GREEN CAREERS
Butte College Career Services
April 2009
www.butte.edu/careerservices
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Debbie Bachman
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Vern Massengale
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Josh Woodward
What is a Green Career?
State of California Definition
of Green Industries
Green or clean is any activity or service
that performs at least one of the following:
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Generating and storing renewable energy
Recycling existing materials
Energy efficient product manufacturing, distribution,
construction, installation, and maintenance
Education, compliance and awareness
Natural and sustainable product manufacturing
Draft-subject to change, November 2008
Generating and storing
renewable energy
Includes alternative energy
generated by, but not
limited to:
 Wind
 Solar
 Water
 Biofuels
 Biomass
 Hydrogen fuel cells
 Geothermal
Recycling existing materialsInvolved in the collection and processing of
recyclable materials…
Energy efficient
product manufacturing,
distribution, construction,
installation, and maintenanceSolar Panels
 Efficient Light Bulbs
 Vehicles
 Construction Companies
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Install
 Repair
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Education, compliance, and
awareness
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Training providers
Environmental
Consulting
Governmental/legislative
compliance
Conservation & wildlife
programs
Trading and offsets
Social assistance
Natural and sustainable
product manufacturing
Create products using
natural materials
 Nontoxic
 Bamboo
 From recycled
materials
 Practice sustainable
farming
“Green” Jobs
Top 10
Top 10 Green Careers
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Farmer
Forestry
Solar Power Installer
Energy Efficiency Builder
Wind Turbine Fabricator
Ecotourism
Planners
Information Technology
Sustainability Coordinators
Environment Refuse Processors
Farmer
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Average age 55
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Movement to grow
locally produced food
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Experts: 10s of millions
more farmers needed
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Skills needed:
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Marketing
Heirloom genetics
Forestry
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1.6 billion rely of
forests for livelihood
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Complex combination:
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International finance
Conservation
Development
Huge source of carbon
credits
Solar Power Installer
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U.S.: Expected to add
more than 110,000
jobs by 2016
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Short term training
yields $25-35 per hour
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Skills:
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Construction
Electrician
Energy Efficiency Builder
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European standards
are 75% and 95%
more efficient
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Engineers, architects
AND large workforce of
retrofitters
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Experts recommend
$89.9 billion investment
to create 827,260 jobs
Wind Turbine Fabricator
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300,000 new jobs
worldwide
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90% metal… providing
new jobs for welders,
autoworkers, and
manufacturers
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Stimulus will spur rapid
growth
Ecotourism
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Tourism is largest
sector of world
economy
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Ecotourism growing
3 times faster
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Sector needs
knowledgeable workers
committed to
sustainability
Planners
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Reducing “carbon
footprint”
Focused on wetlands
restoration, storm water
management,
transportation and urban
design
Private sector -planning
consultants can help
communities look at the
big picture
Information Technology
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Green companies need
people with computer
skills just like regular
companies
The web can be used
for outreach,
fundraising and political
awareness
Consider first working
for free to build
marketable skills
Sustainability Coordinators
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Environmental
management skills
sought
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Achieve buy in from
employees, students,
faculty etc.
Environment Refuse Processors
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Wealth of recyclable
materials fill landfills
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Methane recapture a
new energy resource
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Recycling can save up
to 75% percent on
energy costs
Local “Green” Employers
1.
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Farming - Lundberg Family Farms
Forestry - North Valley Tree Service
Solar Energy Installation – Chico Electric
Energy Efficient Builder – Modern Building Inc.
Wind Power – Evergreen Development
Conservation Biology – River Partners
Green Entrepreneur – Chico Bag
Recycling – Recycle Butte
Sustainability Coordinator – AASHE
Urban Planning – Thompson & Hendricks
“Green” Job Resources
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Butte College Job Placement & Cooperative
Education
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Chico News & Review “Green Guide”
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Green Career Central
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Green Jobs Guidebook
Green Education & Certification
Locally
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Butte College
Sustainability Certificate
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CSUC
Minor in Managing for
Sustainability
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UCD
Degree in Environmental
Science and more…
Association for the Advancement
of Sustainability in Higher Education
http://www.aashe.org/
Your Career Path
“Green Career Assessments”
Traditional
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Based on Career
Development Theory
New Approach
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Green Goals
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Green Functions
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Green Industries
Quick & Free One
www.cacareerzone.com
Newer Approach to
“Defining Your Green Career”
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Step 1: Choose your
Green Goal(s)
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Step 2: Ask, “What
interests you?”
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Step 3: What industry?
Examples
 Generate clean energy,
conserve water,
minimize waste
 Care for the earth,
design infrastructure,
motivate others to take
action
 Air quality, energy
storage, green building
“The LIST”
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Green Careers
Resource Guide
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http://cassio.com/
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Jobs, Industries,
Organizations, Job
Boards,
Events & Conferences
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Butte College
Sustainability
http://www.butte.edu/sus
tainability/
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Earth Day Network
http://ww2.earthday.net/
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Sustainability Resource
Center
Butte College
Sustainability Resource Center
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Resources
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Books
Publications
DVD’s/Movies
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LRC 141
530-879-6143
Email at
sustainability@butte.edu
Butte College Library
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Last Count
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530-879-4017
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http://www.butte.edu/library/
Over 150 books
Online Publications
Your Green Career Path
What next?
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www.butte.edu/careerservices