Comments Kevin Doyle has made

Wind technician community college links

Got a message from an Oregonian who wanted to know why I included a link to an Iowa wind technician program, but left out links to others I mentioned.  

Well, because I grew up in Iowa, of course, and it's God's country, from Fairfield to Pella; from Glenwood and North Liberty.  Go, Hawkeyes.

Guess that's not a good enough reason though.

Here are the links to the other great programs.

Laramie County Community College in Wyoming
http://www.lcc.wy.edu/Index.aspx?page=1092

Highland Community College in Illinois
http://www.highland.edu/academics/new%20academic%20progra ...

Mesalands Community College in New Mexico
http://www.mesalands.edu/Plansofstudy/AAS%20Degrees/WindE ...

Columbia Gorge Community College in Oregon
http://www.cgcc.cc.or.us/Academics/WindTechnologyPage.cfm ...

If students, teachers, alumni or employers from any of these programs are out there reading, drop us a line and share your experience.  Are jobs as hot as they seem to be?

Kevin

Kevin Doyle kevinldoyle@gmail.com

Wind careers for the non-technical?

Hello Gristies!

I've received two emails in response to this posting taking me to task for an over emphasis on technical positions, what with all of my talk about technicians, engineers and such.

Two comments.  One, this is a technical industry we're talking about.  After all, these are people who generate electricity using advanced technology, and then find ways to link that generation to the transmission grid so that it flows right down to your light switch.  Face it, that's science, technology and engineering at work, and that's where at lot of the shortage is.

However!  Like all companies, wind energy firms in manufacturing, construction, and management need lots of other people as well.

Here are just a few additional job titles.

Rate analysts
Corporate Social Responsibility Officers
Sustainability Coordinators
Social marketing (and other marketing) specialists
Governmental affairs officers
Training managers (and trainers)
Website designers and coordinators
Public education coordinators
Recruiters

So, join the wind world.  Although it's true that technical positions are the ones most mentioned when I ask industry types about the people they can't find enough of, that doesn't mean there is not a place for others as well.

Hope you're all having a good day.

Kevin

Kevin Doyle kevinldoyle@gmail.com

Much needed fuel for the green jobs discussion

This is a great study that gets us closer and closer to ground level in the green collar jobs discussion.  As people rightly ask for definitions of green collar jobs, the names of actual job titles being counted, and the possible geographic location for job creation, studies like this are a big help.  Congrats to the Massachusetts researchers.

As for the first two comments from Grist readers, bring it on!  This is the debate we need.  What "counts" as green?  Which energy and efficiency investments and technologies make sense?  What standards will be used?  How will success be measured? Who decides?

Not so long ago, the idea of vetting job creation through a sustainability lens that considered economic security, ecological health and social justice as co-equal standards would have been unthinkable.  As more and more studies like this one emerge, we increase the probability that sustainability measures will become the default standard for discussing job creation efforts.

Next month's Remake a Living column here at Grist will look at some of the most popular job titles in one of these sectors:  wind power.

Kevin  

Kevin Doyle kevinldoyle@gmail.com

Right on the money

Thanks to Anna and Adam for bringing these stories together in one place. The job growth in wind energy, solar power, energy efficiency, biofuels, carbon management, and green building is happening now.

People often ask "where can I get more detailed information about these jobs?". One good way is to:

(1)  Visit a trade/union/professional association website of the industry/profession you're interested in (e.g. American Wind Energy Association, American Solar Energy Society, US Green Building Council, etc.).

(2)  Gather the names of some leading companies.

(3)  Go to the job posting area of each company's website.

(4)  Read the job postings for information about: duties/responsibilities, qualifications, background, salaries.

(5)  Ask the HR people for more detailed information about the job titles that interest you the most.

For those who are early in your career and are choosing training programs or colleges, feel free to ask company officials about programs and institutions they have hired from in the past.

The result of this research (which doesn't have to take a lot of time) will be detailed information about the structure of the industry's workforce and the skills/education/experience needed to be competitive.  Chances are good that other companies need roughly the same kind of people and you can make decisions about how best to proceed given your personal situation.

Kevin Doyle
Grist "Remake a Living" career columnist

Kevin Doyle kevinldoyle@gmail.com

Does Uncle Sam *Really * Want You?

Almost all of the university career services directors I've spoken with have noticed an increase in federal government environmental hiring.  Thought I'd spend time at:

http://www.usajobs.com

to check things out.

In this Earth Day week, the nation's main environmentally focused agencies were running ads for hundreds of full-time, permanent jobs, including:

USDA Forest Service:  209
Natural Resources Conservation Service:  42
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Admin.: 102
Department of Energy:  400
Environmental Protection Agency:  25
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission:  10
Department of Interior:  600

Many more ads for seasonal, temporary, term and intern positions.

Lots of ammunition in the actual job titles for those who say that the feds overwhelmingly are looking for technical, scientific, engineering, legal and administrative help, as opposed to "creative generalists".  No denying that on the basis of this evidence.  But, then, isn't that true of our economy overall?

Check it out for yourself. The usajobs site is exceptionally valuable because it provides detailed information (including salary ranges) about a wide range of eco job titles that also show up in state government and at consulting firms.  It's a free source of reliable information about what kind of skills and background you meet need and how much you might expect to earn.

Kevin

Kevin Doyle kevinldoyle@gmail.com

Letters filling the e-mail bag

Thanks to those of you who are sending career questions and situations directly to me.  It's clearly past time for a "from the e-mail bag" column and I'll take that on next month. Please keep your career and job-hunting questions coming, or post them as an "add a comment" right here.  Either way, we're here to help.

Kevin

P.S. Visit the jobs board and get info about Grist U., our new green careers campus visit program.  Just click the widget.

Kevin Doyle kevinldoyle@gmail.com

Great article. Thanks.

Thanks for sharing the article from Sustainable Industries.  Anyone thinking about a "green" MBA would benefit from reading it.  It would interesting to hear from '08 MBA grads or Net Impact members about how their job searches are going.

Kevin

Kevin Doyle kevinldoyle@gmail.com

Clere Thinking

Decided to contact some of those other schools (see comment above) and heard back first from Ray Clere, the director of career services for Indiana University's School of Public and Environmental Affairs.  He advises graduate students in environmental policy and natural resource management and environmental science. I offered him the chance to smack down those other colleges, or at least talk a little trash.  He declined.

He did, however share thoughts about the 2008 environmental job market.  

"Consulting companies and federal government agencies seem to be stepping up their hiring of our graduates.  In the consulting world, I'm noticing a big interest in general sustainability work, and in niche areas like carbon sequestration, environmental remediation, water quality, air quality and alternative energy," he said.  "The federal agencies include the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, EPA, Department of Energy and the Department of State's Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs.  Corporations with sustainability practices like Lehman Brothers are also in the mix."

Some entrepreneurs come out of the Indiana program.  Clere mentioned a 1999 graduate named Kyle Tanger who started the DC-based company called Clear Carbon Consulting (www.clearcarbonconsulting.com).

No word from Ray about who he plans to vote for in the Indiana primary.

Kevin Doyle kevinldoyle@gmail.com

dueling energy policies

Thanks for this brief but very informative gathering  of the possibilities inherent in good energy policies and investments in solar compared to the amount we're investing in fossil fuels.  The job creation potential of solar in California is so clear and obvious.  Let's hope that Congress and voters are listening so that we can cash in and reap the carbon emission reductions as well.

Kevin
kevinldoyle@gmail.com

Kevin Doyle kevinldoyle@gmail.com

Thanks for the great questions

To Green Mom:  Many of the sessions in Pittsburgh are dedicated to exploring exactly the kinds of obstacles that you identified.  I'll bring back some of the creative ideas for overcoming them, and we'll see what you think of them.  Will they work in the real world?

To Patrick in Beijing:  Since many of the leaders in the green jobs movement come from environmental justice backgrounds, there is a serious focus on how clean energy and efficiency investments can benefit low-income communities, communities of color, and people with other kinds of barriers to employment.  In fact, good jobs for these audiences is a central goal.  Now for the hard part - achieving results.

To Amy:  Can't promise you an actual job offer, but will definitely return with advice from people that are hiring entry level environmental engineers this year.

To Barb:  Thanks for the ideas for possible categories for thinking about green jobs.  

Keep those cards and letters coming.

Kevin  

Kevin Doyle kevinldoyle@gmail.com

Definitions *are* important

You're right, Sean.  Definitions are important, especially when public policies and investments are being requested, against which costs and benefits must ultimately be measured and judged.  If we argue for tens of millions of new dollars to train people for "green jobs", it's not picking nits to ask for clarity about definitions.  What's in?  What's out?  Who decides?  What are the criteria?

My point was that while we work out these definitions, we might also do well to speak to the public (and each other)in the more accurate, but less colorful, language of traditional employment categories.

Instead of saying "clean/green" energy, for example, and getting lost in definitions, we can limit our statements to facts that track back to real numbers, such as "assembly line employment at xx wind energy manufacturing sites in the United States grew by 'x' in the last two years", or "the demand for energy auditors in California has increased by 'y' since 2006", or "the number of architects receiving certification from the US Green Building Council has gone up xxx% since the first certification standards were agreed upon".

In some industry sectors and employment categories, we already have enough information to encourage public investment and create new training programs with an expectation that the trainees will find jobs upon graduation in numbers that we can guess at accurately.

I would hate for such training programs to wither on the drawing boards for lack of financial assistance because we can't decide whether they "count" as green collar jobs or not.

But I digress!  Leading representatives from most of the major environmental, social justice, civil rights and labor union organizations promoting the "green" and "green collar" jobs efforts will be together in one place for a couple of days, so let's see what kind of definitions are running around out there, and get a reaction from you and others.

Kevin

Kevin Doyle kevinldoyle@gmail.com

The place of agriculture in a green economy

Hello Tom!

Thanks for the query and I will definitely raise it to the conference speakers and workshop leaders, especially in light of the anticipated focus on non-agricultural approaches that promise good green jobs for the heartland.  Read:  wind energy, biomass, a re-energized manufacturing sector, energy efficiency projects.

It would be a pity if economic growth in these areas came at the expense of policies and investments that build strong local and regional food systems.  Obviously, an environmentally sound, socially just and economically viable food system lies at the very heart of a green economy.

Should be a lively discussion!

Kevin

Kevin Doyle kevinldoyle@gmail.com

Hooray, thank you and let's get to work

Hooray, indeed!  Loud applause for Van Jones, Jerome Ringo, Elsa Barboza, Bob Thelan, Ed Markey, Bernie Sanders, George Miller, Hilda Solis, Nancy Pelosi and everyone who is working to move this legislation forward.  It's fantastic and much needed.

Now is the perfect time for environmentalists, labor, social justice activists, community groups, business interests and government officials to work together towards its eventual passage and towards the follow up steps that lead to the fulfillment of the vision in Van's testimony.

I'm proud that Ed Markey and Bernie Sanders from right here in New England are taking a leadership role.  Green collar jobs are real, and they are now.  With leadership and solid programs, they can help lift thousands of people out of poverty and into stable careers with good wages.

Sign me up.

Kevin Doyle kevinldoyle@gmail.com

and the effect on environmental careers would be?

Thanks to all for the comments so far.  I agree completely that our human society and economy are ultimately embedded within the natural world and that the "wedding cake" diagram would be more accurate as an expression of reality.

Being somewhat spiritually inclined, I also like the reminder that the whole shebang might be animated by...well, let's just say "something greater".  Our world would certainly be very different if all of us were walking around with the sense that our "economic" actions were grounded in our social connections to each other, which in turn are grounded in our deeper connection to the natural systems that support all life on Earth, which in its turn draws existence from the Source.  

For the purposes of environmentally-inclined people seeking public, private and nonprofit employment in 2007, however, that greater reality might be a bit abstract to draw career and job search help from.

It seems to me that the "three circles" diagram in the original article does a good job of showing environmental institutions and professionals what is expected of them right now.  That is, we are asked to invent and implement "sustainable solutions" which somehow result in improved ecological health, social justice and economic security, on a global scale, at the same time.

I don't think that the institutions and professions that were created to pursue missions like "environmentalprotection", "conservation", and "natural resource management" have completely caught up to that change yet.

The effect on emerging professionals is profound.  Intellectually, we understand that the goal posts have been moved.  In fact, those of us in the "ecological health" circle had a lot to do with moving them.  We are being prepared in college to think in terms of transforming our society/economy to something more sustainable.  When we go looking for paid work, however, we find that our environmental institutions are still set up under the more limited (albeit essentially important) goal of "environmental protection", perceived by the mainstream economy as a "separate circle" of action.

So, we're struggling a bit.  I like to think that one of Grist's functions is to document the struggle and to provide a place to tell our stories and help each other out along the way.

Kevin Doyle National Director, Program Development The Environmental Careers Organization kdoyle@eco.org 617-426-4375, ext. 123

environmental applications of molecular biology

Will clone for food?  Has it really come to this?  I don't know the details of your specific situation, of course, but here are some general thoughts.  First, I hope that we can all agree that human health issues connected to air, water, soil, building and food pollution are environmental concerns of the first order - and that molecular biologists are actively involved in this work.  Second, I'm assuming that a person with molecular biology training in one subspecialty could shift focus to a different area without the need for a completely new degree.

Molecular biologists are widely employed at places involved with animal health and behavior, environmental and public health, and (to a lesser extent) ecological health and restoration. You can find employment at public health laboratories, control boards and inspection agencies; laboratories connected to state and federal agriculture, fish and wildlife, forestry, and environmental health agencies; and consulting firms that serve these areas.

They also work throughout the agricultural industry (and with its many watchdogs and critics) and at wildlife preserves, parks and zoos, botanical gardens, and arboretums.

Molecular biology is an excellent background from which to build a career as a junior high or high school science teacher (for which the need has never been greater).

It's true that the higher salaries for molecular biology have tended to go towards those working with and for big pharma - not only as researchers and lab techs, but also in management, sales and marketing.  My own limited understanding of the market, however, makes me think that a good negotiator needn't assume a paycut anywhere near the 38% in "willcloneforfood"'s example.

In terms of opportunities for targeted assistance, "willclone" certainly has a point.  Local career assistance centers are usually woefully inadequate when it comes to helping lab types and scientific trade associations are often focused exclusively on the academically employed PhDs that make up their membership.

I've found that college alumni associations from your alma mater are great sources of job leads, and that organizations like the ones below will help out with connections if you push a bit.

American Institute of Biological Sciences
http://www.aibs.org

American Society for Biochemis ...

Finally, I understand that a group of scientists has begun to work with the Springer publishing house on a book about careers in bioengineering and biotechnology which will examine a wide variety of alternative career paths.  You are not alone in your search for more ways to serve and earn a living.

Kevin Doyle National Director, Program Development The Environmental Careers Organization kdoyle@eco.org 617-426-4375, ext. 123

No phone calls, please

Hi, bhurley...I'm one of those so-called experts who tell job seekers to take "no phone calls, please" as a challenge, not an order.  Or course you don't want to demonstrate that you can't follow instructions.  And, you don't want to irritate people in exactly the way that they've indicated they dislike.  Here's what we sometimes suggest.  If you're interested in a job enough to apply for it, you're probably interested in that organization (and its people) at a broader level as well.  Perhaps this is a good time to start getting to know them a little better, eh?  Are they sponsoring an event soon?  Is there a project, program or campaign going on that you'd like to know more about?  There are always a dozen reasons for being in touch with creative people in your field that have nothing to do with applying for a posted job.  If your contact just happens to occur around the same time that your dream job is being advertised...well, let's just say that would be a happy coincidence.

Kevin Doyle National Director, Program Development The Environmental Careers Organization kdoyle@eco.org 617-426-4375, ext. 123

Shades of green

Hi, Typetive in the Entertainment Industry!

Your post gives us a chance to try out the five question scheme to see how well it works.

#1.  Do you work for an employer whose core mission/intention is focused on sustainability?

Well, no points there.

#2.  Is your employing institution producing meaningful sustainability results regardless of whether or not that's a core mission?

I'm guessing - no.  Strike Two.

#3.  Does your personal job have an impact/role that produces sustainability results?

You bet!  Good on you.  Score some points here.

#4.  Does your job require/use specific, environmentally-related training/education?

Just guessing again, but I'll say - no.

#5.  Do you approach your job with a conscious intention to produce sustainability results?

Yes, yes, yes.

I'd place this job, as a job, fairly low on the formal "environmentalness" career scale.  I think that your example, however, shows us just how far we've come in finding ways to "mainstream" sustainability intention and results into the economy.

Congrats to you and keep making the connections.

Kevin Doyle National Director, Program Development The Environmental Careers Organization kdoyle@eco.org 617-426-4375, ext. 123

Tell me your career change stories!

Hello, Grist readers...

I'm working on a future feature about people who have tried (successfully or unsuccessfully) to make a career change into something greener and more sustainable.  I want your stories.  Did you toil in some brown part of the economy for years?  Do you manage an ecotourism lodge in Costa Rica now?  How did you do it?

Inquiring minds want to know. Write and tell all!

Kevin

Kevin Doyle National Director, Program Development The Environmental Careers Organization kdoyle@eco.org 617-426-4375, ext. 123