By: Katy Kozusko
Submitted: 2010-08-26 19:37:45 | Word Count: 460
Getting Ready For Green Careers
Green careers are on a lot of people's minds lately - as government and corporate green programs expand, so does the number of environmentally related jobs. You might think that the only green jobs available are in the growing fields of alternative energy, but there are actually all kinds of opportunities out there. No matter who you are, or what your education level or background might be, you could get a great green job. You just have to be ready to take advantage of the opportunity.
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What does it take to be ready for a green job? First, you need to know what you can bring to the table. Take account of your skills, education, and background. Don't leave anything out. Even skills that seem unrelated might be appropriate. You don't have to have a degree in conservation or ecology in order to work in a field that's working on its environmental practices. There's a green version of just about every job in existence.
Once you know what you have to offer, you can start looking for the Green careers that match what you can do. There are plenty of opportunities, some of them in unlikely places. The green construction field needs engineers, architects, designers and builders, for instance. Maintenance workers are required to help with installing wind and solar projects and keeping them running correctly. Legal fields need people familiar with environmental law and best practices, and every green organization needs art and design professionals. Even recycling companies are looking for people to help them run their organizations more effectively.
Don't just look for job listings, either. Find out which companies employ people with your skills and background. Contact them first - don't wait for them to call. The vast majority of positions are filled without a public advertisement in the local paper, after all. While you'll probably talk to a lot of companies that aren't hiring right now, getting your resume or application into their files is still a good idea. After all, you want to be someone they want to get in touch with.
Could you go green with your next job? If you keep an eye on the market and take the time to understand how your skills could apply, the answer is most definitely yes. There are all kinds of green jobs out there - not just the highest profile planning and engineering positions. We need workers to help put together our new green infrastructure, from manufacturing and assembly to maintenance and management. There's a very good chance that your next job could be one that's a lot more beneficial for the environment.
