What are the Jobs Available in a Green Economy?
With all this talk of plentiful opportunities and benefits in the green economy, potential jobseekers all want to know the same thing: what jobs are available in a green economy? Well with a multitude of different sectors (thirty nine according to Brookings' Metropolitan Policy Program’s 2010 "Sizing the Clean Economy: a National and Regional Green Jobs Assessment"), there is no doubt that a small novel could be written about every single opportunity. But for the sake of the length and time, let's simplify and categorize all of the potential jobs.
Management, Human Resources, and Business
With previous experience in any of the above listed categories, you can find yourself a green job throughout the clean economic industry. Some jobs in management have broad titles such as project managers, which are needed throughout the industry from clean technology to agricultural and natural resource conservation. Another example of such jobs are sales managers or sales directors. Green industry companies are always in need of people with experience and expertise in promoting their products or services. Does your forte lie in the field of numbers, data, and statistics? Well, auditors and analysts are needed across the board to calculate and regulate different sets of information. For example, energy auditors regulate the energy and waste output of specific facilities.
Engineering, Design, and Architecture
These professions are most likely the most well-known of the green industry and economy. Basically any form or type of engineer can be employed in the clean economy. For example, civil engineers are needed to rebuild infrastructure (bridges, roads, etc.) to fit new sustainability requirements. Alternatively, software and electrical engineers are needed to program the smart grid for technology. Also needed throughout the industry are various designers. From landscape to interior, these designers need to not only make facilities sustainable and environmentally friendly but appealing as well. Lastly, architects need to make unique designs for numerous green buildings that implement the latest sustainable knowledge in green building.
Construction, Manufacturing, and Technicians
Throughout the industry, manufacturing of clean technology machinery and parts need to be built and shipped. As a matter of fact, 26% of the jobs in a green economy are manufacturing jobs. Workers build several things that differ from solar panels to wind turbine pieces. Also, construction of sustainable designed structures and facilities is a widely distributed occupation in the green industry. Lastly, technicians are needed to design and install various energy efficient products, such as solar panels.
Specialists
Like any scientific field, the clean economy needs a variety of different specialists to conduct research and create innovations in technology. These jobs range from a multitude of different topics, solar cell and biofuel being just the beginning of them all. If you're a specialist, you will be an incredibly valuable asset to the green economy.
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