GREEN CAREERS Butte College Career Services April 2009

Debbie Bachman Vern Massengale 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: 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 materials- Involved in the collection and processing of recyclable materials…

Energy efficient product manufacturing, distribution, construction, installation, and maintenance- Solar Panels Efficient Light Bulbs Vehicles Construction Companies Install Repair

Education, compliance, and awareness 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 Farmer Forestry Solar Power Installer Energy Efficiency Builder Wind Turbine Fabricator Ecotourism Planners Information Technology Sustainability Coordinators Environment Refuse Processors

Farmer Average age 55 Movement to grow locally produced food Experts: 10s of millions more farmers needed Skills needed: Marketing Heirloom genetics

Forestry 1.6 billion rely of forests for livelihood Complex combination: International finance Conservation Development Huge source of carbon credits

Solar Power Installer U.S.: Expected to add more than 110,000 jobs by 2016 Short term training yields $25-35 per hour Skills: Construction Electrician

Energy Efficiency Builder European standards are 75% and 95% more efficient Engineers, architects AND large workforce of retrofitters Experts recommend $89.9 billion investment to create 827,260 jobs

Wind Turbine Fabricator 300,000 new jobs worldwide 90% metal… providing new jobs for welders, autoworkers, and manufacturers Stimulus will spur rapid growth

Ecotourism Tourism is largest sector of world economy Ecotourism growing 3 times faster Sector needs knowledgeable workers committed to sustainability

Planners 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 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 Environmental management skills sought Achieve buy in from employees, students, faculty etc.

Environment Refuse Processors Wealth of recyclable materials fill landfills Methane recapture a new energy resource Recycling can save up to 75% percent on energy costs

Local “Green” Employers 1. Farming - Lundberg Family FarmsLundberg Family Farms 2. Forestry - North Valley Tree ServiceNorth Valley Tree Service 3. Solar Energy Installation – Chico ElectricChico Electric 4. Energy Efficient Builder – Modern Building Inc.Modern Building Inc. 5. Wind Power – Evergreen DevelopmentEvergreen Development 6. Conservation Biology – River PartnersRiver Partners 7. Green Entrepreneur – Chico BagChico Bag 8. Recycling – Recycle ButteRecycle Butte 9. Sustainability Coordinator – AASHEAASHE 10. Urban Planning – Thompson & HendricksThompson & Hendricks

“Green” Job Resources Butte College Job Placement & Cooperative Education Butte College Job Placement & Cooperative Education Chico News & Review “Green Guide” Green Career Central Green Jobs Guidebook

Green Education & Certification Locally Butte CollegeSustainability Certificate CSUCMinor in Managing for Sustainability UCDDegree in Environmental Science and more…

Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education

Your Career Path “Green Career Assessments” Traditional Based on Career Development Theory Quick & Free One New Approach Green Goals Green Functions Green Industries

Newer Approach to “Defining Your Green Career” Step 1: Choose your Green Goal(s) Step 2: Ask,“What interests you?” 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” Green Careers Resource Guide Jobs, Industries, Organizations, Job Boards,

Events & Conferences Butte College Sustainability tainability/ Earth Day Network Sustainability Resource Center

Butte College Sustainability Resource Center Resources Books Publications DVD’s/Movies LRC at

Butte College Library Last Count Over 150 books Online Publications

Your Green Career Path What next? Self-Exploration Career Counseling Career Plan Education & Training Internships & Experience Job Search