Green Job Growth - Is the Grass Really Greener?
Published October 28, 2009 @ 07:44PM PT
If you've been thinking about a career change to the nonprofit sector, you may want to consider a "green" job. Many experts believe that we are just at the beginning of job growth in this area. In fact, according to the nonprofit American Solar Energy Society, the number of U.S. jobs directly or indirectly related to energy efficiency and conservation will reach 40 million by 2030.
So, what are these jobs? Work is or will be available in a number of areas (some nonprofit and some not) including air quality, emissions, clean water and clean energy. What does this mean for a would-be green employee? Do your research to determine where your skills are in the highest demand and then, follow the money. NYC (among many others) is taking advantage of federal stimulus dollars to retool, retrain and support organizations in the green sector through 30 new initiative's. According to a recent press release from the Mayor's office, the initiatives - which build upon PlaNYC, the City's comprehensive sustainability plan - will support the creation of 13,000 new jobs, doubling the City's green sector workforce.
The best way to do all this "tracking" is to stay up-to-date through online research and networking. Let Google Alerts do some of the work for you and don't forget to track new funding trends. You can find this information by listening for federal grant announcements, charitable giving initiatives by private foundations or news about newly, launched nonprofit programs.
A recent CNN article provides a lot of useful information especially about WHERE you'll find all this work. If you are "unencumbered" and willing to relocate, there are a number of projected jobs in various places across the country. Think outside the box if you're able to, and pursue a new "green" job in a new place - The grass may be greener after all!
(Photo Credit: http://www.greenernews.com/blogspot.com )
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Author
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Erin is the Director of Candidate Services at the Nonprofit Professionals Advisory Group, where she advises job seekers including for-profit professionals on how to land a great nonprofit job.
