What green careers do you want to learn more about? 12

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1. 

   GreenHick Posted 7:48 am
   08 Aug 2008

   Green JobsAlthough you have sectors in your poll, I'd be interested in learning about individual careers. The one I personally have in mind is ecological technologist, doing perhaps some initial testing and evaluation, but also being able to design and eventually set up and repair are range of installations for homes, farms and small to medium sized business: ground pumps, solar thermal, solar PV, wind, micro-hydro, co-generation, biogases and energy from waste...
   One should be able to do comparative analysis and hybrid co-generative installations. Not designing new technologies so much as making adaptive use of existing ones.
   Presumably you'd have to partner with consulting architects, an engineer or two, and some master trades people.
   
   

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2. 

   gajraaj Posted 10:30 pm
   10 Aug 2008

   Career Transitions?Kevin
   I am a regular reader to your posts and find them extremely valuable.
   I am looking for some help around career transitions to green jobs. Many people, like me, who initially wanted green careers, drifted to other careers due to financial/personal/social reasons. With the current incresed level of activity and focus in this area, many want to come to their orginal choice, may be in totally different areas/fields/domain. Do you have any advice or strategy for them?
   Ravi

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3. 

   PermieWriter Posted 2:27 am
   11 Aug 2008

   Energy efficiencyWhat, no option for energy efficiency? A watt saved is a watt earned, after all, and negawatts are the best form of generation. That's where my green job is.
   
   Eat what you grow, grow what you eat

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4. 

   wiscidea Posted 2:58 am
   11 Aug 2008

   What about biotechnology industry?The biotechnology industry isn't list as an option. I'd like to learn more about this area and the green aspects of it. It is not just Monsanto and not just biofuels.

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5. 

   wiscidea Posted 3:01 am
   11 Aug 2008

   What about restoration ecology?Restoration ecology is not an option on the list. Is there any indication that this is a growing viable field? Worth getting a degree in ecology right now? Will it ever pay a living wage? How DOES one get into it?

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6. 

   Kevin Doyle Posted 5:02 am
   11 Aug 2008

   Keep those votes and comments coming!Hello, eco-job seekers!
   Thanks for the immediate response to the poll, and to the requests for additional job titles and sectors.  It's all good, and we're already gabbing about how best to respond.
   Re: energy efficiency careers, please forgive me.  Can't believe that one got left out.  In my world, it's pretty much at the top of the list.  My bad.
   Re: the other sector and job title suggestions.  Very good ideas.  I'm adding them to the list.
   Re:  more general advice for career changers.  You are not alone.  I get this request a lot.  Perhaps another poll for non-sector career and job search questions is in order.
   Thanks again and keep voting.
   Kevin
   
   Kevin Doyle
   
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7. 

   wuthnow Posted 11:23 am
   11 Aug 2008

   broadening the scopeHere's a vote for presenting ideas to those of us who fit into the 'mature' category looking for a career transition.  
   And is there any chance of providing an international perspective or some commentary on which kinds of careers can be pursued remotely and/or in cyberspace and so don't rely on being resident in the U.S.?
   Thanks for doing this - important stuff.
   
   doctorj

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8. 

   wiscidea Posted 1:51 pm
   11 Aug 2008

   telecommutingSuggestions for telecommuting or otherwise working at home, besides multi-level marketing scams, might be interesting. Or did you already cover this?

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9. 

   wordwright Posted 8:28 am
   13 Aug 2008

   And there's no mentionof sustainable agriculture, urban farming, community-supported agriculture or farmers market organizing, cooking with local ingredients, or anything else food-related...
   
   (and after all, what's more important than eating?)

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10. 

    wiscidea Posted 8:52 am
    13 Aug 2008

    Good point... wordwright.There's marketing and environmental education, but what about basic green living education outreach? Are there jobs for people who want to educate others about natural landscaping, sustainable gardening, preserving their produce, living simply, et cetera. Where would one find such jobs? Sorry if you covered this elsewhere.
    I often wonder, and have probably mentioned it several times on this website, whether people just need adequate information and they'll do what is best for conserving resources and protecting biodiversity.
     

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11. 

    earthmama Posted 7:06 am
    14 Aug 2008

    Green JobsI would like to know about education and possible future jobs in the area of ecopsychology, especially as to the midwest region of the U.S.  I think people need to realize how disconnected they are from nature, and that this is making them sick, both in spirit and body.  Our mindset needs to change in order for us to live a different (more energy-efficient) lifestyle.

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12. 

    wiscidea Posted 2:59 am
    15 Aug 2008

    backcastingHow does one prepare themselves for a career in backcasting. I heard about this while listening to a WPR program (Here on Earth, free podcast available somewhere) about the Natural Step movement.
    Based on this post...
    http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2008/8/14/13038/1574
    ... numerous industries really really need backcasters!!!!

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