Help Change the World With Green Jobs – for Everyone!
A lot of people tell me they would love to make a difference. They want to help slow climate change, they want to work in green jobs that helps the environment. And I’m always so happy to hear this!
But many people also think that the only green jobs are those directly involved with renewable energy – installing solar panels, for example.
But that’s just not true! There are literally hundreds of green jobs out there just waiting for you to make a difference and care.
Read on to find out how you can find a perfect selection of green jobs.
What Are Green Jobs?
Firstly, let’s just look at exactly what green jobs really are. Green jobs, or “green-collar” jobs, are decent jobs that help preserve or restore the environment.
Green jobs can be in traditional sectors (e.g. manufacturing, construction), or in new, green sectors (e.g. renewable energy and energy efficiency).
Suppose you are a plumber. Can you get a green job? Of course!
What about an auditor, accountant, admin assistant or IT specialist? All of these skills can work in green jobs.
Read on!
Are Green Jobs Expanding?
Absolutely! Governments worldwide are making efforts to promote the environmental industry.
- In many developing countries there is a rising demand for energy combined with skills shortages in some areas.
- First-world countries are already investing huge amounts into alternative energy – both in research and in implementation.
If you
- have a passion for the environment
- want to work for a green company,
- or help make a company greener by improving its processes
- or if you know someone who wants to
here are some possible areas to look at.
At the end of the post I also list some general hints and tips.
Examples of Green Jobs
The following are possible job functions / descriptions:
Project Developers: If you are an entrepreneur with a bit of vision, and have experience in corporate finance and large-scale, capital-intensive projects then this could be for you. Put plans together for sustainable energy projects by looking at potential sites for wind or solar plants, negotiate with the landowners (often farmers) and address legal aspects. A large part of the job is securing finance.
The wind sector is huge worldwide, and there’s also concentrating solar power (CSP), which uses mirrors to focus sunlight onto receivers to generate steam that turns turbines and generators. It works best in cloud-free environments, so it’s restricted geographically. (The photo shows the world’s first tower, which is in Spain; there are now several across the world).
Project Planners direct the entire process of constructing a wind turbine, solar power or water desalination plant. You’ll probably need a background in engineering.
Wind energy technicians: Wind turbines need people to service them. This can be on land and also offshore (in the sea). Maintenance training courses for technicians are available in many countries. This could be a viable option for a career change for millwrights as well as electricians, fitters and turners.
Solar water heater installers/manufacturers: Plumbers can acquire the skills to install the heaters, and there may also be opportunities in the manufacturing sector – some heaters are being imported from China, but many countries will want local producers.
Engineers: Arguably, those with an engineering background will gain the most in the green revolution. Electrical, mechanical, civil and chemical engineers are involved in the construction and maintenance of sustainable energy ventures. In general, engineers with a postgraduate qualification and a good understanding of the electricity grid are offered the best jobs.
Environmental impact specialists: This is an increasingly important field, with a number of consultancies already active in the area. You will need at least a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree, specialising in the Earth and natural sciences.
Scientists: There is an explosion of potential green focus areas for scientists, including the development of clean energy, nanotechnology and the science of desalination.
Agriculturalists: Food security is an issue, especially with the disasters brought on by climate change. Natural farming methods as well as biotechnology are increasingly important.
Construction/architecture: Making buildings energy-efficient will offer a number of new job opportunities, These include energy rating auditors, who perform a comprehensive analysis of a building’s energy efficiency; permaculture specialists who analyse land use and community buildings to create a harmonious blend of buildings, microclimate, plants, animals, soils, and water; as well as urban arborists, landscapers with an understanding of conservation and renewable resources.
Auditing – There is now greater emphasis on reporting environmental sustainability. Auditors can provide a service to companies wishing to calculate, monitor and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
Other job titles could be green product designers – who develop products that use less energy and raw materials to produce, consume less to use, and end their lives in a sustainable manner – and environmental managers, who coordinate management of an organisation’s environmental performance.
What About Existing Jobs?
It’s not just about completely new green jobs. Many current professions will have “green” added to their existing job description. For example, accountants might manage corporate carbon emission offsets, and IT technicians need to manage data centres in the most efficient way possible.
And of course, if you have an existing job, but feel you would prefer to work for a green company, they also have ‘normal’ jobs e.g. admin assistant, marketing and sales, HR and so on. You’ll be helping the environment by working for a green company, using your existing skill set.
Need to Find A First Green Job?
Here are some quick hints for finding your first job in a green industry:
- Get a rated qualification from a reputable university.
- Do an internship. Offer your services to a big sustainable energy project developer, consulting engineers or a utility to get some experience. Consider working for six months to a year on a big international project.
- Volunteer – get involved and work with charity organizations that run sustainable projects. The experience you gain can be invaluable.
- Get a job with your country’s main electricity supplier. Understanding “old” energy and how the power grid works will be of great help.
- Recruitment agencies – some agencies specialise in sustainable energy or green jobs. Find out from recruiters which skills and qualifications will give you the edge.
- Network – join professional organisations that represent green jobs, read their newsletters, go to conferences and get to know industry insiders.
Conclusion
It’s not only solar and wind engineers who can get green jobs. The world is wide open for green jobs no matter what your skill set comprises.
This post should inspire you to think about how you can either get your first green job, change your existing job into a green job using your current skill set, or calculate how you need to re-skill to find work you’ll truly enjoy, while you’re helping to save the environment. And that’s really worthwhile!
Oh, and you can add “Helped to Save The World” to your resume or CV!
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Do you have a green job, or would you like one? Let me know in the comments below.
Warm regards,
P.S. Don’t forget to download your free climate change report here!
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