Fast Company has come out with a great article, titled, “Ten Best Green Jobs for the Next Decade.” Many ordinary hard-working citizens have been setback by America’s current financial crisis. What better way to get back in the game than with the industries poised for inevitable success? With Obama’s new groundbreaking initiatives, the green revolution is finally underfoot.
Here is the list. The original article noted training programs and degrees for most jobs, but I did the honors of providing links so you don’t have to hunt them down, and I filled in the holes when possible. Good Luck!
The jobs are:
1. Farmer–Bring it back to the basics with sustainable farming practices. Often small-scale operations, sustainable farming is a great way to go into business for yourself. At least with the economy slump, you won’t have to worry about how much food is on the table!
Top-Notch Training: University of Vermont: Center for Sustainable Agriculture, Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture (New York State), Evergreen State College (Olympia, Washington)
2. Forester–Caretake the forests, teaching local communities sustainable forest management practices and monitoring environmental impact.
Top Notch Training: Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies (New Haven, Connecticut), Duke University: Nicholas School of the Environment…, (Durham, North Carolina), University of Michigan: School of Natural Resources & Environment
3. Solar Power Installer– Learn to harness the power of the sun, a renewable energy resource with infinite potential. This improving technology has a very bright future.
Top-Notch Training: Almost every decent-sized city has local programs which can teach you to install solar energy systems. Do some homework. Local governments are enthusiastic about initiating these changes, so new programs are usually well advertised. If nothing comes up, try contacting the local university and finding out who can point you in the right direction.
4. Energy Efficiency Builder: Builders and architects are beginning to understand our creations must integrate with nature rather than interfere. Additionally, we can harness many of the Earth’s natural processes for our own comfort and convenience. A very innovative field!
Top-Notch Training: Arizona State University School of Architecture: Energy Performance Climate-Responsive Architecture, University of Michigan: Alfred A. Taubman College of Architecture + Urban Planning, The Earth Institute at Columbia University (New York City)
5. Wind Turbine Fabricator– Are you one of the thousands who lost or is losing his/her job in the outdated automobile industry. Unfortunately for those of us who depend on this American icon for the livelihoods of their families, times are changing. Embrace that change and take your skills into a new industry which needs you. Use your skills to help create the solution. There is a place for everyone in the green revolution, and wind turbine technology needs highly-skilled people who know metal and mechanics.
Top-Notch Jobs: American Wind Energy Association Job Board
6. Conservation Biologist– Help preserve the ecological systems we have not already crippled. Earth itself is an intricate and complex system. Be proud of ensuring its beauty is there for our children, as well as its ability to support human life.
Top-Notch Training: Center for Conservation Biology at the University of Washington , Center for Conservation Biology at Stanford University (California), College of the Atlantic (Maine)
7. Green MBA and entrepreneur– Guide major corporations in the right direction, or go into business for yourself. Businessmen will indeed be the leaders of the green revolution.
Top-Notch Training: Stanford School of Business, San Francisco’s Presidio School of Management, Leeds School of Business (University of Colorado at Boulder), Bainbridge Graduate Institute in Washington
8. Recycler– Get a job or start your own business recycling. Repurpose used goods and minimize waste.
Top-Notch Resources: Recycling: It’s Your Business –website listing resources and guides for those interested in starting a recycling business.
9. Sustainability Systems Developer–Do you have an extensive background in computer systems technology? With all this new technology and infrastructure, systems developers will be required to keep everything running smoothly. Whether manufacturing computers or finding new ways to put them to use, your skills are in high demand. I could not find degree programs targeted specifically towards sustainability systems; however, Fast Company’s suggested companies are all making a call for resumes.
Top-Notch Training: V2Green, WindLogic, IBM
10. Urban Planner– New urban planning practices take not only the environment but quality of life into consideration. Organizing the communities we live in is a field going through revolutionary changes. Design the cities of the future!
Top-Notch Training: Penn Institute for Urban Research (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), Harvard: Department of Urban Planning and Design (Cambridge, Massachusetts), Portland State University: Nohad A Toulan School of Urban Studies and Planning (Oregon)
Of course, top-notch training is not a necessity to break into these fields. Check with your local universities and colleges to see what they offer. Or consider turning one of these jobs into a green business idea. By jumping in as the momentum begins, you may find the current picks you up and carries you along.
1 Comment
May 21, 2009 at 1:13 am
Interesting ideas, I am in Canada but there are some decent concepts. I am also disabled so physical is out of the plan. Thanks