eco-friendly dyes can be used for mailings and brochures. Better yet, learn how to be just as effective ditching paper altogether and using online marketing as much as possible.
Accounting and Finance
The bean counters and number crunchers could get noticed very quickly if they discovered how to save their company big money by saving energy costs. An example might be looking closely at a company’s expenses and showing the big boss how investing in hybrid cars for their sales staff can save them loads of money over the long haul. Learning about all the tax incentives and deductions that can result from eco-friendly practices might be good, too. That might even be a new job – green accounting.
THE “DUH” JOBS
Last, but certainly not least, are those jobs at the vanguard of the environmental revolution – the ones you automatically think of when you think of green technology. Those are the jobs like environmental engineer, sustainable design architect, environmental land planning, and, of course, the chemists, biologists, and geologists working on environment-related projects. The chemist or engineer who learns how to create an inexpensive and reliable fuel cell allowing cars to run on water will no doubt be a gazillionaire (or at least a Nobel Prize winner). The person who learns how to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere will be a global hero. But even just the person who works on a more environmentally-friendly car tire or a better alternative to wood products will never have to worry about finding a good-paying job.
The bottom line is that eco-consciousness is coming full steam ahead. No matter your career interests, being knowledgeable about green issues and thinking creatively about them can help you stand out in a competitive job market. More importantly, however, those training for work in a burgeoning green economy are in a win-win situation. They know that their skills will be in high demand, but they can also feel great knowing they are devoting themselves to a career that benefits everyone on the planet. That’s enough to make those outside of the environmental economy green with envy.