One essential need that is often overlooked within the emerging economy is encouraging and persuading companies and individuals to take greener actions. When you consider this role to be a green job, additional green opportunities open up for job seekers with communication and interpersonal skills!
Eco-Psychology / Environmental Psychology
In these related fields the focus is on how humans interact with and are influenced by the environment. By understanding this relationship we can discern how people develop a deeper, more mindful connection with their natural environment.
This information can also be applied in designing sustainable environments, encouraging green buying habits, and establishing sustainable living habits.
Environmental / Sustainability Education
Another building block in building greener actions is teaching residents and employees how their behaviors have a direct impact on their personal carbon footprint and their organization’s footprint.
Creating accurate, compelling, and memorable ways to communicate scientific concepts such as global warming, climate change, and environmental impact awakens a new level of understanding, and hopefully action, around sustainability.
Environmental and/or sustainability education may be needed in organizations that are taking on a sustainable mission, to help residents understand a new recycling service, or to inspire young people to develop green life habits.
Green Media
The media play an important role in communicating developments within the green economy and inspiring people to look beyond their lives as usual to tap into new innovations that continue to be available. Whether green news is integrated into traditional media channels or a dedicated green media source, you may want to target print, broadcasting, or electronic media.
Use your writing skills, graphic design talent, and video production aptitude to communicate trends in the emerging economy.
Green Creative Arts
If you are a singer, musician, playwright, or photographer, look for ways to dedicate your talents to inspiring people to approach their own lives and their environment in greener, more sustainable ways.
Green Marketing and Sales
As companies come to market with new products and services they need a marketing team to make target customers aware of the features and benefits. In addition they must have a sales team ready to close the sale.
The requirements of these positions depend on the industry and the specifics of the product/service. If you have a marketing or sales background, look for opportunities within the emerging economy that mirror the kind of experience you show on your resume. To excel in your position familiarize yourself with the issues and pitfalls of green washing.
Sustainability Management and Consulting
Whether you work inside a company as an employee or as a consultant, helping organizations assess their impact on the environment and community is a key step toward creating changes in their business practices. The next step is to identify and work with teams to implement the strategies and initiatives that will improve the organization’s sustainability status.
Bottom Line
Helping more people and organizations turn toward more sustainable habits and practices is a critical role in creating a vibrant green economy. The more people are inspired to take greener actions, the more demand there is for green products and services and the more likely people will act in ways that are more sustainable.
© Copyright, 2011, Carol McClelland. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
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Carol McClelland, PhD, is the author of Green Careers For Dummies and the Founder and Executive Director of Green Career Central, a full-service online resource center dedicated to providing career guidance, coaching, and resources to clarify the ever-evolving world of green career possibilities for professionals, students, and career counselors. For more information, visit Green Career Central.
