Green Jobs and Green Careers Embrace Many Possibilities

Green Jobs and Green Careers Embrace Many Possibilities

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by Nancy Miller

What is a "green" career? Can any job be green, or are there designated "green jobs?" The White House has a definition for "green jobs" as does each individual state writing definitions and principles. Do we have a clear definition of what a green job is? The answer is no. From federal to state governments to individual businesses and markets, we are growing greener in our workplaces and our mindset.

As Carol McClelland, PhD, of Green Career Central says of the green economy:

It's evolving, ever-evolving.
It's advancing at different rates in different industries.

You can have a "green career" without having a green job. You can support green living wherever you work. You can create a business that helps eliminate waste and preserve the environment. You can train and educate people on what is green. A green career starts with living and working greener.

The next step is to find a job, business, or career that supports your green philosophy. Specific jobs are considered "green," and some of these are supported by government incentives, such as money the government pumped into the economy to stimulate it after the 2008 meltdown. [Editor's note: To find out more about these so-called stimulus jobs, see our article, Getting a Job in a Down -- But Stimulated -- Economy.]

Myriad other jobs support a "green" economy. The more consumers do to save energy, recycle waste, buy recycled and biodegradable products, shop locally, grow their own vegetables, and use shared transportation, the more green jobs we will find in the workplace. Job-seekers may have a hard time finding a "green job" in their industry with the pay scale they are looking for. Individuals who are passionate about keeping the environment cleaner and living healthy may need to propose and create their own jobs.

Questions about some of the terminology used in this article? Get more information (definitions and links) on key college, career, and job-search terms by going to our Job-Seeker's Glossary of Job-Hunting Terms.

This article is part of Job Action Day.

Nancy Miller has a master's degree in career counseling from Sacramento State University. She is a counselor, personal/career coach, and career management consultant. Nancy collaborates with businesses, colleges, and nonprofits to provide career information and opportunities for people from diverse backgrounds and professions. She developed the "LifeWork Success PlanTM" and "Color Your Style™" presentations to facilitate self-awareness, life and career planning. Nancy is the director and founder of The Center for LifeWork Design. She can be reached at clwd(at)njmiller.info.

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