Five Ways to Kick-Start Your Career in the Green Economy
The transition to a sustainable economy is projected to create more than 4 million new green jobs in California alone in the next 30 years. What’s more, the demand for green job skills is outpacing those available in the workforce, presenting unprecedented opportunities for today’s students and young professionals.
The rapidly growing green economy offers career opportunities of all kinds, ranging from engineering and civic planning to HVAC, construction, electric vehicles, and more. These in-demand careers are lucrative and align with a wide range of educational and training pathways, including career technical education and apprenticeships. Plus, these careers offer purposeful work and the opportunity for young professionals to use their skills and talents for the benefit of their communities, the planet, and our shared future.
In this article, we share a few steps you can take to kick-start your career in the green economy.
Focus on Education
The first step toward any career is to research and pursue relevant degrees, experience, and/or training programs. Green careers vary widely in educational and training requirements. Some are aligned with a traditional university path, including bachelor’s or more advanced degrees; others require training and certifications earned through CTE (career and technical education) programs and the local partners who support them, such as community colleges and industry partners.
“The Future of Work is Green” report, developed by CAPS in partnership with Accenture, outlines areas of expected green job growth and an array of associated roles. Once you’ve identified the fields that interest you, you can begin to explore the training and/or educational degree requirements associated with various roles within that field. Education and training may include college degrees such as environmental science, sustainable agriculture, or environmental engineering, as well as specialized courses or technical education focused on sustainability, energy efficiency, green technology, energy auditing, or renewable energy technologies.
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Explore Green Building Design and Construction opportunities.
Explore Green Transportation, Electric Vehicles, and Zero-Emission Vehicles opportunities.
Build Your Network
Perhaps you’ve heard the old adage, it’s not what you know, it’s who you know. This saying highlights the importance of a strong network related to your given field. That doesn’t mean you have to be born with a network of connections — there are numerous practical steps you can take to start building out a network of friends, educators, and mentors who can support you on the path to your career.
Start by researching educators and professionals in your field of interest and ask them for informational interviews. You might find relevant companies in your area and reach out via email or start a LinkedIn account and begin your research there. If you are a student and you’re not sure where to start, ask a teacher or advisor at your school for assistance.
Invite your connections to short in-person or virtual meetings and explain you are hoping to enter their career field and would love a bit of their time to answer a few questions to help you in your career exploration. Come to these meetings prepared with relevant questions such as what path they took to their career, what they enjoy about their job, and what advice they may have to offer. You could also ask if they have other contacts they might be willing to connect you with.
If you are a young professional, consider joining relevant industry groups such as the U.S. Green Building Council or the Association of Energy Engineers, or researching and participating in industry conferences, workshops, or seminars.
In partnership with green professionals, CAPS provides paid hands-on internships and apprenticeships to students.
Contact CAPS directly to learn about opportunities to connect with professionals.
On the Green Job Search
Once you’re ready to start the search for green job opportunities, make sure to target your search. It’s important to tailor your application materials to the requirements of the role and the values of the company. Start by demonstrating your commitment to working in sustainability in your cover letter, sharing how your passions are aligned with the work and mission of the company you are communicating with. Next, make sure to highlight your skills and experience — both educational and internship, apprenticeship, or work experience — that are relevant to the specific role you’re applying for.
Check out job boards that specialize in green jobs, such as Green Careers Hub, Green Jobs Board, and Green Jobs Network.
Make use of your network by telling teachers, advisors, friends, colleagues, and mentors about the kind of job and company you’re looking for.
Stay Informed
Keep an eye out for industry trends such as emerging green technologies and innovations that could impact career opportunities. You can also stay up to date on shifting regulations and policies that may affect opportunities. For example, through legislative acts such as the California Climate Commitment and a record $54 billion investment over five years in climate action, California is promoting an ecosystem of green jobs.
Other initiatives, such as the California ZEV (zero-emission vehicles) Market Development Strategy, set ambitious goals that will increase demand for specific green jobs. In this case, state goals such as 100% of all new-vehicle sales of passenger cars and trucks being zero emissions by 2035 create an explosion in demand for jobs in the fast-paced and evolving electric vehicle industry.
Bring CAPS Programming to Your School
Through paid internship and apprenticeship programs, CAPS provides students with a wide array of opportunities to gain real-world experience in green careers and associated skills. This includes technical skills such as project management and environment impact assessment, and “soft skills” such as communication, problem-solving, and teamwork. This hands-on experience is an excellent starting point to help you explore the kinds of green careers that might be of interest. Internships and apprenticeships also provide experience and skills you can list on college and/or technical training program applications and your resume. Because CAPS training programs are offered in partnership with professionals in the industry, they also offer built-in networking opportunities.
Contact us to learn more about bringing the CAPS program to your school.
The growing green economy offers an exciting opportunity for students and young professionals across a wide range of industries. By exploring these opportunities and seeking related experiences and connections, you can put yourself on the path to your green dream job.