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Green Lighting Technician

A lighting technician works on the lighting designs and schemes in many different home, professional and creative settings. Making those lighting designs green can be a challenge, especially with some of the largest settings, but well worth the extra effort.

What skills, education or degrees do I need to get started?

A degree in lighting design is necessary in this career. Becoming a certified electrician is also necessary. In some areas you must be an apprentice to an electrician before earning your certification so that you can learn all of the necessary skills.

What is the potential scope of this career?

The customers for this type of career range from home owners who need lighting designs for remodels or additions to huge arenas, museums and other professional venues that want large scale lighting schemes. A very good green lighting technician may become famous and demanded nationwide. The better your reputation becomes, the more you will find yourself in demand.

What are the potential risks for this career?

There are some areas that are going to be less focused on lighting schemes and needs and more on trying to rebuild the local economy. If you are tied to an area for familial or other obligations you may not be able to actively pursue this career right away. You may also find yourself having to take simple jobs at first while you are building a reputation and a name for yourself.

Who is the competition?

You will be in competition with other lighting designers, interior designers and general contractors. In some cases the company with the best price will win the bid, and in other cases it will be the company that can provide the best and greenest service.

What do I need to get started?

After earning your degree, most people will choose to work in an established firm to gain valuable experience before beginning their own practice. If you choose to work with someone else at first, make sure that you take careful note of how they run the business, keeping in mind what works and what does not so that you can make the necessary adjustments when you open your own company. Also, make sure that you see what areas are lacking in green capabilities so you can make changes there as well.

Where is the best location for this type of career?

The best place to become a lighting designer of any kind is where there will be a lot of building or remodeling that would need lighting schemes designed. Areas that are being revitalized are also good locations for this type of career.

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