If you want to pursue a career in sustainability or a green career, there’s never been a better time to do it. Awareness about the importance of taking care of the environment is growing, and there are many different opportunities to make a difference, whether you are bringing a green sensibility to a more traditional career such as urban planning or transportation or you are interest in careers that have only come into existence in recent years, such as sustainability manager or solar consultant.
1. Get Your Degree
There are many different types of green careers you can have, from working in politics or for an advocacy organization to designing greener technology, exploring alternate energy sources and much more. Many of the most effective positions you can hold in this field require a degree. STEM degrees are particularly useful even if you end up in a non-STEM position, such as writing, politics or advocacy, because it will give you technical knowledge that you can use to back your positions and explain them to others. College can be expensive, and the price of tuition along with books, room and board can make it seem as though it is out of reach, but there are many different ways to choose to fund your education. Even if you don’t qualify for scholarships and grants, one alternative is to take out student loans. Look at which ones you might be eligible for and what your options are for repayment plans.
2. Consider Your Career Options
What type of career do you want to pursue? With so many tips for choosing an eco-friendly career it is important to do your own research. You could work in environmental protection, renewable energy, or environmental protection. You might become an energy auditor, a green architect, or an ecologist. There are many different paths you could take, but a strong grounding in science can be helpful in most careers. You don’t have to know exactly what you want to do with your life when you start college, but talk to your professors, classmates, and your campus career center to help you determine what major will be right for you.
3. Skills to Develop
In every type of job, there are certain skills you will need to develop, but in general, there are a number of soft skills that can be very helpful in any type of green career. Good communication can help you better explain the importance of sustainability to other people. In particular, the ability to convey scientific concepts in understandable and engaging ways is very valuable. Leadership skills can help you in persuading others and becoming a role model for a greener lifestyle.
A positive attitude can help you deal with pressures and worries about the environment. It can help you in encouraging others as well. Critical thinking and problem-solving skills will help you in examining data, looking at different points of view and coming up with ways to address tricky problems. These abilities can also help you in understanding different sides of an issue and in mediating, helping people talk through their disagreements and reach a compromise that still prioritizes sustainable measures.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
