Green Career Paths

"While the supply of, so-called, 'green talent' available to help with the integration is increasing, it is being outpaced by the demand for their offerings." Just another example of how growth in demand for green skills is outpacing growth in supply. More specifically, this article highlights the growth in demand for consultants to assist with sustainability reporting efforts as governments codify emissions reporting requirements. These policies are among the drivers of green skills demand across the labor market. Data from LinkedIn's Economic Graph shows that skills like carbon accounting, sustainability reporting, and energy audits are among the fastest growing green skills in Europe and the U.S. External consultants are the bridge over the in-house skills gap, but it's not a long-term option. Companies will need to build the in-house capacity, most commonly in their finance departments, to fulfill new reporting requirements. One interesting point from the article is that finance departments may look to hiring workers with science backgrounds as they build out the sustainability reporting function. That aligns with another finding from LinkedIn data - STEM skills are the most common skills among workers who transition into green jobs. h/t Ciaran McCormack 🌏 #greenskills #greenjobs #sustainability

Across the country, emerging partnerships like those led by The Industrial Commons, Hampton Roads Workforce Council, Lyra, Portland General Electric, and Greater New Orleans Foundation are poised to support #workers in accessing quality green jobs, help #employers bridge skill gaps through accessible training opportunities, and demonstrate how building the green workforce will boost quality jobs for people facing systemic barriers to advancement. In Forbes, I shares stories of these leaders and four strategies that all regions can adopt to foster a vibrant green economy that benefits employers, workers, and everyone affected by a changing climate. They are: 1️⃣ Expand the Definition of Green Skills and Green Industries 2️⃣ Promote Early Exposure to Green Skills and Green Pathways 3️⃣ Increase Access to Training for Workers Facing Systemic Barriers 4️⃣ Tailor Awareness and Messaging Read more below. #climateresilience #qualityjobs #greenjobs Jobs for the Future (JFF)

Exploring Lucrative Opportunities in the Logging Industry: Forging a Sustainable Path Forward The logging industry, deeply rooted in forestry and natural resource management, presents a range of opportunities that extend beyond traditional timber harvesting. As the world's demand for wood products, paper, and sustainable practices continues to rise, the logging sector has evolved into a dynamic and multi-faceted industry. Let's dive into the diverse opportunities that await within the realm of logging. 1. Sustainable Forestry Management: Guardians of the Woods As environmental concerns take center stage, the need for sustainable forestry management is more critical than ever. Professionals in this field work to ensure responsible timber harvesting, reforestation, and conservation. Forest managers, ecologists, and conservationists play a pivotal role in striking a balance between economic growth and environmental preservation. 2. Timber Harvesting and Logistics: Meeting Global Demand Timber remains a crucial resource for countless industries. Logging operations focus on responsibly harvesting trees for lumber, paper, and other wood products. Opportunities exist for skilled workers who can operate specialized equipment, manage timber yards, and oversee the transportation of raw materials to processing facilities. 3. Value-Added Wood Products: Unleashing Creativity The logging industry isn't just about felling trees. It also involves transforming raw materials into a variety of wood products. Skilled carpenters, woodworkers, and artisans contribute to crafting furniture, cabinetry, and artistic creations. Value-added wood products tap into consumers' appreciation for bespoke, handcrafted items. 4. Biomass and Renewable Energy: A Sustainable Revolution With the global emphasis on renewable energy, the logging industry has embraced innovative uses for wood waste and byproducts. Biomass energy production involves converting wood residues into biofuel, providing an eco-friendly energy source. Engineers and researchers in the field are working to optimize these processes for maximum efficiency. 5. Forest Consulting: Navigating Complex Terrain Forest consultants offer expertise in land management, timber valuation, and resource planning. Their insights guide landowners and stakeholders in making informed decisions about sustainable practices, conservation, and revenue generation. If you're passionate about both forests and business, this could be a promising path. 6. Eco-Tourism and Outdoor Recreation: Showcasing Natural Beauty Forests are not only a resource but also a source of beauty and relaxation. Logging areas can be repurposed for eco-tourism and outdoor recreation, offering opportunities for entrepreneurs to create lodges, hiking trails, and other nature-based... Read More: https://lnkd.in/gi9rsHB9 #logging #opportunities

Sharing the latest insights on breaking into a Climate job! Last Friday, Natalie Lavery from Climate People shared her top 5 insights and hot takes with our OnePointFive (opf.degree) Academy Community. 5 takeaways: ❤️ Make networking personal Hate networking? Introverted? Natalie emphasized leaning into your own style of networking. Networking doesn’t have to look like going to conferences to meet people. Small community meet ups, 1 on 1’s can help you manage your social battery and still be effective 🤝 Differentiate yourself from the crowd through volunteer experiences and technology In competitive application processes, think different. Her favorite stories of candidates came from one enterprising individual who recorded a Loom video on how they would approach a role. Another, volunteered as a mentor for a climate organization she respected 🧑 Think from the perspective of the hiring manager It’s expensive to hire people - hiring managers WANT to hire someone that can grow into the role and company. The #1 thing to be selling in your application, is that you can do the job, you don’t need hand holding. Teams, especially early-stage teams, don’t have capacity to lay out daily tasks 📱 Maturity of climate tech indicates where most lucrative jobs are Energy and transportaion are the most mature, and have received the most amount of funding, so if high-paying jobs in climate are what you are looking for, aim for these sectors 🟰 A lot of jobs in climate are the same, but they’re labeled differently Figure out how to translate roles from other sectors. Eg.. Business Development can be Commercial Sales, and enables the most effective way to get a climate job: switching into climate by choosing the same type of role, but different sector 💪 Stand out in people’s DMs When reaching out to hiring managers, or people you want to network with, be empathetic when asking for help. Do some research on the person, find some interesting overlaps and things you want to learn about that person, THEN state your interest in getting connected, being considered for the hiring role. Finally, Natalie had some 🔥 Hot takes to round out our discussion You hear often that “we need millions of people in the next decade”. (We at OPF are guilty of saying this!) But this is disheartening in getting a job and feels like a slap in the face, but it’s important to know that a 100 million of these jobs are for skilled labour. However, as Climate Tech matures, we’re seeing business support roles increasing and this applies to a lot of people that are wanting to switch into the field. What do you think about getting jobs in climate? Did any of these resonate?

On #EarthDay2024 , are you considering changing careers or continuing with a career change into #climateaction? It’s more doable than you may realize. Here are some great resources and people to follow to help you on your journey: 🌎 There are more than 1,700 professionals willing to talk with you, no strings attached, on #opendoorclimate. Daniel Hill founded this movement when he could no longer keep up with the flood of demand generated by his own open door policy (he directs innovation at Environmental Defense Fund). So he began recruiting others happy to offer informational interviews to jobseekers. To say this network has grown quickly is to say the space shuttle takes a leisurely ride into the atmosphere. Search the hashtag or visit the directory 👉 opendoorclimate.com. (Professionals, add your name!) 🌍 Follow Daniel Hill. Helping more people find or create climate-saving jobs is his passion. 🌏 Follow Yesh Pavlik Slenk, director of EDF’s Climate Corps fellowship and host of Degrees: Real talk about planet-saving careers. A font of wisdom on climate careers. 🌍 Follow Amy Morse, also at EDF. She’s a role model for anyone interested in saving the planet and in activism for causes she believes in. 🌎 Follow Mike Hower, a top expert in sustainability communication and one of the most generous people I know. Listen to his podcast, The Sustainability Communicator, and read his newsletter by the same name 👉https://bit.ly/3w47sDm 🌏 Follow Andrea Learned 🚲 Ⓥ 🎙️ She’s a climate influencer working with local and national leaders to help them communicate more effectively about on-the-ground climate change efforts. Listen to: 🌎 Degrees, Real talk about planet-saving careers. This green careers podcast highlights people working in climate careers or who have greened their “regular” job. Hosted by Yesh Pavlik Slenk. Season 5 offers practical steps toward getting a climate job, hosted by Daniel Hill. (Full disclosure: Podcast Allies has produced this show for six seasons, with gratitude to a phenomenal team including Tina Bassir, Mia Lobel, Stephanie Wolf, Tressa Versteeg, Andrew Parrella and many more.) 👉 https://lnkd.in/gFiGT2xz 🌍 Mountain & Prairie, a delightful and informative indie podcast produced by Ed Roberson. It’s eight years old and not to be missed. 👉https://lnkd.in/gw-KmER9 Good luck on your job hunt or on greening your career! P.S. I feel about Earth Day the same way I do about Black History Month and Women’s History Month — that we shouldn’t need them, because we should be giving the same “air time” to the planet, Black history, and women’s history all year as we do for so-called “mainstream” topics. But in the meantime, here we are. (Photo taken at sunrise from a houseboat in Kerala, India, January 2024.)

Skill sets for jobs around the world are projected to shift by 65% by 2030, according to new LinkedIn data. This sea change in skilling is being accelerated by generative artificial intelligence, presenting both challenges and new opportunities for workers and organizations to help address some of our planet’s most pressing problems. More than two-thirds of this year’s Jobs on the Rise didn’t even exist 20 years ago, including key roles focused on the transition to a more sustainable economy. Evaluating and organization’s environmental impact, responsible use of resources and compliance with emerging regulations have become critical roles and transferable positions for professionals to have an even greater impact. Emerging opportunities driving environmental change aren’t limited to roles solely focused on sustainability. While Sustainability Analyst and Environment Health Safety Manager are among this year’s top five, roles ranging from Grants Program Manager (#14) to Director of Land Acquisition (#15) are critical parts of the progress toward a more sustainable future. As the need for these types of positions continue to grow, the demand for green talent is starting to outstrip supply. For companies aiming to reach key sustainability targets, which impact everything from business resilience to consumer reputation, there will be a critical need to upskill workers to take on this work. Check out the Jobs on the Rise driving toward a more sustainable future, as well as LinkedIn’s Sustainability Resource Hub (https://lnkd.in/eHTTztNw), to learn more about how you can make an impact with your career. Huge congrats to Juliette Faraut, Sarah McGrath and Ashley (Peterson) Botarelli on producing such a comprehensive and insightful report! #JobsOnTheRise #futureofwork #sustainability #sustainabilityjobs #esg

Starting a Career in Climate feels like being lost in the desert. To find water, you must first ignore everyone telling you this 👇 We all know the people who tell you. → If you try hard enough, it’ll work. → Just apply for more jobs → It’s a numbers game. → Next week is better. Ignore all those words. Here’s what you do instead 👇 1️⃣ Fundamentals first Look at the entire climate economy. Pick two sub-sectors. → Start with the solutions map from Climate Drift. → Use the Project Drawdown solution library to drill deeper. Learn everything you can about your 2 sectors. 2️⃣ Find your Transferable Skills Most people completely underestimate their professional skills. Write down the answer to: “What am I really good at and why?” Then find your current job within a climate company. And map your skills to that job. 👉 Share “what you’re really good at” in the comments. I will give feedback + it will inspire others + it will help you become better 💪 3️⃣ Find your Pitch Find somebody doing your “future” job in a climate company. Ask them how they do their job. Pay attention to: → How they describe their work. → What tools do they use. → What KPIs matter. Focus on their words. Learn the language of a climate company in your target sector. And then use that intel to refine your pitch. 👉 Find people to talk to here: → #OpenDoorClimate climate by Daniel Hill has many climate tech execs.  → MCJ Collective by Jason Jacobs, Yin Lu, Leone Baron is one of the best. → Work on Climate by Eugene Kirpichov, Eva Marina, Nicole Sturzenberger is equally great. 4️⃣ Think Skills-Sector Fit. Not Impact. Everyone wants to work on something with a huge CO2 impact. That’s great. BUT Don’t re-invent yourself so you can work in a “big impact” sector. Go where your skills fit best. Where you can actually move the needle. Because the best impact is the impact that happens. Not the impact you keep chasing but never materializes. Use this list to find water in the desert. And make yourself successful 🙌 —— PS. In case you’re wondering ❓Why trust my advice❓ Maybe this helps (slightly blushing as I write this 😳) → I taught 100s of students at the best universities (Harvard, etc.) → Personally helped 1,000s of people transition careers. → Built a 6-figure, 7-figure, and a 8-figure business. → Advising 10+ early stage impact companies. PPS. 👉 If you want help with your career transition? 👈  Here are two options: 👉I’m offering 50 Free 1on1 Career Mentorship sessions (I have 200+ people on the waitlist 🤯) 👉I’m running a 1-day Climate Career Transition Workshop (Links in first comment).

'Since the Inflation Reduction Act passed into law last August, both domestic and foreign companies have rushed to set up shop or expand operations in the U.S. to take advantage of new tax credits — and that means new clean energy jobs are coming. According to a report from Climate Power, clean energy projects announced since the law’s passage are expected to produce more than 211,000 direct jobs across 45 states and Puerto Rico. More than half of these jobs — over 100,000 — are expected to be in battery manufacturing, mostly for electric vehicles. The battery jobs will be spread across 31 states, with the highest concentration in the emerging Battery Belt. Electric vehicle manufacturing is forecast to be the second-largest employment generator, with over 38,000 new jobs announced across 95 EV projects. Solar employment is expected to be close behind with just over 34,000 new jobs. And new wind power jobs could top 14,000 (though trouble in the offshore wind sector might dent those numbers).' Courtesy Canary Media Inc. and Maria Virginia Olano #ira #cleanenergytransition #nxtgen Eric Wesoff Gilbert Michaud, PhD Anthony Matthew Adam Elman Mariska M. Henry J. Lee D. Regan Alycia Gilde NXTGEN Clean Energy Solutions

More layoffs. This obviously sucks, and it's a reality of the world we live in. So here's a little list reminder about working, especially in climate. 1) Rest first. You are not your job. The last one or the next one. This does not mean that it's the end. Just an opportunity to transition to something better suited. Grieve. Celebrate. Read. See Family and friends if you can. Do stuff you love. You may not have that much time and need money fast, but even taking a few mornings to yourself. 2) Research. Read Project Drawdown's list of climate solutions or job descriptions. Check out Rewiring America's policy, CEOs and Mayors for Electrification. The International Energy Agency (IEA)'s solutions. Follow Jigar Shah on the work he's doing deploying capital from the Inflation Reduction act. Follow Sophie Purdom, Nat Bullard. Read Katharine Hayhoe's "Saving us." 3) Organize. From there, look at companies and non-profits you could work at (makes it easiest if you have a directly translatable job). Check out ClimateTechList, Green Jobs Board for jobs. 3) Know yourself. What are you really good at. What makes you come alive. Map those things to the above list of companies and non-profits. 4) Map your potential paths. Make a map to those jobs and who you need to talk to. What networks are they in. Are they available on Daniel Hill's #OpenDoorClimate list. 5) Help people. Volunteer, freelance, help folks that are in jobs near yours do theirs a bit better. Because, imagine, if you're on a team, who do you want, the person who understands your issues and willing to help, right? The unfortunate truth is that it's not a straight line to the next job, but a process that will be easier for some than others. Took me a long time (much longer than I hope it'll take you, and why I love doing #opendoorclimate ) If you need, reach out to me. My door is open.

Our #Sustainability Program Coordinator position received ~100 applicants in ~48 hours. This incredible response is a great sign for the sustainability field, and a good moment to offer #advice for those trying to get in. Some of what follows is drawn from recent hiring experience, and some is advice I would give my younger self, if I could. (The picture below is from 2015, just before I made my own pivot into sustainability). 1. Find a focus area. “Sustainability” is an incredibly broad field. Saying you want a job in “sustainability” is like saying you want to work in “business.” Decide what piece of sustainability interests you most. I work in #sustainableagriculture because I like working with farmers; I’m inspired by the impact potential of more sustainable supply chains. On my team, we have people that focus on environmental sustainability which includes emissions, renewable energy, #biodiversity, and packaging. We also have folks working on community engagement, including our non-profit partnerships and employee engagement. And let’s not forget about human rights. Beyond our team, there’s an industry need for people who do sustainability communications and marketing. There are career paths in sustainability advocacy and policy. Sustainability reporting is a rapidly growing field. The list goes on. 2. Network. Once you’ve chosen your focus area, reach out to people who work there. Ask them about their day to day. Reassess: Is this something you actually want to do? If so, ask them for advice. What skills are most important? How did they land their current role? What does the future of this area look like? LinkedIn is critical, use it daily. Follow people in your focus area. Comment on posts. Look for #opendoorclimate. If you can afford it, go to conferences. Introduce yourself to the panelists/ speakers. Ask good questions. ❤️ I landed a screening interview for my current role because someone in my network referred me. 3. Tailor your resume. Read the job description carefully and make sure your resume clearly hits the main points. For example, if you’re applying for a role that lists “data analytics” and “advanced Excel,” make sure your resume contains the words “data analytics” and “Excel.” Bonus points if you can work them into your most recent position. Don’t assume anyone can infer your skills. You may know that your role as “Program Specialist” involves a lot of data analysis, but if you don’t say that explicitly, you may be passed over. 4. Get clear on “why.” At some point in the interview process, someone will ask: “Why are you interested in this position?” Your answer should be compelling. Showcase your passion AND show you did your research. Speak to something specific that matters to the interviewer. Candidates that seem genuinely excited to work with us/our company always standout. 🌱Sustainability professionals: what advice would you give your younger self?