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Despite what a certain well-known amphibian named Kermit once declared, being green is quite simple—and very profitable, if you choose one of the many earth-friendly jobs that are dramatically changing today’s career landscape.

Does it seem like the whole world has suddenly discovered the planet we live on (you know, the third in line from the Sun; the blue and green marble with the fragile ozone layer) is the only one we get – and not just for us but for generations to come? Suddenly everyone from your best friend to your best friend’s mom has decided to ride their bicycle to school or work, has made a commitment to buying more locally grown fruits and vegetables, is shopping online for clothes made of organic fibers, and has started throwing their soda cans in an “aluminum only” recycling bin. Yes, not only are people thinking about and talking about the environment, they’re also doing something about it.

So have you ever thought maybe your good intentions could one day turn into a great career? Referring to one of their renewable energy programs, Dr. Phillip O. Barry, president of Mesalands Community College, notes, “This is a relatively new industry and employers are anxious to get well trained technicians . . . our wind energy technology program (for example) will help people get the training they need to enter the work force at a higher pay level than those who have to do on-the-job training, and employment is virtually guaranteed once the training is completed.”

Actually green careers take many forms and exciting new programs are available for nearly every interest and all educational levels, from certificate training through advanced degrees. For instance, waste water treatment plant operators typically must earn a one year certificate in water quality and wastewater treatment technology. Among the many tasks they fulfill to ensure our drinking water is safe and free of harmful pollutants and microorganisms is reading meters and testing water samples to gauge the effectiveness of the treatment systems, scheduling regular maintenance activities, keeping accurate records, and overseeing the disposal of waste materials. Median annual earnings of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators were $36,070 in 2006.

If you plan to attend a local two-year college and would like to combine an interest in green technology with a career field that has faster than average growth, consider construction management. Construction managers plan and oversee the building of all types of facilities and structures, from bridges and roads to offices, schools, and homes. When you factor in all that goes into a construction project, depending on its type and scope – including land clearing, installing sewage systems, laying foundations, setting up frameworks, and all finishing work – it’s easy to see why this is a career that demands attention to detail. This is especially true when it comes to the stricter regulations and restrictions that are being enforced nationwide for eco-concerns like energy efficiency, building waste run-off, land usage, and the overall environmental impact of construction projects. Median annual earnings of wage and salary construction managers in 2006 were $73,700.

At the four year college level, the very basics of environmental science are open to those who enter one of the many fields that focus on the study of chemistry. Chemicals, in fact, are what make up all that is natural or human made in the environment. For this reason, chemical research is applied to everything from medical advances to improvements on new product development. Chemists must always be aware of how their work impacts the world, especially those who specialize in environmental fields. For this reason, required college courses typically include government legislative procedures and practices. Median annual earnings of chemists in 2006 were $59,870.

Securing a high paying job in the intensely eco-sensitive field of agricultural science generally requires a master’s degree or Ph.D. Among the various research careers for agricultural specialists are agronomy, which is the study of plant productivity and its nutritional quality, and soil science, which is the study of soil types and how they respond to agricultural applications ranging from the use of fertilizers to crop rotation. One of the fastest growing fields for green scientists is the study of turning crops into energy sources and fuel substitutes. Earnings for agricultural scientists ranged from a median of $53,810
to a high of $97,350 in 2006.

So, whether your interests lie in the quiet sanctuary of a laboratory or outside surrounded by the beauty of nature, environmental careers are available for nearly every personality type and interest. To learn more, visit the many websites dedicated to green careers and talk to your guidance counselor about classes you’ll need to take. Afterward, why don’t you take a nice walk and enjoy the world you’ll be helping to preserve.

CALLOUT: Eco-info
Green cleaning services are using natural solutions like baking soda and vinegar and herbal deodorizers like boiled cinnamon and cloves.

CALLOUT: Eco-info
Only 2% of the earth’s water is fresh (as opposed to salty like in the ocean) and a mere 1% is available for daily human needs.

SIDEBAR: Out of the Ordinary Green Careers

A quick online search can reveal many unique job opportunities for the environmentally conscious. Here are few that were recently available:

• Home Energy Analyst – Utilizes principles of building science to assess air leakage, cooling systems, enclosure efficiency, and water heating units.
  
• Water Quality Research Technician – Assists with field and lab work in the analysis of surface and ground water quality and hydrology.
  
• Bird Survey Technician – Identifies birds by sight and sound and records information about their activities for research studies.
  
• Wildlife Research Supervisor – Oversees natural habitat studies of animals including waterfowl, furbearing, non-game, and endangered species.
  
• Herpetology Field Biologist – Collects and studies data about reptiles and amphibians in their natural environment.
  
• Stream Amphibian Technician – Gathers data on any type of cold blooded vertebrate in and around flowing water.
  
• Ant Ecologist – Studies the structure and dynamics of ant communities and how environmental stress impacts colonies.
  
• Urban Forester – Serves as an information resource for municipal arborists, tree professionals, and the general public.
  
• Wilderness Guide – Leads groups of people into remote areas and serves as both a teacher and a guardian.
  
• Seasonal Naturalist – Oversees seasonal programs that are research oriented or will provide the public with outdoor learning experiences.
  

SIDEBAR: Two -Year Colleges Go Green!
Community colleges are taking the lead in training tomorrow’s environmental workers and in serving as models for how institutions can be earth friendly. Here are a couple of notable examples:

Looking to the east, Harford Community College in Bel Air, Maryland started “going green” with a successful building renovation project. So much so, it was recognized with a Silver Certification through the LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System™. Harford’s winning design has reduced the energy consumption of the refurbished building by 30%. “The LEED certification and the college’s commitment to using green principles in all our building renovations are wonderful opportunities for our students and the community to learn, first-hand, principles of green design and environmental sustainability,” said Deborah Wrobel, dean of the STEM division.

Continuing with their mission of sustainability, HCC’s Honor Biology course uses the campus grounds and buildings to teach sustainable design. A visible example is the wind turbine mounted on a 50-foot tower installed near the campus science pond, providing power to run an aeration pump to help oxygenate the water. “From the wind turbine at the science pond, to the solar panels, to the green roofs, every project is a learning experience to be shared with others,” said Prof. Tami Imbierowicz. “My students in the Honors Biology class, not only get hands-on experience with these projects, they also see how green design makes a difference in the way we live.”

Now traveling to the west–way out west, Mesalands Community College, in Tucumcari, New Mexico has received state and Federal funds for a new Wind Energy Technology Program. A full-scale General Electric (GE) turbine was purchased and installed to serve as a training facility for Mesalands’ students. It has since been dubbed “The Tallest Classroom in the World.” According to New Mexico governor Bill Richardson, “Installing this new wind turbine at Mesalands is another step in building New Mexico into a clean energy state. This is a major investment into the North American Wind Research Training Center, and also into our next generation of renewable energy technicians.” The on-campus wind turbine at Mesalands will provide prospective student technicians with real-world, hands-on work experience in this exciting new industry that has projections of needed technicians numbering in the thousands over the next decade. Check with your local two-year college and see what programs they offer that can help you on your way to a career in green – which by the way, may also produce a lot of green for your personal future!

SIDEBAR: 7 Eco-Friendly Habits
Not everyone is interested in a career that is specifically focused on the environment but everyone can help make the world a better, cleaner, and more eco-efficient place. Here are a few tips you and your parents can easily put into daily practice:

1. During the holidays and for special events like birthdays, recycle wrapping paper and bows and order your gifts online to save gas.
   
2. Turn off lights around your house when you are not using them or when you leave a room.
   
3. Rather than turning down the temperature on your air conditioner on a hot day, close your shades and use fans.
   
4. Reuse canvas or plastic bags from the grocery, not only for shopping but to wrap up trash.
   
5. Never pour pesticides or other dangerous chemicals down a drain.
   
6. Donate usable clothes and house-hold items you no longer want to a charitable, non-profit thrift shop.
   
7. Walk or ride a bicycle rather than drive whenever possible – activities that are not only good for the environment but also good for you.

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