Join us on Tuesday, March 23, when author and green career expert Carol McClelland comes to Green Economy Post to answer your green career questions.    She will be available all day to answer your questions and to help you figure out how to advance your green career.

Carol is the author of Green Careers For Dummies and the founder and executive director of Green Career Central.   Green Career Central is designed to provide career guidance, coaching, and resources to clarify the ever-evolving world of green career possibilities for professionals, students, and career counselors.

About Green Careers for Dummies

Whether you’re a recent or looking to make a career change, Green Careers For Dummies is designed to be a resource for finding your fit in an environmentally responsible job for both those looking to make a career change and recent college graduates. The book is also designed to assist career counselors by providing them with a comprehensive overview of the green career sectors that they refer to in their work with students and clients.

Carol McClelland Phd, Author of the Green Careers For Dummies

• What it takes to thrive in a green economy
• Advice on whether a green career is right for you
• Ways to green your current job
• Guidance on greening up your resume
• Advice for interviews
• Green job search 2.0 techniques
• Green career resources
• Definitions of industry-specific terminology
• Strategies on how to target the right eco-friendly companies and find openings for your talents
• Tips on recognizing industry opportunities and threats
• Information on emerging green jobs that will be created in the next five years and beyond
• The huge variety of job titles in the more than 50 industries that make up the green economy

In addition to Green Careers For Dummies and  Green Career CentralCarol has a number of useful free resources for green job seekers, see two of them below:

UNCOVERING YOUR GREEN NICHE – One of the most important skills you can have as a green career seeker is being able to articulate your green career niche. This free ebook shares the secrets of finding your green niche.

SIX STRATEGIES TO FIND YOUR GREEN CAREER – This free ebook is a step-by-step process helping green career seekers use their passions, interests, experience, and training to plug into the green economy.

Don’t forget to drop by on Tuesday, March 23, to submit your green career questions to Carol.

The Sustainability Professional: 2010 Competency Survey Report provides insights into what sustainability professionals see as important skills needed and what are their most critical challenges.

by Tracey de Morsella, Green Economy Post

Late last week, the International Society of Sustainability Professionals (ISSP) published The Sustainability Professional: 2010 Competency Survey Report. The study, conducted over a 9 month period, sought to answer the question, “What should a sustainability professional know how to do?” A survey tool was administered to nearly 400 sustainability professionals working in the field. This report summarizes the competencies identified as being most critical to the successful performance of professionals working in the field of sustainability.

With so many looking to break into the sustainability, many interested will likely be able to use the study to gain a clearer understanding of what sustainability professionals are called upon to know and do. It could also prove to be a useful resource for those working in sustainability training and education, as well as employers seeking to define sustainability job descriptions.

Check out Considering a Career in CR or Sustainability?

Check out Survey Says Green Professionals are Well Paid, Happy and Have Job Security

The Respondent Profile

Most of the respondents work in North America (79%), with 53 % being male. This group is highly educated with 93% having at least a bachelor’s degree, 60% having a master’s degree, 10% having doctorates and 19% having completed a sustainability certificate. This includes 20% that are currently pursuing some sort of training.

The majority (63%) has three or more years of paid work experience in the field, and 27% have 10 or more years. Consultant make up 36% of the group and 56% work in organizations with fewer than 100 employees. Compensation for 47% of U.S. residents was between $50,000 and $99,999 per year.

What are The Most Important Challenges That Sustainability Professionals Face?

The top two most important issue facing their organizations (or their clients’ organizations) were: 1) promoting an understanding of the value of sustainability (34%), and 2) dealing with climate change and related energy needs (29%).

Gaining the support of management and customers, proving fiscal viability and attracting funding were most often cited as the other very important issues they faced. Also included at the top of the list of competencies needed were change management—dealing with changing business priorities, overcoming resistance to change, redesigning products and services to be more sustainable, and ensuring environmental compliance. Social responsibility performances tended to be less important than environmental concerns.

North American Sustainability Professionals Stress Different Important Core Competencies than Their Counterparts

The study revealed that North American sustainability professionals are more focused on establishing and managing priorities and facilitating or training groups as compared to their non-North American counterparts. North Americans also cite vendor management and financial analysis -specifically ROI (47%), and systems thinking (59%) were more important as more important. Those outside North America were more concerned than North Americans with policy expertise and risk assessment.

Organization Size Impacted Important Core Competencies Cited

Larger organizations seem to value internal communication skills mores as they see it as a stumbling block for implementing sustainability programs. Whereas, smaller organizations are more concerned with external stakeholders and influencing change outside the organization. Sustainability accounting and reporting was cited as extremely important no matter what the size of the organization.

The Impact of Organization Structure on Needed Competencies

The need to develop the business case for sustainability was considered more critical by smaller organizations. Consultants were more concerned with developing business cases and getting buy-in from top management, and benchmarking. Funding for individual initiatives was somewhat more important to consultants and those in government, education and nonprofits than to those in manufacturing/services Those working in non-consulting organizations tended to be more concerned than consultants with educating customers and with staying current with scientific findings.

Innovation is also seen as much more important to consultants and those in manufacturing as not-for-profits (including government and education.) Those working in manufacturing/ services were more likely than those in other industries to think designing or redesigning product and service offerings is very important. Financial analysis/ROI, auditing (GHG, sustainability) and risk assessment were cited as very important by all types of organizations.

A Look at the Soft Skills Needed

Respondents cited soft skills as much more important than hard skills. Respondents said “soft” skills will continue to be needed in the future because they are necessary for bringing about transformational change. The soft skills most often cited as needed for success as a sustainability professional are communication skills (written & verbal). The most critical soft skills for sustainability professionals surveyed include communication with internal and external stakeholders, problem solving and inspiring and motivating others.

Non-consultants felt more strongly than consultants about the importance of networking and
influencing change. Several skills were cited as most important to those in government, education and non-profits: those included flexibility or adaptability, inspiring and motivating others communication with internal stakeholders, and consensus building.

Change Management is a Key Theme

Sustainability professionals across all organization sizes and types cited change management is important. As a result, “soft” skills such as communication, facilitation, consensus building and networking are deemed of especially high value by the group as a whole. Demonstrating financial viability and return on investment are considered by respondents to be important enablers of change.

A Look at the Hard Skills Needed

Other skills were mentioned less often by the group as a whole. Respondents said most hard skills will continue to be needed in the future because they are necessary for enabling a strategic approach, competing in a business climate, are fundamental to change, and/or allow performance tracking. The most important hard skills cited were strategic planning, project management and systems thinking. Scientific expertise and sustainability accounting/ reporting tended to be more important to larger organizations than to smaller ones.

Required Technical Skills are More Industry Specific

With the exception of planning and project management, many hard skills needed seem to vary in importance by industry. The one exception to this rule is in the area of greenhouse gas auditing and action planning. The survey results indicate that organizations in all sectors will need help in managing, mitigating and monitoring greenhouse gases.

A Look Down The Road

Looking ahead five years, researchers found that soft skills are considered important for change and transformation purposes, whether applied inside the organization or in dealings with suppliers and partners. Promoting understanding was expected to decrease in importance in five years, while climate and energy issues were expected to increase in importance in five years.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) jobs appear to have been another casualty of the global economic recession. But, the good news is that, like other economic indicators, this one appears to be on the upswing.

by Tracey de Morsella, Green Economy Post

Sustainability Recruiting’s recently releasedCSR Jobs Report shows CSR job postings dropping 68% between Q3 ’08 to Q3 ‘09. The worst of the decline (61%), mirrored the drop in the stock market and occurred between Q3 and Q4 of 2008. CSR job listings declined even further through Q1 ’09, leveling off through most of the year at a low point not seen since mid-2006. Surprisingly, the picture is not all gloom. Q4 ‘09 saw a noticeable 33% up-tick in listings, although it remains to be seen whether this will continue in 2010.

Drawing on Business for Social Responsibility’s (BSR’s) CSR Jobs Page, the industry’s primary resource for non-administrative CSR job postings, the report examines 819 CSR jobs that were posted in the period 2004 – 2009 and identifies several key trends.

CSR gains credibility in corporate sector

Among the most notable findings is the increase in senior-level corporate positions—those with VP and Director titles. Before 2006, none of the job postings had a title of VP or above. According to Ellen Weinreb, SOM 98 and CEO of Sustainability Recruiting, cites the increased value being placed on CSR as a component of corporate strategy as one of the key factors influencing this trend of elevating the importance of positions performing this role.

“The emergence of the VP of CSR and VP of Sustainability titles seems proof of the growing strategic business position of CSR,” said Dave Stangis, Vice President of CSR and Sustainability at Campbell’s Soup.

Optimistic Outlook for Smart Jobseekers

According to Weinreb, there is enormous demand for CSR jobs from jobseekers.

“The catch-22 is that employers require candidates for these positions to have previous experience,” said Weinreb.

“Understanding the inner-workings of the business is critical to success,” says Liz Maw, Executive Director of Net Impact, an international nonprofit organization of professionals and students who are leveraging business to improve the world.

“Jobseekers must “demonstrate experience in driving change. That really is the key success factor,” recommends Stangis.

“More and more employers are broadening the definition of CSR to include not only corporate citizenship, but also a focus on energy and environmental management issues,” said Katie Kross, author of Profession and Purpose: A Resource Guide for MBA Careers in Sustainability.   “I also see employers posting job openings in traditional roles like operations and marketing that include some CSR responsibilities,” she added.

“We encourage jobseekers not to discount a traditional role. They can build relevant experience through our Impact at Work program, which helps them lead change initiatives, regardless of their title,” added Maw.

If you can’t get that internal CSR corporate job you are seeking  Weinreb  offers the following strategies:
• Take a tangentially-related job in another corporate function
• Look for jobs that include some aspect of CSR, even it they don’t have “CSR” in the title
• Develop in-house experience as a change agent building support across teams
• Try looking in the service or independent category

Download the CSR Jobs Report.

View Jobs on Business for Social Responsibility’s (BSR’s) CSR Jobs Page

View CSR Jobs at Sustainability Recruiting

For more resources for finding CSR jobs, visit Sustainability Recruiting’s CSR and Sustainability Job Listing Sites Page.

While women are more eco aware than men, they are are underrepresented  in green jobs.  This includes jobs created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  However, there are a growing number of programs that are designed to address these inequities.

by Claire Morgenstern, Content and Communications Manager, The Conservation Law Foundation

A report by the U.N. recently released  found that women eat more vegetables, use less fuel for travel, and are more likely to buy eco-friendly products than men. Yet in the biofuel and energy sectors, women comprise only 18.7 and 7.6 percent, respectively, of the total workforce in those industries. Moreover, the numbers for minority women were even lower—only 4 percent of green jobs are held by African-American or Latino women, according to a study by the Women of Color Policy Network.

What gives?

“What we’re seeing now is result of historic labor segmentation where women are underrepresented in fields considered green—bioengineering, construction et cetera—for a long time,” said C. Nicole Mason, Executive Director of the Women of Color Policy Network. “When we look at administrative efforts to create jobs and who those jobs go to, women are left out of those fields.”

In other words, most of the green jobs available—positions in the bio fuels, green building, energy, and transportation industries—require employees from fields that are male-dominated, from agriculture and forestry to electrical engineers and metal workers.

That includes those created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which has allotted $200 billion for programs related to the creation of green jobs, according to the Green Equity Toolkit, a report recently issued by the Applied Research Center. The Toolkit provides a blueprint for the steps communities should take to ensure gender and race equality in the creation of their local green-collar workforce.

So why can’t more women get into these fields? It’s not that simple. When those green jobs become available, it’s employees already working in those fields, who are mostly male, who will find out about those positions and apply for them, and who already have the training to fulfill the duties of the job.

Read our post: The Green Economy – An Opportunity for Women to Excel

As a result, women, particularly single women and their families, the group hardest hit by the recession, are not competitive applicants for these positions. In addition, women tend to have a different set of needs than men do to make an employment opportunity a viable option for them—for example, the availability of childcare of the accessibility of the job site via public transportation—even if green job training is available.

“On the local level, women don’t have institutional support to go through green job training,” said Yvonne Yen Liu, Senior Research Associate at the Applied Research Center and co-author of the Green Equity Toolkit. “What the toolkit does is to encourage communities to identify participation goals—the types of people they want to reach through creating green jobs.

For example, a lot of money is available to create green jobs as a ‘path out of poverty,’ but if you don’t offer something basic like childcare, women can’t participate. Single women-headed households have been the hardest hit by the recession. Women of color, women receiving food stamps or cash assistance—those types of participation goals help insure that more women are included.”

Both Liu and Mason advocated for long-term federal policy changes that would both decrease the legal levels of pollution in cities, creating the need for more green jobs, and create pathways for women to be included in the expansion of the green economy. However, in the meantime, independent organizations in communities around the country are pioneering green initiatives to create more opportunities for women to procure green jobs and/or green jobs training.

In Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Apollo Alliance and Strategic Concepts in Organizing and Policy Education (SCOPE) worked together to pass an ordinance to establish the Green Retrofit and Workforce Program last April, which includes the establishment of the Green Career Ladder Training Program to train 2,000 public and private-sector green-collar workers in green building construction and maintenance. In New York, community organization Sustainable South Bronx runs the BEST Academy to train Bronx residents for green-collar careers and put them to work on green infrastructure projects throughout the borough. Non-profit Green For All runs a program called Green Pathways out of Poverty, in which representatives work with communities throughout the country to develop programs to prepare the local available work force for green-collar careers; it also runs Retrofit America’s Cities, which helps communities develop energy retrofitting projects and train local community members to work on those projects.

All of these programs have been developed to help groups that have been left out of the mainstream green job market, particularly women, people of color, and low-income communities.

“Ideally, in ten years we’d have a thriving green economy that takes care of women and workers everywhere, that thinks of building based on community needs rather than desire to make profit, and that reduces impact on planet and creates communities that are thriving,” Liu said.

LCA Sustainable Supply Chain USA (‘Measuring and Addressing Environmental & Social Impacts Throughout the Entire Life Cycle and Supply Chain’) is the 7th event in the International Carbon Footprinting conference series. The previous summits have been hugely successful with over 900 delegates attending from major brands and international retailers. This event will address the latest sustainability and corporate social responsibility topics, featuring more than two dozen speakers from leading business firms.

Date: April 28-29, 2010

Location: Marriott Chicago Midway, Chicago, IL

Web Address: www.lca-sustainable-supply-chain-usa.com

Contact Information: (Tel) 1-800-721-3915, (Fax) 1-800-714-1359

Email: info@american-business-conferences.com

Exhibition and Sponsorship Inquiries: Jane Thomas (Tel) 1-800-721-3915, (E-mail) jane@american-business-conferences.com

The purpose of the LCA Sustainable Supply Chain USA summit is to give companies strategies from the pioneers in the field, which they can take away to measure, prioritize and reduce their social and environmental impacts in the most effective manner. It will also provide insights on creating more transparency in reporting and how companies can capitalize on trends in the future.

This two day summit offers a diverse, yet focused perspective for companies involved in the consumer goods industry. Apart from the plenary sessions offering fresh perspectives to all companies, break-out sessions will specifically focus on the food and drink companies, and consumer products companies (including electronics).

Some of the key learning benefits of the event include: practical examples and case studies on how to address specific areas of the life cycle and supply chain, insights from companies doing life cycle assessments of their products, identifying opportunities for mutual cooperation with suppliers, applying the latest standards for business decision-making, discovering how to capitalize on future policy and economic trends, and learning how to communicate the complicated sustainability message to key stakeholders.

The event will feature several industry experts representing some of the leading business firms. Speakers include Coleman Bigelow – Product Director for Sustainable Brand Marketing, Johnson & Johnson; Sherilyn Broderson – Ethical Sourcing Manager, Cadbury USA; Jay Celorie – Global Program Manager for Supply Chain Energy, Hewlett-Packard; William P. Flanagan – Ecoassessment Leader, General Electric Company; and Chrystina Gastelum – Manager Supply Chain Program, Carbon Disclosure Project. The complete speaker list can be found here.

Conference attendees will include senior decision makers from the Retail, Consumer Products, Electronics, and Food and Drink industry sectors as well as representatives from environmental consulting firms and national government organizations. Senior managers in the areas of corporate social responsibility, environmental/sustainability affairs, health and safety, research and development, and procurement should especially consider attending.

Registration for the LCA Sustainable Supply Chain USA 2010 summit can be done online by clicking here.

Green Economy Post is a media partner of the LCA Sustainable Supply Chain USA 2010 summit.

Many people would love to obtain a green MBA, but are put off by the high costs.  This is the second in a series of post that explain how to get financial aid  for attending a green MBA program. This post tells readers where to look for scholarships, fellowships, and other types of financial aid, as well as how to create a strategy that will dramatically increase their chances of success at winning not just one source of financial aid, but multiple sources.  The first post, I Want a Green MBA, But How Do I Pay for It?, includes information on how to start cutting costs before you attend; how to get organized for the coming onslaught of admissions and financial aid activity; and  working with financial aid offices at the schools you are thinking about attending.

by Tracey de Morsella, Green Economy Post

An increasing number of business professionals who are seriously considering getting a green MBA to green their credentials, often dismiss it as a viable career alternative because the exorbitant costs involved.  In these tumultuous times, with banks not doing so well on the credibility front, some are afraid to take on thousands of dollars worth of loans with interest rates that often are not so favorable.  Surprisingly, the option of getting scholarships, fellowships or some other type of aid that is does not require the money be paid back, is often dismissed because most people do not think the aid is available.  The truth is, the money is out there, but you have to know where to look, how to get organized and how to create a comprehensive approach to getting it.

If you are going to be successful of at identifying, applying for, and winning the money you need to obtain your green MBA, you need rid yourself of any erroneous perceptions you might have about financial aid.  You also need to get organized, know where to look, and create a financial aid application plan.

Most people have the false believe that there is very little financial aid available for people to seeking any type of MBA, much less for those working to obtain a green MBA.  What they do not realize is that there are a variety of types of aid that is available to help them finance their green MBA.

Let’s Take a Look at Some Other Types of Financial Aid That are Available to People Pursuing a Green MBA

In-School Scholarships. Business schools with green MBA programs sometimes have a specific number of scholarships they mark as full tuition. They often received them from donors who have very specific requirements as to whom those scholarships should be granted. There are also schools that offer partial scholarships that vary anywhere from half-tuition to one-quarter tuition. A number of business schools with green MBA programs offer need-based and/or merit-based scholarships or fellowships. Merit scholarships are typically awarded on the basis of academic merit along with special interests. While rewarding talent to the primary objective, some merit scholarships also consider financial need.

Here are a few examples. Marlboro College has the Harold Grinspoon Scholarship, which is awarded to an MBA program student who has best demonstrated his or her potential as a leader in for-profit entrepreneurship prior to joining the MBA program, and has a demonstrated need for financial assistance for program costs.  University of Michigan offers the Renewable Energy Scholars Award, which is a merit-based grant for Erb Institute MBA/MS students who are interested in (a) pursuing a business idea in the field of renewable energy, energy efficiency, or carbon mitigation; or, (b) writing an essay suitable for broad publication that addresses any aspect of renewable energy, energy efficiency and carbon mitigation including but not limited to energy policy, energy security, technology innovation, water issues in the energy sector, agriculture and energy interface, etc.

Fellowships. You should also look into fellowships,which sometimes requires a student to give back something in return for receiving scholarship money. They are usually intended to help support students do research or work on a project in their chosen field.   For example, some green MBA graduates from Cornell University received the Park Leadership Fellows Program which pays tuition and a $5,000 stipend. As part of the fellowship obligation, each Park Leadership Fellow makes a significant public service contribution to the Johnson School, the university, or the surrounding community. The projects are structured to focus on service improvements and program enhancements either for-profit start-ups that stimulate economic development or non-profit organizations. Cornell also has a loan forgiveness program for MBA alumni who are engaged in a viable entrepreneurial endeavor.

Paid Internships – Many people overlook the paid internship as a source for financing in part, their green MBA.  Some schools, like Argosy University,  University of Pennsylvania, Yale University and University of Michigan incorporate paid summer internships into their green MBA program.  Students often make anywhere from $5- to $30- or $40,000 in that internship.

Assistantships – An assistantship is similar to a scholarship. The difference is that, when you are awarded an assistantship, you are required to work for the assistantship provider, while when you are awarded a scholarship, you get the money for free.   In most cases, the provider of the assistantship is the department in which you enroll. Through this path, you can receive discounted tuition, which can have a huge impact on your financial situation. Talk to key contacts in the sustainability or related department to find out if assistantships are offered and what the application process entails. You should apply for assistantships when you send in your application for admission to that School. A good example of an MBA assistantship program is the graduate assistantship program at  the Portland State University School of Business Administration for student applicants to the full-time MBA program. They  makes these offers available at the time of admission based on academic qualifications. Graduate Assistants receive 9 or 12 hours tuition remission fall, winter and spring as well as a monthly stipend.  Another example is The Erb Institute for Global Sustainability at the University of Michigan.  They periodically fund graduate student research assistant or graduate student instructor positions in response to faculty requests for assistance.

Contest Scholarships – Another way you can obtain money to attend a green MBA program is by entering contests.  Many companies, non-profits and other types of groups hold contests that provide cash rewards to student winners.

Some Online Green MBA Programs Offer Scholarships
Many professionals are increasingly considering online programs as a serious continuing education option.   There are a number of distance learning programs for getting a green MBA. People often are deterred from exploring these options because they think that there is no financial aid available.  This is changing.  A number of online university programs have begun to offer scholarships.  They are usually based on academic achievement or potential success.   While some online programs offer all-inclusive scholarships which cover the full cost of tuition, books, fees, and basic living expenses, the vast majority of their scholarship offerings are meant to be supplemental.   Walden University offers the $2,500 Commitment to Social Change Scholarship for students in their MBA program.  Marylhurst University also offers scholarships for participants of their green MBA programs.  Also, if your distance learning green MBA program is part of a physical university, you may be eligible to apply to the scholarships of that affiliated university.

Where to Find Financial Aid for Your Green MBA
While there are admittedly fewer avenues to turn to for aid, the money is out there.  That makes it all the more important to know where to look.

University Financial Aid Departments – One of the best ways to find financial aid for your green MBA is to connect with the financial aid departments of the schools that have accepted you.  Most universities have scholarship, fellowship and grant advisors that have a wealth of information regarding fellowships offered by the university, as well as outside opportunities.  These people can offer application strategy tips, mock interviews, writing workshops, and connections with past fellowship winners. Financial aid offices also know where the money is, so it is important to connect with them as well.    Some schools even have special financial aid offices set up specifically for their mba programs.  Many, like Portland State Uuniversity, provide lists of scholarships that are available to their MBA students on the school’s web site.

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FEATURED GREEN MBA PROGRAM

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Free Scholarship Search Web Sites – Another very effective way to identify financial aid opportunities for your green MBA, is to search for them using free scholarship search sites.

They provide information on hundreds of thousands of sources for financial aid.  Two good examples are:

ScholarshipExperts.com – The ScholarshipExperts.com database is for US and international students planning to study in the U.S.  The free service provides a customized list of scholarships that match your hobbies, interests and academic background.

FastWeb -FastWeb is a free scholarship database that contains over 600,000 scholarships.  This database is particularly thorough about listing small local awards, which often are less competitive.

Scholarship and Fellowship Directories - Scholarship and fellowship directories  can also be excellent tools for finding  aid.  You can buy them, or access them in area university career centers, and local public and university library reference sections.

When researching scholarships and other awards, many times the information collected by third-party sources, like directories and databases is dated with inaccurate criteria and deadline information. Despite that, these resources are still incredibly valuable as they are useful in identifying hard-to-find financial aid opportunities.  You will get the most from these resources if you use them to identify scholarship opportunities and then contact the sponsoring organizations to obtain accurate information about each award that you are investigating.

If you really want to cut your green MBA costs down, it is crucial that you not rely on only a few sources for finding financial aid.  Consider use any and even all of the following additional resources:

1. Green MBA program admissions contacts. Key contacts in the departments in your area of focus (E.g., sustainability, cleantech, organic agriculture, social responsibility, etc.)to identify fellowships and assistantships.

2. Contacts within university research institutes specifically focused on sustainability, cleantech, the environments and other green specialty areas at the schools you are targeting.

3. Google and other search engines – Use general MBA search terms, as well as key words  and related to your interests and skills sets to identify the right key words and key words phrases

4. Foundations, religious or community organizations, local businesses, or civic groups

5. Green  professional associations

6. Your employer

7. Look at what sustainable consulting firms, companies with high profile public sustainability programs, and oil companies with alternative oil divisions might be offering.

8. Ask the librarian at your local university or city library for fellowship listings. Most institutions granting fellowships send formal notices or update library databases frequently, so a library can be a great resource for up-to-date information on fellowship opportunities.

Get On The Path To Winning Financial Aid for Your Green MBA by Being Prepared, Informed and Organized

Being organized is critical, because you can never miss a deadline and award sponsors tend to be exacting when it comes to having their instructions followed correctly.    By anticipating and preparing for the type of information that will be required, you will save time and be more likely to submit a more competitive application that could ultimately lead you to winning more scholarships, fellowships and other types of awards for your green MBA.   The following tips will help you get on the right path.

1. Every scholarship or fellowship has its own application form. However, selection committees generally ask for two or more letters of recommendation; a personal statement; and a transcript and extracurricular record.   Some more competitive programs also require an interview project and a proposal or plan of study.  Knowing this, you can have much of the materials ready and prepare for events that you know are coming down the pike.

2. A great way to stay organized is to keep a financial aid file folder for each school, as well as each scholarship, award, fellowship, and other types of aid that you are applying for.    You may want to put the deadlines on the title tags next to the names as a way back up to keep you alerted to important dates.

3. Closely monitor the deadlines to ensure that you meet each one. Deadlines occur throughout the year.  While most are due between January and March, some are due as early as late December.  You can keep track of the deadlines by creating a chart or calendar that contains the following. scholarship name; address, phone number and/or email; Key contact(s); date application must be received by scholarship committee; date you requested/ or downloaded the application; date you received the application; date application with above package was mailed; and the date you contacted the scholarship organization to verify they received your application package.

4. If you use Microsoft Outlook or some other type of calendar software, you might want to note the deadlines in your calendar and set it up so that you are notified of pending deadlines at least four weeks in advance.  You can also use this to keep track of appointments and meetings you might have with scholarship sponsors.

5. Identify who you will be using for recommendations ahead of time and make sure they are on board.

6. If an application consists of several loose pages, label and number each page,  use a paper clip to keep them together and in order, assign each aid program its own folder.  This will prevent you from submitting an incomplete application.

7. Things will go smoother if you anticipate the requirements and needs of most of the scholarships you will be applying for ahead of time and then go about having those materials prepared and ready to submit to the various scholarship committees.

8. While an increasing number of scholarship programs accept scholarship applications via the Internet. Many still require that the application be mailed in.  If the your deadline is based on the date the application is received, and not the date it is postmarked, you should work to get your application in mail at least two weeks ahead of the deadline as some mail takes seven days to get its destination in some parts of the country.

9. To be notified when your applications has been received, send the application by certified mail, return receipt requested, and slip it into the award’s file folder in case your application submission date is called into question.

10. Scholarship sponsors never provide extensions on deadlines for submissions, no matter what the reason, so it is important to never miss the deadlines of your targeted scholarships.

For more on getting organized for your green MBA financial aid search, check out my post, I Want a Green MBA, But How Do I Pay for It? -  It includes information on calculating the costs to attend; how to start cutting costs before you attend; how to get organized for the coming onslaught of admissions and financial aid activity; filling out the appropriate financial aid forms; and working with financial aid offices at the schools you are thinking about attending,

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FEATURED GREEN MBA PROGRAM

Marylhurst University Online MBA in Sustainable Business – concentration in Renewable Energy sheds light on the environmental regulations and policy that impact business decisions, management, and the bottom line. Build a strategy for operational management as you learn to research and implement a plan that accounts for energy use, supply chain management, production, inventory and Total Quality Management (TQM). Click here, for more information about the Marylhurst University Online MBA in Sustainable Business – Renewable Energy..

Tactics Designed To Help You Obtain the Most Financial Aid

1. Widen Your Search to Include a Wide Variety of Types of Awards. Unfortunately, with regard to green MBA’s there are not yet many scholarships offered by outside organizations.  I think that will change.  However there are a few.  A good example is the Sustainable MBA Fund.     The Sustainable MBA Fund is an educational fund designed to benefit individual students who are positioned to have a considerable positive impact on the further integration of socially responsible business practices, and in particular dealing with the environment and people.

2. Do not limit your search to just awards for green MBAs. When seeking out scholarships are other types of awards, do not limit your search to just awards for Green MBA.  You might consider applying for scholarships like the Education-Portal.com’s Business Administration Degrees Graduate Level Academic Award, which provides funds to all types of MBA students.

3. You should also search for aid that is not even just for MBAs, but include those that are more generic. Look for awards for graduate students of all types.  Also widen your search to include scholarships and other types of awards like those targeting social entrepreneurship, conservation, social responsibility.  You should also consider essay contests and one-off scholarship awards that are not targeting MBAs, but general education.  There are also awards for almost every special interest you can imagine including the obvious like academic performance of course, and the not so obvious like alumni affiliation, club memberships, employers, where you live, career specialties, professional associations, religious affiliation, social groups, sororities, local businesses, fraternities, service organizations, special talents,  special interests.   These types of aid usually do not have to be paid back, but do often have GPA and community service requirements.

4. Research the fellowships for which you are applying well in advance of sending your application.

5. Go after local scholarships. You can increase your odds of winning by applying for less competitive scholarships, such as local awards. But don’t neglect the more competitive awards, since these also tend to be more lucrative.

6. Tailor your application to the criteria of the specific scholarship. Most scholarship sponsors have a set of criteria they use to select the winners from among the qualified applicants. A major key to winning MBA scholarships is to identify the sponsor’s criteria and tailor your application to those criteria.

7. Apply early. Don’t wait to be accepted to a school to inquire about aid.  Often the money is available on the first come, first served basis.  So, get your application forms in as soon as possible. They also tend to be reviewed as they arrive.  If your application is sent in early,  it is likely to receive more consideration early in the process when there are fewer applications to review.  Most people send their applications close to the deadline, so if your application is among those applications, it will most likely get less attention.

8. Apply for as many scholarships and other types of awards the you meet the criteria of as possible. Do not rely on winning one award to significantly reduce or even eliminate the costs association with obtain your green MBA.  You will be most successful if your strategy is to obtain financial aid from multiple sources.  Do not over look or discount the value of the small awards. Several small awards can add up to a significant amount of aid. Apply for as many scholarships as you find you are qualified for to increase your chances of winning and so you end up with several awards knocking down and maybe even eliminating the amount your need to come up with funds for your education.

9. Never pay to apply for scholarships. In most instances, these are likely scams .  At best, these “scholarships” are simply having the student pay for the awards, by recirculation the fees to the students; in the worst instances, no money is ever awarded to students.  For more information on how to avoid applying for scholarships scam, read my post, How to Avoid Scholarship Scams. It provides a list of the signs to be on the alert for to avoid a scholarship scam and resources for additional information.

10. Be on be on the look out for academic scholarships from second and third tier schools. Many second and third tier schools use academic scholarships to attract talented students, so be on the look out for those.

11. Seek out low profile, less competitive, and less lucrative scholarships. One the most effective strategies for winning scholarships is to seek out low profile, less competitive, and less lucrative scholarships. Looking for local awards is one way to approach it.   I once got $2,000 a year to attend Cornell.  The only requirement was that I was from Philadelphia and that I had been accepted to Cornell.  There were nine other recipients, but I later found out that there was enough funds for additional students. I’m assuming, since you are interested in getting a green MBA that you are interested in the environment.  If that is the case, you should also be on the look out for scholarships for people interested in conservation, because there are a lot of them.

12. Ask the adviser from your department of study. If you have been accepted into a green mba program, ask the adviser from your department of study, at your college or university, which fellowships are available, as they should have information regarding both university and outside fellowship opportunities.

13. Offer a convincing composite picture of your strengths. In a strong application, the separate components of the application fit together well, and offer a convincing composite picture of your strengths.

14. Work offline first when completing online applications. When completing an online application, working on the answers off of the web site checking them for accuracy and thoroughness, then paste the answers into the online form when they are complete.

In Getting Scholarships to Pay for Your Green MBA is Not as Hard as You Think – Part II, I will discuss how to gain the competitive edge with essays and personal statements; common scholarship and fellowship application mistakes to avoid; how to get nominated for scholarships and fellowships; getting the most out of letters of recommendation and references; acing the interview; and the importance of financial aid networking.

Veterans, eligible dependents, and reservists can seek up to $2,000 reimbursement for the cost of any LEED Professional Exams administered by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). Those interested in applying and learning more about the program and related certification benefits should view the VA’s pamphlet on licenses and certifications.

by,  Jessalyn Dingwell, The Green Economy Post

Veterans, eligible dependents, and reservists pursuing a LEED professional credential may be able to seek reimbursement for up to $2,000 in test fees administered by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). This program is administered through the U.S. Department of Vetrans Affairs (VA) through the G.I. Bill, which provides a variety of benefits to veterans, including educational benefits and loans.

“We are honored to be a part of the VA’s aggressive effort to help Veterans gain the skills and credentials required for full participation in the new, green economy,” said Peter Templeton, President, GBCI. “For those veterans who are pursuing a career in green building or a related field, this support for attaining LEED credentials can go a long way in helping them achieve their professional goals, and GBCI is proud to play a part in their future success.”

Individuals planning to take a LEED Professional Exam must apply directly to the VA for reimbursement. Under this agreement, the VA will cover up to $2,000 per exam. Anyone who took a LEED Professional Exam after December 3, 2008 is eligible for reimbursement. Those interested in applying and learning more about the program and related certification benefits should view the VA’s pamphlet on licenses and certifications.

GBCI administers exams for professionals wishing to earn a LEED Green Associate or LEED AP credential, which support the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED green building rating systems. The LEED Green Associate credential is designed for professionals who want to demonstrate green building expertise in non-technical fields of practice. The five LEED AP credentials distinguish green building practitioners who have demonstrated proficiency and specialization in the LEED rating systems for Building Design + Construction (BD+C), Interior Design + Construction (ID+C), Operations + Maintenance (O+M), Homes, or Neighborhood Development (ND).

For more information on the LEED Professional Exams and Credentials, visit www.gbci.org.

For more information on applying for VA  reimbursement for LEED exams, visit: www.gibill.va.gov/pamphlets/LC_brochure.pdf.
Call 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551)

The award of $2.3 billion in Recovery Act Advanced Energy Manufacturing Tax Credits for 183 projects in 43 projects across the United States will generate more than 59,000 high quality clean energy jobs and the domestic manufacturing of advanced clean energy technologies including solar, wind, and efficiency and energy management technologies.

by Tracey de Morsella, Green Economy Post

Yesterday, at the White House, President Obama announced the award of $2.3 billion in Recovery Act Advanced Energy Manufacturing Tax Credits for  projects across the United States. The Obama Administration says that the 183 projects in 43 states will generate more than 17,000 high quality clean energy jobs and the domestic manufacturing of advanced clean energy technologies including solar, wind, and efficiency and energy management technologies.  This investment will be matched by as much as $5.4 billion in private sector funding likely supporting up to 41,000 additional jobs.

As part of the Recovery Act, these tax credits are focused on putting Americans back to work by building a dfomestic manufacturing capacity to supply clean and renewable energy projects with American made parts and equipment. These credits are also an important step towards meeting the President’s goal of doubling the amount of renewable energy the country uses in the next three years with wind turbines and solar panels built right here in the United States.

“Building a robust clean energy sector is how we will create the jobs of the future,” said President Obama. “The Recovery Act awards I am announcing today will help close the clean energy gap that has grown between America and other nations while creating good jobs, reducing our carbon emissions, and increasing our energy security.”

“By investing in innovative clean energy manufacturing projects like these, we are not only creating good jobs now, but helping lay a new foundation to keep America competitive in the 21st century economy,” said Vice President Biden.

“The world urgently needs to move toward clean energy technologies, and the United States has the opportunity to lead in this new industrial revolution,” said Secretary Chu. “Today’s awards will create new jobs and jumpstart the industries we need to both solve the energy problem and ensure America’s future competitiveness.”

This effort, along with other Recovery Act investments, is designed to drive significant growth in the renewable energy and clean technology manufacturing sectors and give the United States the ability to lead globally in these markets. The investment tax credits, worth up to 30% of each planned project, will leverage private capital for a total investment of nearly $7.7 billion in high-tech manufacturing in the United States.

The projects were competitively selected through a rigorous merit review process and the companies chosen say they will create more than 17,000 jobs in some of the fastest growing parts of our economy.

Timing of Projects:
The statute authorizing the 48C tax credits allows projects that are completed on or after February 17, 2009, when the Recovery Act was signed.  Projects must be commissioned before February 17, 2013.  The statute favors the selection of projects that are in service early.  As a result, some of the selected projects already have been completed and begun operation.

Applicant Pool:

The application deadline for the 48C program was October 16, 2009.  Over 500 applications were received with tax credit requests totaling over $8 billion.  The 48C applications pool was distributed across many clean energy technologies and was geographically distributed to more than 40 states.

The statutorily specified review criteria included:

• Greatest domestic job creation (direct and indirect)
• Greatest net impact in avoiding or reducing air pollutants or emissions of greenhouse gases; lowest levelized cost of energy
• Greatest potential for technological innovation and commercial deployment
• Shortest project time from certification to completion

Yesterday’s announcement includes tax credits for numerous clean energy technologies and companies, including:

Smart Grid – Itron, Inc.’s OpenWay CENTRON meter is one of the first smart meters for the residential market providing built-in, two-way communications and a remote on/off switch which will give customers more choice and enable utilities to provide higher reliability at lower cost.

The expansion of manufacturing capacity in their facility in South Carolina will allow an annual production of four million meters. Itron estimates that one year’s production of the meters will be able to reduce electricity use by approximately 1.7 million MWh per year.

Building Efficiency and Energy Management – W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc. is producing an advanced membrane for high efficiency fuel cells for buildings and vehicles. The company’s products can help enable lower-cost fuel cells for use in electric vehicles or to power homes and businesses. They are also manufacturing an advanced turbine filter to improve the performance of gas turbines to produce greater outputs at lower cost and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Solar Energy – PPG Industries, Inc. will produce a double anti-reflective coating for glass to make solar cells more efficient. At their Louisiana facility, PPG will produce a special tire tread component that reduces rolling resistance and improves fuel economy. Before the solar industry had begun, PPG pioneered the first low-iron glass that has been used in solar cells and on countless solar installations over the past two decades. Today, this credit will help to expand the manufacture of one of the critical components of glass solar cells, the transparent conductive oxide (TCO) coatings of the glass, without which the cells cannot function.

Wind Energy – TPI Composites, Inc. is building a new manufacturing facility in Nebraska to produce next generation wind turbine blades. TPI says the facility will create over 200 new jobs and will have a capacity equivalent to supplying 265 turbines rated at 2.5 MW for a total electrical output of 663 MW TPI will also be expanding their existing manufacturing facility in Iowa to meet the anticipated increased demand for composite wind turbine blades. TPI’s composite materials made in both facilities are used to make lighter and stronger wind turbine blades and lighter and stronger (and more fuel efficient) vehicles.

While projects selected for this tax credit generally must be placed in service by 2014, approximately 30% of them will be completed in 2010.

As part of an innovative partnership between the Departments of Treasury and Energy, the two cabinet agencies worked together to develop, launch, and award the funds for this program in record time. The Advanced Energy Manufacturing Tax Credit authorized Treasury to provide developers with an investment tax credit of 30% for facilities that manufacture particular types of energy equipment. Qualifying manufacturers will produce solar, wind, and geothermal energy equipment; fuel cells, microturbines, and batteries; electric cars; electric grids to support the transmission of renewable energy; energy conservation technologies; and equipment that captures and sequesters carbon dioxide or reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

Expanded Support for 48C Tax Credits to Accelerate Manufacturing Job Creation:
Because the 48C program generated far more interest than anticipated, DOE and Treasury have a substantial backlog of technically acceptable applications. Instead of turning down worthy applicants who are willing to invest private resources to build and equip factories that manufacture clean energy products in America, the Administration has called on Congress to provide an additional $5 billion to expand the program.  Because there is already an existing pipeline of worthy projects and substantial interest in this area, these funds will be deployed quickly to create jobs and support economic activity.  In doing so, the Administration will employ new approaches to ensure that we maximize private investment for every dollar we invest.

One hundred eighty three projects have been selected for the tax credit. The following is a particial list of the reciepients.

Abound Solar, Inc. of Longmont, CO was awarded $12,600,000 to expand facility capacity with an additional manufacturing line. This facility is solely dedicated to commercial production of PV solar panels using cadmium telluride semiconductor technology.

CaliSolar, Inc. of Sunnyvale, CA was awarded $51,563,980 to build a new manufacturing facility to process silicon feedstock into finished solar cells.

Brevini Wind USA, Inc. of Yorktown, IN was awarded $12,750,000 is will establish a new manufacturing facitlity that will produce Main Drive Gear Boxes for wind turbine manufacturers.  The product allows servicing of the gear box without the use of heavy lifting equipment to remove the entire gearbox from the wind turbine.

GEMX Technologies LLC of Schenectady, NY was awarded $25,500,000 to re-equip an existing manufacturing facility.  The facility will produce sodium metal halide batteries for various markets, including electricity grid support and regulation services to help support renewable energy penetration levels, enable remote power systems based on renewable energy sources, and help increase efficiency by reduced peak power demands.

Hemlock Semiconductor Corp. of Hemlock, MI was awarded $141,870,000 to expand a manufacturing plant that produces polycrystalline-silicon used in the production of solar panels.  The plants, when fully operational, will produce 19,200 metric tons per year.

Martifer-Hirschfeld Energy Systems LLC of Angelo, TX was awarded $3,474,269 to  develop a factory for the production of steel towers for wind turbine generators.  This evolution will allow the wind tower plant to achieve considerable gains in terms of efficiency and in production times.

Novozymes Blair, Inc. of Blair, NE was awarded $28,401,000  to install equipment at a new manufacturing facility to produce biocatalysts (enzymes) used in manufacturing cellulosic ethanol from corn stover by the biochemical platform (biomass pretreatment, enzymatic hydrolysis, fermentation, distillation).  These biocatalysts will aid the production of biofuels as a renewable energy source.

Premium Power of  North Reading,   MA was awarded $3,000,000 to establish a manufacturing facility to produce its proprietary Zinc-Flow® advanced renewable energy storage systems. The technology will deliver high energy storage density, long product life, and deep discharge capability for use in SmartGrid.

Roller Bearing Co. of America, Inc Houston    TX $4,155,000  to  produce turbine blade and yaw bearings, both of which will be used in wind turbines.  The blades are attached to a hub by large pitch bearings which facilitate movement allowing optimal performance with varying wind conditions.  Yaw bearings allow the nacelle to be directed into the wind allowing more efficient conversion of wind into electricity. The resulting technologies will aid domestic production of wind turbines and renewable wind energy.

UTC Power Corp. of South Windsor,CT  was awarded $5,300,100 to open a new manufacturing facility to produce a clean, efficient and reliable fuel-cell powerplant offering more than twice the efficiency of traditional energy sources, while maintaining a low sound and emissions profile.

See the full list of selected projects (Exc el 115 KB).

Stephen Hinton, provides a compilation of professionals that will see growth as the US economy goes green. He predicts that those in STEM professions (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) will experience the most job security.

by Stephen Hinton, Managing Director of Hinton Human Capital.

People have asked me “Where do you see growth in the area of green jobs?” The United States has a shortage of technical professionals when compared to other countries due to low graduation numbers in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields. As the Climate Change, Environmental and Infrastructure industries pick up, here are the fields where I believe well paying jobs will come available:

1. Accounting/Forensic Accounting: The critics of the cap and trade market believe that fraud and ponzi schemes could be a major problem in the new carbon market. These people will be part of the team to determine the money trail and help regulators with prosecution.
2. Alternative Energy: You have heard of this one, but the number of people going into this field is still very low because of high math and science requirements. People are needed in Biofuels/Biomass, Geothermal, Hydroelectric, Waste to Energy and Wind.

3. Architecture: Architects are responsible for designing (or redesigning) buildings to fit the new green standards and building practices. With the advent of recycled building materials and the high numbers of government buildings that will be retrofitted with green features, it will be important for architects to have the LEED certification as part of their credentials.

4. Atmospheric Sciences:Atmospheric scientists study how pollutants behave in the atmosphere. Accidental toxic releases, acid rain, carbon emissions and ozone depletion are big business in their realm. Their mission over the next few decades is to inform the general public about the effects of greenhouse gases on the weather.

5. Carbon Consulting:Eventually every company will have a department or business partner to help them deal with their GHG emissions, carbon credits and trading. There will be growth in corporate as well as consulting jobs.

6. Carbon Capture/ Sequestration:What do we do with the carbon dioxide? Good question. This industry’s job is to find innovative ways to offset, reuse and store captured GHGs. Expect a lot of smart people and money to flow into this industry over the long term.

7. Computer Aided Design: These people “draw” the construction documents for any type of construction related project. With thousands of architecture, engineering and construction projects slated to come from the ARRA, there will be plenty of work once the projects start flowing.

8. Civil Engineering: Civil engineers have a role in every infrastructure related project, whether it is airports, bridges or stormwater systems. This is a field which will have good long term growth and a shortage of workers.

9. Electrical Engineering:These are the people who design and maintain the electrical grid and power plants. There may be a shortage of these people as the design and construction of the new grid picks up.

10. Emissions Trading:These professionals will be the focal point of the new carbon trading market. They are responsible for buying and selling credits to interested parties on the exchange. Carbon is not the only market that will see growth. Look for opportunities in Nitrogen Oxide (NO_x) and Sulphur Oxide (SO_x) markets as overall greenhouse trading markets grow. Traders and brokers must complete licensing requirements in order to work in the market.

11. Energy Management: Also called Resource Efficiency Managers, the professionals in this field not only understand engineering and construction but monitor utility rates to find cost savings. They ensure that energy consumption and costs stay within acceptable limits.

12. Environmental Engineering:These are the people who design water and wastewater treatment systems. Many cities like Atlanta, DC and Portland,OR have multi-billion water infrastructure upgrade programs underway which will receive federal funding.

13. Environmental Information Systems:Industrial facilities must monitor all their equipment, facilities and waste products to ensure the safety of their employees, the environment and the public. The specialized computer systems, software and the people who design and maintain them will have a big job to do in the “green economy”.

14. Environmental Scientists:These are the people who do the environmental investigations and write the environmental permits and reports for construction, industry and climate change. These people will be especially important to the smart grid, rural broadband and environmental clean-up and restoration projects.

15. Forestry:I am sure you were scratching your head about this choice. Here is my reason: Forests absorb carbon dioxide and will be used as offsets in carbon trading. Someone has to look after the trees because planting trees could become more lucrative than cutting them down.

16. Geographic Information Systems/Remote Sensing:The Smart grid and other infrastructure will be on a highly specialized network of sensors using different technologies to monitor power flow and report data.

17. Greenhouse Gas Auditing/Compliance:Every facility that has a smoke stack or produces gaseous byproducts will be inspected and monitored for compliance with greenhouse gas regulations. These professionals will work for environmental consulting firms, the government, non-profits and private investors to make sure GHG emissions stay in range.

18. Geotechnical Engineering:Geotechnical engineers have a key role in the design and construction of dams, foundations, levees, tunnels and underground remediation systems. As the alternate energy, infrastructure and environmental projects heat up, the need for these professionals will go off the chart.

19. Industrial Waste Treatment/Solid Waste/Hazardous Waste Managers:Before any industrial waste product can be reused or returned to the environment it must recycled, treated or put into long term storage. These professionals are at the front line dealing with contaminated water, E-waste, household trash and nuclear waste.

20. Landscape Architecture/Horticulture:Ever heard of a green roof or eaten organic vegetables or Xeriscaping? The natural activities of plants are important to the green jobs industry. Plants will be used to conserve water, clean up environmental spills and many other things.

21. Mechanical Engineering (HVAC):Green buildings need high climate controls to monitor energy consumption and the indoor environment. Mechanical engineers will be responsible in designing the next generation of indoor climate controls.

22. Nuclear Engineering:I know. I know. You think this is a stretch, right? Well, the French have come up with a way to reuse spent nuclear fuel rods and return them into service. If the department of energy approves the process, it is possible thousands of spent fuel rods could be returned to service and limit the need for new manufacturing.

23. Recycling:Recycling companies will gain a huge benefit in the green economy. Watch for some of them to have strong business in scrap metals and recycled materials markets.

24. Regulatory/Government compliance:The EPA and a number of other government agencies will have to expand their staffs to stay on top of new companies and regulations.

25. Risk Management/Insurance:All businesses need insurance and risk management services. The green industry will be no different.

26. Structural Engineering:Do you remember the bridge that collapsed in Minnesota or how about the Dallas Cowboys practice facility? Structural Engineers not only design structural framework of building and bridges, they also investigate structural failures.

27. Transit /Light Rail:The ARRA has a lot of money committed to transit projects. This field has a large number of people retiring over the next few years and a large influx of new people will be needed.

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The 2010 Good Jobs, Green Jobs National Conference, which will be held from May 4-6, 2010, at the Hilton Washington in Washington, D.C., is a conference that focuses on  the implementation of the green economy and building a revitalized, green economy that creates good jobs, reduces global warming and preserves America’s economic and environmental security.

To develop the program for the 2010 Good Jobs, Green Jobs National Conference, they are calling for proposals for workshops and panels.

The 2010 Conference follows the successful 2009 event in Washington, D.C. that brought together nearly 3,000 labor, environmental and business advocates to share ideas and strategies for building a new, green economy, and featured speeches from U.S. EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson, Senators Sherrod Brown, Amy Klobuchar and Debbie Stabenow, United Nations Environment Programme Executive Director and United Nations Under-Secretary General Achim Steiner, United Steelworkers International President Leo W. Gerard, and former Science Magazine Editor Donald Kennedy.

The 2010 Conference will center on putting those ideas and strategies to work for America and will:

* Provide a forum for bringing labor, environment and business together to discuss how the we can turn our ideas into action to build a new green economy in the United States:

* Demonstrate the diversity of the coalition supporting the green economy;

* Showcase the successes of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the ideas and strategies that have already been implemented;

* Underscore the breadth of private-sector investment and job creation;

* Identify additional federal and state policy tools to accelerate the growth of the green economy and the creation of clean energy jobs;

* Highlight strategies for rebuilding the middle class and for creating opportunities for under-served and underemployed communities with clean energy investments; and

* Model partnerships between federal agencies, the private sector and local interests.

The 2010 Good Jobs, Green Jobs National Conference is coordinated by the Blue Green Alliance, a national partnership of labor unions and environmental organizations working to expand the number and quality of jobs in the green economy.

The conference program will be structured around six different topic concentrations which will allow the participants to either immerse themselves in various aspects of one concentration or to pick and choose among workshops and panels from different concentrations.

We are now requesting proposals for workshops and panels for the 2010 conference. The following are the six areas of concentration; please indicate upon your submittal which concentration best fits your submission.

* Education, Innovative Learning, Youth and Training

* Transportation, Urban Planning and Equitable Development

* Renewables and Retrofit

* Sustainable Manufacturing

* Business, Investment and New Markets

* Other

Submission Guidelines: The program committee welcomes original contributions or ideas for workshops or panels centered on turning clean energy ideas into action.  We encourage proposals that highlight collaboration between different constituencies, including business and industry, government agencies, labor unions, community groups and the environmental community.

Panels and workshops that examine innovative ways to take action to create a clean energy future for the United States are currently being solicited.

The 2009 workshops and panels are archived at www.greenjobsconference.org.
Process of Selection

The program committee will evaluate workshops and panels based on quality and relevance.  All submissions are confidential prior to publication in the proceedings.

Submissions received after the deadline will not be considered unless an extension is granted by the committee. Authorization by employers, governments or clients must be obtained by the submitter prior to the event.

Keynote speakers may be published in a Conference Journal.

In order to be considered, all proposals, including collateral materials, are expected to arrive prior to the submission deadline.

Submit Your Proposal.

Copyright

The Blue Green Alliance requires a non-exclusive copyright license for all presentation material. This includes potential distribution on either the Blue Green Alliance or Good Jobs, Green Jobs Conference Web site, or other forms as required or requested by the Blue Green Alliance.

Deadline: The deadline for submissions is January 15.

Notification of acceptance: January 29, 2010

For more detailed information:

If you have questions about the submission process, please contact Mandy Hargitt, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Outreach for the Blue Green Alliance.  Email: mandyh@bluegreenalliance.org.  Phone: 202-675-6273

Note: Please do not contact the Green Economy Post regarding this opportunity.  We are not affiliated with the sponsoring organizations, and therefore have no additional information. Sometimes the link is changed for the opportunities.  When this happens, go to the home page of the organizers to locate information on the opportunity or contact the organization directly.

The Missouri Economic Research and Information Center recently conducted a survey of state businesses and found that the state currently has 130,000 people employed in green economy jobs and that there is a lot of potential for growth in the future as the general economy recovers.

by Chris de Morsella, Green Economy Post

The Missouri Economic Research and Information Center recently conducted a survey of state businesses, the Green Jobs Report that found that nearly five percent of the state’s total employment, or more than 130,000 job positions, are now part of the green economy sectors. These numbers are also expected to rapidly grow as soon as the general economy begins to recover.

The study estimated the number of green jobs in the Missouri economy via an employer
Survey and was conducted in the third quarter of 2009 by the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, the research arm of the Missouri Department of Economic Development. It constitutes the first effort in the state to survey employers to measure the number of Missouri green jobs.

The Survey’s Findings

Missouri now has 131,103 total green jobs counting both primary and support
Positions. There are 28,720 primary green jobs and 102,383 green supporting jobs.

Around 71% of employers surveyed stated that current economic conditions were the largest barrier toward hiring additional green workers. A finding that highlights the potential for growth in Missouri’s green economy as the general economy begins to recover.

Almost 80% of employers in the survey use in-house classrooms or on-the-job training to train workers in green jobs and indicated that the top three skill sets needed for future green workers are waste minimization, pollution reduction control, and energy conservation.

The survey covered employment for 160 detailed occupations finding that the largest share of primary green employment includes: refuse and recyclable material collectors, chemical technicians, plumbers, refrigeration mechanics and installers, and architects.

Primary green occupations with the most opportunity for growth were: construction managers, environmental engineering technicians, operating engineers, electricians, environmental engineers, and pipe layers.

How Green Jobs and Green Economy Were Defined

How does one define Green Job or Green Economy? While there is no official definition a green job can be thought of as one that directly or indirectly creates a positive impact on the environment. The survey’s findings were based on Missouri’s definition of green jobs as those directly involved in generating or supporting a firm’s green-related products or services. The state’s green economy is defined as being comprised of industries that provide green products or services in six areas: Energy, Manufacturing, Building, Farming, Salvage/Remediation, and Government.

The Green Economy is defined as those industries and economic activities that contribute to at least one of the following:

Energy efficiency – such as: manufacturing of hybrid vehicles, energy-efficient appliances, green-building projects and energy efficiency remediation of existing buildings.

Renewable energy – such as: wind energy, solar energy, and biomass energy.

Organic food production – that is production of food that adheres to the USDA definition of organic foods production.

Jobs related to the reduction of industrial emissions, including global warming, jobs involved in recycling, and jobs related to wastewater treatment.

Jobs related to the remediation of hazardous sites.

Research and development devoted to supporting these areas.

The Six Clusters of Missouri’s Green Economy

The study found that the green economy in Missouri is comprised principally of industries that can be grouped into the following six broad clusters: Energy production, building, manufacturing, salvage/remediation, public administration and farming.

Renewable Energy Production

New renewable energy initiatives are expected to drive green energy production and purchasing well beyond existing capacity creating jobs in Wind, Solar, Hydro-Electric, Bio-Mass, and Bio-fuel energy production. Currently Missouri gets 82% of its electric power from coal and less than 2% from renewable sources (and most of this small portion is from traditional hydro power).

However this dirty coal energy mix is going to change. Missouri’s citizens have approved the Missouri Clean Energy Initiative that mandates that the state’s investor-owned utilities get 15% of their electricity from clean, renewable energy sources by 2021. Renewable energy content requirements in this initiative will be gradually phased-in beginning with a 2 percent renewable requirement in 2011, 5 percent in 2014, 10 percent in 2018, and no less than 15 percent in 2021 and thereafter.

The Missouri Clean Energy Initiative also requires utilities to offer their customers a rebate of $2 per watt (of installed rated capacity) for customer-owned solar power systems, up to a limit of $50,000, which would be the rebate available for a 25kw solar PV system. This mandated rebate should help encourage the spread of rooftop solar photovoltaic systems around the state.

Green Building and Energy Efficiency Retrofits

Retrofitting existing building’s to improve their energy efficiency and promoting the building of new buildings to LEED standards promises large and continuing savings both in on-going energy costs and in the long term cost savings provided by green building products and designs. This will continue to appeal to consumers and industry alike. Missouri has the opportunity now to transition its construction related workforce over to a profitable industry which may one day completely replace traditional building practices with green building ones.

Green building jobs usually require an additional certification for higher level occupations, such as architects, estimators and engineers. Those involved directly with construction and design would benefit from the LEED accreditation. Missouri currently has over 1,300 certified LEED professionals and will need many more in order to meet the challenges of transforming its building sector into one that is constructing sustainable buildings and upgrading existing structures to meet higher energy efficiency, water usage, environmental and other standards.

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FEATURED GREEN EDUCATION PROGRAM

Clean Edison 1-Day Intensive LEED Green Associate Course. ~ The LEED Green Associate Intensive course is one of the fastest ways to prepare you for the Green Associate exam. In just one day CleanEdison’s instructors will review the credit rating system, what the general guidelines are for that system, and various tips and tricks for passing the exam.The LEED Green Associate (GA) credential is designed for professionals who want to demonstrate a basic knowledge of green design, construction, and operations, but who do not necessarily participate in design and construction work. Click here, for more information about the Clean Edison 1-Day Intensive LEED Green Associate Course..

Sustainable Technology and Manufacturing

Green Manufacturing is the research, development, and production of materials, parts, and final products within the following categories: energy efficiency, water reuse and efficiency, environmental health, renewable energy, and environmental safety. The research, development, and manufacture of green technology products is potentially the most fundamental drivers of green job creation in Missouri. The potential global demand for this sector’s exports is staggering. Growing and holding onto entrepreneurship and advanced research within these technology categories is of critical importance for the state.

Salvage/Remediation

The supply chain of green energy, building, and manufacturing products relies on the efficient processing and re-cycling of what are traditionally treated as waste materials. The recovery, distribution, and sale of recycled raw materials creates jobs integral to the green economy and the removal of hazardous materials and remediation of building sites is also important to sustaining our existing communities and improving the quality of life.

Public Administration

The administration of federal, state, and local green initiatives creates jobs at all levels of government. Conservation, regulation, certification, incentives, and economic development are major areas of interest in the public governing and utilities sector.

Sustainable Farming and Biofuels

Green Farming falls into the following classifications: organic/free range food production, forest preservation and renewable energy resource production. The production of biofuels especially non food and more efficient cellulosic bio-fuel crop sources will expand the available production acreage in Missouri and create new farming jobs. In addition, the number of organic farms is on the rise in Missouri. Smaller lots – often close to urban centers — can support niche organic heirloom crops and also add to production acreage in the state resulting in new sources of income to Missourians. Green forestry certification provides another opportunity to brand the state as green friendly and be included in the LEED approved wood products supply chain.

This study gives a good picture of the current green job and green economy state in Missouri and provides a pretty good idea of where the states administrators hope to see it go in the near future.

The Climate Corps program is a partnership between Net Impact and Environmental Defense Fund. The program embeds trained MBA students from top-ranking business schools in leading companies to develop practical, actionable energy efficiency plans. Climate Corps fellows spend up to three months identifying and analyzing savings opportunities. They also develop detailed investment and implementation plans that help businesses cut costs and reduce emissions.

In 2009, 23 companies and 26 fellows participated. Prior host companies include Hewlett-Packard, eBay and Sony Pictures Entertainment among others. The 2009 fellows uncovered efficiencies in lighting, computer equipment, and heating and cooling systems that will help the host companies to:

• Save $54 million in net operational costs over the project lifetimes;
• Cut the equivalent of 160 million kilowatt hours of energy use per year—enough to power 14,000 homes;
• Avoid over 100,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year— equivalent to taking more than 12,000 SUVs off the road.

The plan is to place 50 fellows in companies across the US for Climate Corps 2010.

Qualifications:

• Active Net Impact member; you can join here and scholarships are available
• MBA candidate (preferred)
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Self-starter with strong project management experience
• Strong background in financial analysis and/or engineering
• Corporate advisory or consulting experience
• Familiarity with greenhouse gas management, climate change and energy issues a plus
• Eligibility to work in the United States during the summer of 2010

The application includes the following pieces:

• Resume: Applicants need to submit a customized one page resume highlighting any previous work in energy efficiency, energy or sustainability. The more specific you can be about relevant experience, the easier it is for us to match you.
• Essay Questions: Applicants will be asked to submit short essay responses with their applications.
• Geographic Location Constraints: Host companies can be located anywhere in the United States. Fellows may be offered a position in the program before they are matched with a host company, it is important to indicate how flexible you are on your geographic constraints for summer 2010.

Deadline:

All 2010 application materials are due no later than 5:00pm PST on Monday, January 11, 2010.

If you are a Net Impact member, please find the job description and application on the Net Impact Job Board.  If you are not a Net Impact member, you can join at www.netimpact.org/join. Scholarships are available. You can then visit the Net Impact Job Board.

If you are not ready to submit the final application, you can fill out this interest form to stay updated about the application process.

Additional information:

Read through the FAQs for Climate Corp fellows and visit the Climate Corps home page for additional information.

Contact the Climate Corps program for more information and to get involved in the 2010 program.

Note: Please do not contact the Green Economy Post regarding this opportunity.  We are not affiliated with the sponsoring organizations, and therefore have no additional information. Sometimes the link is changed for the opportunities.  When this happens, go to the home page of the organizers to locate information on the opportunity or contact the organization directly.

INTERNSHIP OVERVIEW: The Green Economy Post currently has four unpaid internship openings for Assistant Content Editors. The interns will work with The Green Economy Post’s Managing Producer to manage and create content for our website (www.greeneconomypost.com). The internship is designed to assist you with building your personal brand through blogging and enable you to network with green thought leaders, all while showcasing and increasing your expertise. A commitment of 10 hours per week is needed and all work can be done virtually. Internship days, hours and duration are flexible.

This is an excellent opportunity for career changers or recent grads interested in pursuing a career in sustainability, renewable energy or some other type of green career, but all are welcome to apply.

ABOUT THE GREEN ECONOMY POST
The Green Economy Post is an informative blog that covers the impact of the environment, sustainable building, cleantech and renewable energy on the US economy. Readers are provided with insightful feature stories, checklists, commentary, case studies, practical advice and insight, news and interviews provided by 20+ industry leaders.

INTERNSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES

• Write short blog posts
• Conduct Interviews with thought leaders in cleantech, sustainability, renewable energy and other environmental experts
• Work with industry thought leaders who are guest experts, while editing their submitted content
• Edit press releases
• Proofread blog posts
• Conduct polls and report results

QUALIFICATIONS

• Candidates will have strong computer/internet, writing/editing, and organizational skills.
• Experience working in wordpress, typepad, blogger, or some other blogging application a plus, but not required.

If you are interested in applying for this position, please contact us.

Develop a comprehensive strategy for obtaining a green MBA without racking up a boat load of debt. Learn how to identify and win scholarships, fellowships, assistantships, grants, and other types of aid.

by Tracey de Morsella, the Green Economy Post

In this distressed economic climate, with many professionals facing difficulty when it comes to finding rewarding employment, an increasing number see pursuing a career in sustainability as the solution to their employment woes.  There has been a dramatic sea change that is taking place within government and businesses in their approach to sustainability.  The MBA has long been seen as a game changer when it comes to shaking up one’s career, so it’s no surprise that people are taking a serious look at the green MBA .  Increasingly, prospective students are no longer asking if they should get a green MBA, but instead, how they will pay for it.

A green MBA can cost a small fortune with amounts ranging from $89,590 to attend  University of Pennsylvania Wharton School Green MBA to the other extreme of $3,609 to attend San Francisco Institute of Architecture MBA in Sustainability Distance Learning Program. Examples of programs charging somewhere in the middle include Presidio Graduate School ($47,880) or,  or Green Mountain College ($25,900)

Many professionals opt not to pursue getting a green MBA, because they are put off by the high cost, and they fear of taking out high interest loans during this period of economic upheaval.  But what most people do not realize is that loans are not the only realistic solution. With proper planning and research, you can find many alternative ways to finance your MBA.

While there are federal grants for undergraduates, there are no broad category grants available for MBA students from the federal government. Financial aid is available, but funding for MBA students is extremely limited and the grants and scholarships that are available tend to be small in size compared to the costs.  However, there are still number of options available. Along with paying out if pocket, there are five additional approaches you can take to pay for your green MBA.  They are as follows:

1.    Gift Aid – This includes scholarships, grants, fellowship, awards and contests and tuition waivers awarded  by individual business schools
2.    Assistantships -  Including teaching assistantships, resident assistantships, and research assistantships
3.    Company employee educational benefits
4.    Loans – This includes Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan, Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, Federal Direct Loan, Private loan programs, and  Tuition payment plans
5.    Tax Incentives

Over the next few weeks, we will explore each of these options in greater detail, providing you with strategies for pursuing them. To reduce the amount of debt you will have to incur in order to obtain your green MBA you will have to be willing to do a great deal of research and apply for every scholarship, award, competition, grant and fellowship that you can identify.  If done right, you could come out with a green MBA without any debt at all or substantially less debt than you would have otherwise incurred. To succeed in this you have to approach the pursuit of aid like you would a serious job search.

Hopefully, instead of paying for the entire thing with loans, you will have the knowledge and resources that will enable you to obtain you green MBA with some combination of aid & loans, or maybe without incurring any debt at all.  While I am primarily addressing issues of concern for those people thinking of going back to school full-time to obtain their green MBA, most of the strategies mentioned here apply to those thinking about attending part-time or online, as well.

Calculate the Costs to Attend

After you have narrowed down the selection of green MBA programs that you are interested in attending, figure out how much your total costs will be to attend each program. This will help you gain an understanding of how much money you need to survive on while you are in school; what the obligations are going to be in terms of rent, utilities, etc. and an understanding how you spend your money. It will also position you to better manage your debt while you are attending a green MBA program and have a dramatically reduced access to funds.

Make sure you include the costs you will incur beyond tuition.  This would include a computer, books, and other supplies.  If you are leaving your area to attend school, do not forget to check into how the cost of living in the school’s area compares to where you currently reside.  Most business schools can tell you what the average cost of living will be in the area and may offer subsidized housing or provide a housing office to help you find a place to live.   Before making any decisions, you should figure out how much you’ll actually need to live and pay for each of the programs and scan to see what costs you can trim.

Use the total expenses to go to business school that you have calculated to realistically determined the personal resources you can make available from current income and savings (if you have any in these distressing times). Then compare the totals for each program to help you determine if you can actually enroll.

Five Ways You Can Start Cutting Your Costs Before You Attend

Before you start looking at your financial aid options, there are a number of additional steps you should take. Start cutting your costs as soon as you decide you want to go back to school so you can get in the habit of sticking to this reduced budget. This will help prepare you for going without a salary, if you are thinking about going full-time.  It could also help position you to have some sort of savings for emergencies.

1. Get a copy of your credit report and start working now to correct any errors, so that you can get the best rates possible when applying for loans.
2. Get your debt to a manageable level before taking on a student loan.  If you can, pay off your car and any credit cards you have so you don’t fall into the trap of racking up bad credit-card debt while in school.
3. Because you will not be employed, you should avoid incurring any additional major expenses and begin paying down existing consumer dept.  This means nixing any plans for a new car, luxury vacation, house, etc.  Do not be tempted into having one last splurge before changing your lifestyle.
4. If you cannot pay off any outstanding undergraduate loans you might have, make arrangements to defer them.
5. If you can manage it, try to return to living like a student—maybe even getting roommate so you can significantly reduce your costs.

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Argosy University Master of Business Administration – Sustainable Management Concentration. Argosy’s Master of Business Administration (MBA) online program offered by the College of Business emphasizes leadership, action, and solutions. The Sustainable Management concentration stresses the development and implementation of sustainable business practices to create a competitive advantage. Our program enhances your professional abilities and gives you the skills sought by contemporary businesses. You can learn to identify challenges and opportunities, draw on technology and information, and use advanced analytical and planning approaches that position you to create positive changes for an organization. Click here, for more information about the Argosy University Master of Business Administration – Sustainable Management Concentration.

Five Ways You Can Get Organized for the Coming Onslaught of Admissions and Financial Aid Activity

1. Prevent yourself from missing out on admissions, fellowship, grant, scholarship, internship and loan deadlines by creating a system for tracking all the information you are going to collect and the deadlines that you will have to meet.  Do this by keeping a detailed calendar and stick with the schedule.
2. Make note of any advice, contacts or resources that the people you meet provide you with and file it away for later use.  Do not count on your memory alone.
3. Keep financial aid folders for each of the schools to which you applied. You should also keep folders on the additional aid resources that you uncover, including loans, scholarships, fellowships, etc. While it is probably easier to organize these materials on your computer, it is likely that you will not receive all of the information online.
4. Do a draft version of your income tax return with estimated numbers, to meet early aid application deadlines.
5. Use worksheets in financial aid guidebooks to calculate what the colleges will estimate you can afford to pay, before you apply.

Fill Out the Appropriate Financial Aid Forms

Don’t wait to be accepted to a school to apply for aid, often the money is available on a first come, first served basis.  So, it is important to get your application forms in as soon as possible.  Assume you’re eligible for financial aid and fill out the appropriate financial aid forms. Don’t rule yourself out because of income or academics and don’t rule out a college because you think it’s too expensive.   Read below to see which form(s) you should fill out.

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)  – To qualify for federal aid, every student is required to complete the FAFSA, either in paper or electronic form. The paper form is available at most business school financial aid offices. Once you have submitted the proper application, the business schools you have designated will receive information showing the amount you can afford to contribute to your education, calculated based on your income and assets. This is called the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The EFC from the federal form is the official amount that determines whether you will qualify for certain types of federal aid.

If this amount is less than the total cost of attendance, you have demonstrated need and will qualify for aid—usually low-cost, government-subsidized loans. In most instances, you will get a quick response from the schools you designated on funding options available to you.  Then you can work directly with a financial aid office to secure your loans and potentially other forms of aid.

College Board Financial Aid PROFILE – Some business schools require that you complete an additional application called the Financial Aid PROFILE form from the College Board.

GI Bill Veteran’s Application for Benefits - If you are a veteran, some green MBA programs offer scholarships that you may be eligible for and they may require that you fill out the GI Bill veteran’s application for benefits form in order to apply for them.

Working with Financial Aid Offices

Even before you apply, you can get information about the financial aid services available at each school that interests you. Take advantage of the availability of this information from financial aid offices by seeking out their help.  Some of the graduate business school even have their own financial aid offices separate from the main university financial aid office to address MBA students specific issues.

The best way to find scholarship money is to get the contact information from the schools that have accepted you.  Financial aid offices know where the money is and will be glad to direct you to the resources that are available.  You just have to ask and follow through.

Today, I laid down the groundwork designed to help you put together a comprehensive strategy for obtaining the aid you need to attend a green MBA program.  On Monday, I will explain how to find scholarships, fellowship, assistantships and paid internships and develop a strategy for applying and winning them.  I will also provide you with a list of scholarships and a list of scholarship directories that will help you jump start your search.

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President calls for an expansion of select American Recovery and Reinvestment Act initiatives that promote energy efficiency and clean energy jobs. that includes a new rebate program on Tuesday to reward homeowners for making their homes more energy efficient.

by Tracey de Morsella, the Green Economy Post

President Barack Obama proposed a new rebate program on Tuesday to reward homeowners for making their homes more energy efficient, while also proposing additional federal investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy. As part of a speech about jobs and the economy at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C., the president noted that home energy retrofits create jobs, save money for families, and reduce the pollution that threatens our environment. President Obama also called for aid to small businesses and new investments in infrastructure. Most of the president’s proposals will require congressional approval.

President Obama’s job plan calls for an expansion of select American Recovery and Reinvestment Act initiatives that promote energy efficiency and clean energy jobs. The president noted that one-third of the Recovery Act is intended for investments “to put Americans to work doing the work that America needs done,” such as doubling the U.S. capacity for producing power from renewable energy. But most of those initiatives are oversubscribed, causing many strong ideas to go unfunded. With that in mind, the Obama Administration is supporting the expansion of programs for which additional federal dollars will leverage private investment and create jobs quickly, such as investments in industrial energy efficiency, as well as new or extended tax incentives for investing in U.S. manufacturing facilities for renewable energy technologies.

The President Laid Out Three Key Areas That Will be Focused on To Accelerate Job Growth

1. Helping Small Businesses Expand Investment, Hire Workers and Access Credit

* Tax cuts to support additional business investment next year – with a particular focus on struggling small businesses – with much of the cost recouped over time.
* Zero capital gains for small businesses: To encourage investment by small businesses and improve their access to capital, the Administration is calling for a one-year elimination of the tax on capital gains from new investments in small business stock. The Recovery Act allowed a 75% exclusion from capital gains taxes on small business investments.
* Extension of enhanced expensing provisions for small businesses: The Administration is also calling for the extension through 2010 of the Recovery Act provision that allows small businesses to immediately expense up to $250,000 of qualified investment.
* Extension of Recovery Act bonus depreciation tax incentive: To give businesses an incentive to invest, the Administration is calling for extending the Recovery Act provision that accelerates the rate at which business can deduct the cost of capital expenditures. This provision will put more than $20 billion in the hands of businesses in 2010, while enabling Treasury to recoup much of the funding as business regain their strength.
* A new tax cut for small businesses to encourage hiring in 2010. Although the economy is now growing again, many businesses remain reluctant to hire. In this economic environment, an employment tax cut for small businesses has the potential to accelerate the pace of hiring. The Administration believes it is important to provide a short-term tax incentive to encourage small business hiring and support employment, and will work with Congress to design a provision that accomplishes these goals.
* Eliminating fees and increasing guarantees for small businesses that borrow through major SBA programs in 2010. The President called for the elimination of fees and an increase in guarantees for loans through the Small Business Administration, a measure that extends provisions in the Recovery Act through the end of 2010. In addition, the President called for continued Treasury efforts to use the TARP to support small business lending.

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FEATURED GREEN EDUCATION PROGRAM

CleanEdison Weatherization Certification Course. ~ CleanEdison Weatherization Certification Course. Attending this course gives participants an understanding of the Weatherization Assistance Program, understand characteristics of the client base served by the program, recognition that building science guides the selection of measures installed with program dollars, and understanding of the principles of cost-effectiveness and the Savings to Investment Ratio that accompany modern weatherization measures. Having this background allows participants to become more marketable and qualified for government incentives and various “green” initiatives. This course is for architects, engineers, home builders, electricians, energy auditors, insulation professionals, general contractors, home inspectors, HVAC professionals, roofers and HERS Raters. Click here, for more information about the CleanEdison Weatherization Certification Course. .

2. Investing in America’s Roads, Bridges and Infrastructure

* Additional investment in highways, transit, rail, aviation and water. The President is calling for new investments in a wide range of infrastructure, designed to get out the door as quickly as possible while continuing a sustained effort at creating jobs and improving America’s productivity.
* Support for merit-based infrastructure investment that leverages federal dollars. The Administration supports financing infrastructure investments in new ways, allowing projects to be selected on merit and leveraging money with a combination of grants and loans as was done through the Recovery Act’s TIGER program.

3. Creating Jobs Through Energy Efficiency and Clean Energy Investments

* New incentives for consumers who invest in energy efficient retrofits in their homes. Smart, targeted investments in energy efficiency can help create jobs while improving our energy security and saving consumers money. The President today called on Congress to consider a new program to provide rebates for consumers who make energy efficiency retrofits. Such a program will harness the power of the private sector to help drive consumers to make cost-saving investments in their homes.
* Expansion of successful oversubscribed Recovery Act programs to leverage private investment in energy efficiency and create clean energy manufacturing jobs. The Recovery Act included historic investments that have helped to build the foundation for a clean energy economy. The Administration supports expanding programs for which additional federal dollars will leverage private investment and create jobs quickly, such as industrial energy efficiency investments and tax incentives for investing in renewable manufacturing facilities in the U.S.

II. A FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE APPROACH TO JOB CREATION THROUGH STEWARDSHIP OF TARP AND OVERALL FISCAL DISCIPLINE

These steps are part of the President’s overall approach to fiscal discipline. This includes:

* Freeing up resources from stabilizing Wall Street and putting them to work on Main Street. Because of the Administration’s stewardship of the TARP program – combined with our broader efforts to revive the economy – we now expect the cost to be at least $200 billion less than anticipated as recently as August. Indeed, since the Obama Administration has taken office, only $7 billion has been provided in assistance to banks, compared to $114 billion in capital that banks subject to the “stress test” have raised from the private sector. These savings will allow us to pay down the deficit faster than was anticipated while also investing funds that would have gone to banks in job creating efforts instead.
* An overall approach to fiscal discipline in the budget. Although additional resources are needed in the short-run to address the unemployment crisis, the Administration is committed to doing what we need to bring the medium-term deficit under control – and is exploring a range of steps to take as part of the FY2011 budget process. An additional important component of returning to fiscal responsibility is passing health reform legislation that not only reduces the deficit but also reduces the long-term growth rate of health care costs.

III. AN ONGOING FOCUS ON JOB CREATION

In addition to the proposals outlined above, the Administration will be working with Congress to ensure that those hit hardest by this economic crisis continue to receive the support they need. This includes: extending unemployment insurance for Americans who are struggling to find jobs, extending the Recovery Act provision that helps out-of-work Americans keep their health insurance through COBRA, providing an additional $250 Economic Recovery Payment to our seniors and veterans, and taking steps to ensure that state and local governments are not forced to lay-off teachers, police officers and other key personnel at this critical time.

These steps will build on the efforts that the Administration has already taken to accelerate the pace of job growth, including tax cuts for struggling businesses, an expanded homebuyer credit, additional unemployment insurance to one million Americans, and the Cash for Clunkers program. The Administration is also continuing to pursue efforts to increase the competitiveness of U.S. businesses and strengthen their capacity to export to overseas markets.

Job Overview: Environmental Management Consolidated Business Center attracts college graduates and other candidates that will undergo 2 years of structured developmental program. This training period is consists of various training activities, rotational assignments and experiences in a variety of functional programs at various headquarters, field offices, labs or organizations.

Organization: Department of Energy (DOE)-The office of Environmental Management (EM)

Organization Overview: DOE-EM was solely created to assess and cleanup inactive nuclear waste sites and facilities nationwide. This assessment and cleanup efforts includes development and implementing safe and effective waste management operations, applying waste research and developing programs that utilize innovative and cost effective environmental technologies to address permanent disposal of high and low level nuclear waste.

Location: Nationwide

Position Description: DOE-EM are seeking candidates who are interested and highly motivated in cleaning inactive nuclear waste sites from the human as well as ecological risks.

Each selected candidates will be assigned a mentor within the EM community who has substantial years of experience in his/her field and has demonstrated excellent mentor qualities.

The DOE-EM ensures that all the candidates are properly trained and educated to carry out the duties related to the respective candidates permanent work assignment/site, development will be consistent with the objectives and standards set by the Technical Qualifications Program (TQP). For further information on training and development click here.

Basic qualification requirements:

1) Candidates must be U.S Citizen.

2) Ability to pass a background investigation.

3)Obtain security clearance and meet the federal guidelines/standards under DOE-EM drug test program.

Academics:
To qualify for any position in EMPDC, candidates must have competed a bachelor/graduate degree by June 2009 in one of the following academic disciplines:

Engineering/Technical disciplines:
Mechanical Engineer
physical science
Nuclear engineer
fire protection
chemical engineer
environmental science
environmental engineer
electrical engineer
industrial engineer
civil/structural engineer
occupational safety and health

Non-Technical disciplines:
Business Administration/Management
Finance
Accounting
Political Science
Law

Awards/Extra-curricular activities:
Honors and awards received.
Extracurricular Activities.
Volunteer work/Activities.
Previous work/job experiences.
Interpersonal skills.
Personal interviews.

Incentives:

All candidates when they come on board with the office of Environmental Management (EM) will immediately receive a lump sum recruitment or relocation bonus in the amount of $5000. Employees who receive either of these incentives incur a service obligation. For details click here.

How to Apply:

Candidates for EMPDC must apply through USA Jobs.

If any candidates would like to submit a hardcopy of application and official college transcripts, kindly forward it to:

U.S. Department of Energy
Environmental Management Consolidated Business Center
ATTN: Jean St Pierre, EMPDC
250 East 5^th Street
Suite 500
Cincinnati, OH 45202

Deadline to Apply:

Application for Environmental Professional Development Corps (EMPDC) should be received no later than March 5, 2010.

Colorado State University and Veterans Green Jobs are working  together to create the Veterans Green Jobs Education Initiative for the purpose of encouraging and enhancing opportunities for military veterans to attend the university, both at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Participants will work to receive degrees in the following area:  natural resources management, forestry and military lands management, green/sustainable construction, renewable energy technology and sustainable business development.

by Tracey de Morsella, Green Economy Post

Colorado State University and Veterans Green Jobs announced recently, the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to create the Veterans Green Jobs Education Initiative at the university. CSU is the first four-year university to partner with Veterans Green Jobs to provide “green” educational opportunities to veterans.

The MOU establishes a formal relationship between CSU and the Denver-based, non-profit organization, Veterans Green Jobs, for the purpose of encouraging and enhancing opportunities for military veterans to attend the university, both at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The initiative promotes academic disciplines that provide post-educational career opportunities for veterans in the green jobs sector, both in Colorado and nationally.

“Veterans of our armed forces hold a special place in our campus community because of their willingness to serve our nation and the sacrifices they’ve made to fulfill their commitments,” said CSU President Tony Frank. “As a university, it is important that we honor their service and recognize their sacrifices by providing both access to education and opportunities for career development. This MOU can help provide a veteran with a second career after their military service as well as contribute to Colorado’s new energy economy.”

These disciplines, across four colleges at CSU, would include, but are not limited to:  natural resources management, forestry and military lands management, green/sustainable construction, renewable energy technology and sustainable business development.

“This agreement brings together two important goals for the university – supporting our student veterans, and preparing them, along with the rest of the student body, for potential careers in the emerging green workforce,” said CSU Interim Provost and Executive Vice President Rick Miranda.

To achieve the goals of the MOU, the university and Veterans Green Jobs will focus on:

- supporting military veterans attending Colorado State University in achieving their educational and professional goals for the green jobs sector;

- and, developing pathways and programs that will assist and encourage military veterans to attend Colorado State University to undertake undergraduate and graduate level studies in green job related disciplines.

“The signing of the MOU between CSU and Veterans Green Jobs is a significant event for the university because it directly confirms two preeminent missions of CSU as Colorado’s land grant institution: access to higher education for military veterans and their families; and, environmental stewardship of our state’s natural resources contributing to the state’s green economy sector and goals for renewable energy,” said Bill Doe, associate dean of CSU’s Warner College of Natural Resources and Veterans Green Jobs board member. “This MOU brings full-circle the inspirational notion that military veterans, who have served the nation in war and peace, will now through CSU, gain the knowledge and skills to serve the environment and the green economy.”

Partnering with academia and private industry, Veterans Green Jobs training programs have resulted in a skilled workforce currently implementing energy efficiency and weatherization measures as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  In 2010, Veterans Green Jobs will launch programs across the United States to train veterans as leaders of market-based initiatives to manage weatherization programs, install solar panels and wind turbines, rebuild and retrofit homes, and replant and restore both urban and wildland environments.  For more information about the programs, visit http://veteransgreenjobs.org/ or contact Kirsten Maynard, (415) 350-4147, kirsten@veteransgreenjobs.org.

The Green Building Certification Institute (USBGCI) is accepting applications from professionals interested in taking the LEED AP Neighborhood Development beta exam and potentially earning the credential for free. You must submit the application and required documentation online by December 15th. The final, balloted version of LEED for Neighborhood Development was recently released with a few interesting changes including new requirements for certification of at least one green building, walkable sidewalks, increased density, and an allowance for minor construction such as boat access ramps in green buffer areas that encourage human interaction with nature.

by Jessalyn Dingwell, Green Economy Post

As LEED for Neighborhood Development (LEED ND) enters the final stages of development, the Green Building Certification Institute (USBGCI) is accepting applications from professionals interested in taking the LEED AP Neighborhood Development exam between February 2 and February 12, 2010 – for free. This beta test is an opportunity to take the LEED AP Neighborhood Development exam at no cost and, upon final scoring of the results, potentially earn the LEED AP Neighborhood Development credential.

In order to apply for the LEED AP Neighborhood Development exam, you must meet the eligibility requirements (documenting professional experience on a LEED-registered project, within the last 3 years, with verification through LEED Online or employer attestation), complete the application, and submit the required documentation no later than December 15. Notification of acceptance in the beta testing event will occur at the end of December.

This is a great opportunity for professionals, especially those who are already familiar with the final version of LEED ND, to become among the first professionals certified in the rating system and save a few hundred dollars on examination fees.

LEED ND Updates

LEED ND is a rating system designed in collaboration between the US Green Building Council (USBGC), the Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU), and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). The rating system encourages smart growth by promoting the location and design of neighborhoods that reduce vehicle miles traveled and creating developments where jobs and services are accessible by foot or public transit. It also promotes green building and green infrastructure practices, particularly more efficient energy and water use.

The design of the LEED ND rating system began in 2004. A closed pilot of the rating system opened in 2007 and has certified 49 projects to date. At this point, the system is in its final version and is available for download online. The USBGC plans to open the rating system for new projects in 2010 as well as complete the certification exam so that green professionals can achieve the LEED AP Neighborhood Development designation.

Sophie Lambert, the Director of LEED ND at the USBGC as well as several members of the LEED ND Core Committee discussed significant changes and improvements to the system a few weeks ago at Greenbuild. Many of these improvements required changes to the pilot system, so make sure to review the final version which will not change again before registration of new projects opens in 2010. Here are a few of the more significant changes mentioned:

Green Building Requirement: The final version requires at least one building within the community be a certified green building. The requirement is met by LEED certification or through a green building rating system requiring review by independent, impartial, third-party certifying bodies as defined by ISO/IEC 17021.

Compact Development: The Core Committee received thousands of public comments on this issue. Some people wanted a more stringent density requirement while some believed that the standard was already too high. In the session I attended at Greenbuild, one of the audience members expressed concerns that the requirement was too low. The Committee felt that since density was so context specific, it was critical to make this perquisite flexible enough to include many different community locations. In the end, the Committee decided that 7 dwelling units per acre and .50 floor-area ratio (FAR) was not high enough for locations with ample transit services. The standard was adjusted and is as high as 12 dwelling units per acre and .80 FAR in certain locations in a transit corridor.

New Walkable Streets Prerequisite: This requirement is intended to make sidewalks safer and more appealing to pedestrians, leading to reduced vehicle miles traveled and improved public health. There are four basic components to this prerequisite: 1. for 90% of new building frontage, a principal functional entry on the front façade faces a public space 2. a minimum building height-to-street-width ratio of 1:3 must be achieved on 15% of street frontage  3. continuous sidewalks on 90% of the community 4. no more than 20% of the street frontages within the project are faced directly by garage and service bay openings. These requirements may be waived if they conflict with historic preservation requirements.

Mixed-Income Diverse Communities: The LEED ND pilot included two credits, Diverse Communities and Mixed Income. These two credits were combined into a single credit, Mixed-Income Diverse Communities, in the final version. The change is important because diversity of housing types is a structural way to ensure elements of affordability. Some of the income levels were adjusted from the pilot and a synergy point was added which allows an extra point for communities with a high  level of diverse housing units.

Wetland and Water Body Conservation Credits: This is a change that recognizes the importance of human connection with nature. The strict buffer size was relaxed to allow minor improvements within the buffer to enhance appreciation for the wetland or water. These include improvements such as boat launches, elevated boardwalks, and trails.

The LEED ND Scorecard Overview

The LEED ND Reference Guide is in draft form and will be available in early 2010. In the meantime, many details are available on the rating system and checklist.

Similar to the other LEED 2009 v3 rating systems, LEED ND has 100 possible points, plus 10 possible bonus points. Certification levels are as follows: Certified 40+ points, Silver 50+ points, Gold 60+ points, Platinum 80+ points.

Primary Categories:

• Smart Location and Linkage (27 possible points): Encourages communities to consider location, transportation alternatives, and preservation of sensitive lands while also discouraging sprawl.

• Neighborhood Pattern and Design (44 possible points): Emphasizes vibrant, equitable communities that are healthy, walkable, and mixed-use.

• Green Infrastructure and Buildings (29 possible points): Promotes the design and construction of buildings and infrastructure that reduce energy and water use, while promoting more sustainable use of materials, reuse of existing and historic structures, and other sustainable best practices.

Bonus Categories:

• Innovation and Design Process (6 possible points): Recognizes exemplary and innovative performance reaching beyond the existing credits in the rating system, as well as the value of including an accredited professional on the design team.

• Regional Priority (4 possible points): Encourages projects to focus on earning credits of significance to the project’s local environment.

For more information, call 1-800-795-1746 or contact the Green Building Certification Institute via their web site

Morgan O’Donnell reviews the ways she would like to take a proactive role in the environment through work and defines the three categories of jobs that she is interested in pursuing.

by Morgan O’Donnell - Read about her search for a sustainable life at Red Raven Circling.

Defining Your Goals and Search

Maybe you recently watched An Inconvenient Truth or read Hot, Flat, and Crowded or maybe you grew up with parents who encouraged a respect of the land and investigation into ideas such as solar panels. It could even be that your child recently came home and asked you what your family is doing to stop global warming. Whatever the reason, you’ve decided that you want to do more than recycle your soda cans, play (Lil) Green Patch on Facebook, and buy Seventh Generation toilet paper. You have decided you want to have a green job in the green industry. Before you fire up the computer and start sending out your resume, you might spend a little time thinking about exactly what kind of job you want.

Once I decided to take a proactive role in the environment through work, I realized there were different ways that I could approach it. After several months of looking at jobs and organizations, I came up with 3 categories of jobs: eco-friendly, green, or sustainable. Here is how I define these categories.

Eco-friendly – You work for a company that has environmentally friendly policies, but your job does not directly interact with or impact the environment. For example, I consider my current job to be eco-friendly. I work for a large university (aka an academic city), which is taking significant steps to become greener from constructing LEED certified buildings to hiring a director of sustainability to switching to green cleaning products for the custodial staff. However, my position is in an academic program and my only real impact is through ordering environmentally friendly office supplies and schlepping all the used plastic bottles people leave in our offices down to the recycling container. Additionally, I make enough money to feed myself, but not enough to trade in my rusty, gas-guzzling jalopy for a hybrid Honda Civic. Plus, if I ever hope to install solar panels, I’d probably have to work another 20 years.

Green – A green job involves working for an organization whose primary focus is the environment, clean energy/technology, etc. A possible example of this might be working for a nonprofit activist organization where you are expected to work 50-60 hours per week, driving all over the place in your beat up, gas-guzzler. You probably earn barely enough to feed yourself and that half-starved, semi-feral cat living on your doorstep.

Some people thrive in this kind of job. I do not. I worry about all the pollution I am creating while driving my jalopy all over meanwhile trying to calculate in my head exactly how much gas will be left on the planet once I’m done with the driving. And, even though my family sometimes gets tired of my attempts to green them, they still like to have meals with me on a regular basis. Also, just for the record, I’d like to earn enough to comfortably feed myself (this includes regular doses of chocolate) and a clowder (this is a real word!) of feral cats as well as be able to save up enough to trade in my gas-guzzler for something more efficient.

Sustainable – A sustainable job involves either working in a direct impact position with an eco-friendly company or working for a green organization, but the distinguishing element (for me) is that the company takes a holistic view of sustainability. I think some examples will make clearer what I mean. Here are two possible scenarios that my fevered green brain has dreamed up.

1. Still working for my university, I am now working in the Office of Sustainability where I help coordinate educational events, do outreach, and assist the director in researching ways to make the university even greener.I am paid enough to feed myself and the cats and have the option of working one day a week from home.I am able to ride the city bus to campus or drive my hybrid Honda Civic, which I can now afford. In my sustainable dream job, my boss also understands that I do indeed have a life outside of work (including volunteer work). Additionally, she or he allows/encourages me to participate in the university wellness plan because she or he realizes that sustainability encompasses much more than just the environment.
2. I am hired by a local, nonprofit organization as an outreach/public relations person where I blog, manage the website, do web/social marketing, and design/write the publicity and educational materials. I primarily work from home (thereby saving gas and preventing more pollution), going into the office only once or twice per week. I am paid enough to feed myself, the cats, and to afford the hybrid Honda Civic. My boss realizes that I am a professional who will get the job done even though I may actually be updating the website and writing the blog while in my pajamas. This boss also understands that although I work primarily from home it doesn’t mean that I am on call 24 hours 7 days a week. For my part, I understand that should the office manager need to be out for a week for surgery or a trip to Hawaii, I will need to work at the office that week to help provide office coverage. My boss knows that I will do this without griping (or possibly only whining in my head). I also realize that there may be some weeks/activities that require me to be in the office, travel locally, or work evenings or weekends.

Telecommuting as a Green Option

In my second scenario above, I talk about a possible position, which allows telecommuting for part of the week. In this scenario, the organization was a local organization and presumably, I would meet and interview for the position in the traditional way. However, what if you want to apply for a position that is totally telecommuting and the organization’s headquarters isn’t even in your time zone? This is certainly an option, especially as more and more organizations realize the potential savings in money and benefit to the employee. However, I recommend that you check out The Search for a Sustainable Occupation Part II -  Green ≠ Ethical next week before you start applying.  I will share with you a few of my own green telecommuting stories…or should I say nightmares?

In the meantime, I’d love to hear about what kind of a sustainable occupation you are interested in.

FEATURED GREEN MBA PROGRAM

The UMassOnline Certificate in Sustainability Studies helps students gain an understanding of the theory and practice of sustainability. This program is available for both full time students and working professionals. Sustainability Studies looks to discover and examine humanity’s philosophies and practices, past and present, as they relate to the natural and social world, and consider what new or alternative philosophies and practices might be capable of providing a sustainable, balanced, and ethical future for the planet and its inhabitants. Click here, for more information about the UMassOnline Certificate in Sustainability Studies.

As sustainability gains traction around globe, in society at large, well as in the business community, the demand for courses and programs focused on sustainability and social responsibility has increased dramatically;  and business schools are stepping up to the plate. The Aspen Institute recently released the 2009-2010 edition of Beyond Grey Pinstripes, a biennial survey and popular alternative ranking of full-time MBA programs that integrate sustainability and social responsibility into the curriculum. This year, 149 business schools from 24 countries participated in the survey, up from 111 schools in 18 countries.

by Tracey de Morsella, the Green Economy Post

The Aspen Institute recently released the 2009-2010 edition of Beyond Grey Pinstripes, a biennial survey and popular alternative ranking of full-time MBA programs that integrate sustainability and social responsibility into the curriculum.  This year, 149 business schools from 24 countries participated in the survey, up from 111 schools in 18 countries. Beyond Grey Pinstripes is one of the few MBA rankings that look beyond reputation and test scores to measure how well schools are preparing their students for the environmental, social and ethical complexities of modern-day business.

School highlights from this Beyond Grey Pinstripes survey cycle are featured in a new guidebook for prospective MBA students, titled The Sustainable MBA: The 2010-2011 Guide to Business Schools That are Making a Difference.   The guide Providing highlights on over 150 MBA programs located in 20 plus countries-including course offerings, activities, clubs, joint degrees, and career resources-this book is a must-have for any prospective business student interested in creating positive change in the world.

For the first time, the Schulich School of Business at York University in Toronto, Canada, ranked first in the survey, getting high marks for the extraordinary number of courses available to students that contain environmental, social and ethical content as well as for the number of relevant scholarly articles being published by the School’s faculty members.

The Top 20 Schools Globally

1.    York (Schulich)
2.    U. of Michigan (Ross)
3.    Yale School of Management
4.    Stanford Graduate School of Business
5.    Notre Dame (Mendoza)
6.    UC Berkeley (Haas)
7.    RSM Erasmus
8.    NYU (Stern)
9.    IE Business School
10.    Columbia Business School
11.    U. of Virginia (Darden)
12.    Cornell (Johnson)
13.    GWU School of Business
14.    U. of North Carolina (Kenan-Flagler)
15.    Simmons School of Management
16.    Duke (Fuqua)
17.    Wisconsin School of Business
18.    Duquesne (Donahue)
19.    U. of New Mexico (Anderson)
20.    U. of Denver (Daniels)

“The best MBA students move quickly into the front ranks of business–and the attitudes and values they bring to the table are deeply influenced by their time in business education,” said Judith Samuelson, Executive Director of the Aspen Institute’s Business and Society Program.  “Will they accept the status quo or act on their passion about the positive role business can play at the intersection of corporate profit and social impact?  The schools that are competitive in the Beyond Grey Pinstripes ranking are the real trailblazers–they assure that students have the right skill as well as the will to make things happen.”

“In these challenging economic times, the general public, not just scholars, are questioning whether the established models of business are broken,” said Rich Leimsider, Director of the Aspen Institute’s Center for Business Education.  “Beyond Grey Pinstripes schools are thoughtfully pursuing new approaches.  They are preparing students who take a more holistic view of business success, one that measures financial results as well as social and environmental impacts.”

As sustainability gains traction around globe, in society at large, well as in the business community, the demand for courses and programs focused on sustainability and social responsibility has increased dramatically;  and business schools are stepping up to the plate.   The percentage of schools surveyed that require students to take a course dedicated to business and society issues has increased dramatically over time.  In 2001, 34% had the requirement.  Now, 69%  equire students to take a course dedicated to business and society issues.  Since 2007, the number of elective courses offered per school that contain some degree of  social, environmental or ethical content has increased by 12%, from approximately 16.6 to     18.6 electives.The proportion of schools offering general social, environmental or ethical content in required  core courses has increased in many business disciplines–Accounting, Economics, Finance,     Management, Marketing, Operations Management–since the last survey in 2007.

However, the percentage of schools requiring content in a core course on how mainstream    business can act as an engine for social or environmental change remains low, at 30%.  Only approximately 7% of faculty at the surveyed business schools published scholarly articles in     peer-reviewed, business journals that address social, environmental or ethical issues.

Relevant data collected in the survey, as well as the entire “Global 100” list of business schools, is available at: www.BeyondGreyPinstripes.org.

FEATURED GREEN MBA PROGRAM

Argosy University Master of Business Administration – Sustainable Management Concentration. Argosy’s Master of Business Administration (MBA) online program offered by the College of Business emphasizes leadership, action, and solutions. The Sustainable Management concentration stresses the development and implementation of sustainable business practices to create a competitive advantage. Our program enhances your professional abilities and gives you the skills sought by contemporary businesses. You can learn to identify challenges and opportunities, draw on technology and information, and use advanced analytical and planning approaches that position you to create positive changes for an organization. Click here, for more information about the Argosy University Master of Business Administration – Sustainable Management Concentration.

The Green Equity Toolkit is a 44 page free downloadable document developed by the Applied Research Center , in conjunction with several organizational allies.  The toolkit includes Principles, Goals, Outcomes, Strategies, Success Indicators and examples for making race, gender and economic equity a priority in green-collar job creation.

The Applied Research Center’s goal is to popularize the need for racial justice and prepare people to fight for it. This toolkit is meant for local governments and organizations in order to build fairness and inclusion into all green project planning and spending. The toolkit highlights green equity success stories as well as practical steps for how labor and community organizers can advocate for equity and inclusion in the green economy.

The Applied Research Center also offers a Webinar and Video to accompany the toolkit.  The toolkit will also be supplemented by a six-part Case-Study series highlighting green economy successes. The first study, “Greening Los Angeles: A Model Case Study of Green Retrofits of City Buildings” profiles SCOPE (feature in the Webinar), which won passage of a green retrofit ordinance for municipal buildings that will create high quality jobs for communities of color.

The Green Equity Toolkit provides a framework for addressing race, gender and economic equity in initiatives and also guidance for designing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating initiatives that establish green-collar jobs. The Toolkit is meant to be used in order to build community support for equity, engage public officials in equity and to encourage the government and the public to stay informed. The goals of the toolkit are to reach economic equity, gender equity and racial equity through numerous equity strategies.

The Toolkit Urges Officials to Support:

1)      Maximization and equitable  distribution of high-quality green jobs

2)      Expansion of employer-sponsored benefits

3)      Elimination of employment barriers and bias faced by disadvantaged communities

4)      Expanded education opportunities and workforce development for disadvantaged communities

5)      Race and gender parity in hiring for high-quality green jobs

6)      Race and gender parity in contracting and green entrepreneurship

7)      Creation of healthy and safe workplaces and surrounding environment

8)      Maximization and equitable distribution of local hiring, contracting and high-quality, career-track green jobs

Contact:

The Applied Research Center
32 Broadway, Suite 1801
New York, NY 10004
Phone: 212.513.7925
Fax: 212.513.1367
Phone: arcny@arc.org

For more information:

http://www.arc.org/content/view/1139/36/

Discover the 10 most important factors you should be using to select a green mba program and how to use them to select the right program to put you on a successful career track.

by Chris de Morsella, Green Economy Post

If you are exploring the option of a green MBA program it is important to look beyond simple ranking metrics of a school and the green MBA program(s) that it offers.  This very important life choice is one that warrants a careful and in depth examination.  Here are 10 important factors to consider when evaluating your options.  They will help you narrow your focus to the select schools and green MBA programs that are a good fit for you.

If you want more information or are not sure why a green MBA might be a good option for improving your career prospects,  read our article Thinking About a Green MBA? It delves  into the many benefits,  and some of the key trends indicating that green MBA hiring may be on the rise.

1. Clearly Understand and Define Your Own Objectives and Goals

Before investigating any programs,  begin by carefully defining what it is that you want to accomplish by completing a green MBA program.  For some of you no doubt this is a no brainer, but it is amazing how many often very intelligent people tend to gloss over taking the time to think this through.  Be sure to put these thoughts down in a clearly organized manner.  This will help you bring focus to your  search.

The Types of Questions to Ask:

What are you career objectives? Where are you on your career trajectory? Are you about to graduate or are you already a working professional looking to switch to a green career, or to further green your credentials in order to help you achieve your goals?  What is the area or areas within the green economy and sustainability that you are most interested in?  There are a great number specialty areas to consider. For example, popular specialty areas encompass a wide range including, but not limited to: green supply chain management,  energy efficiency, renewable energy development,  green design and packaging, green building, carbon accounting, carbon footprint management, environmental management, product life cycles, waste management …you get the picture.    Many of the different green MBA programs and certificate programs being offered cater to some quite specialized areas.  For example, Marylhurst University offers four sustainability specializations:

• Energy Policy & Administration- Provides a detailed study of environmental law. It also deals with the policy and issues surrounding water availability and use, land use, waste disposal, and other concerns of sustainability-minded businesses. Students also study and research the historical, economic, business, socio-cultural, and political factors that have affected energy policy in the United States.
• Green Development - The Marylhurst green development concentration addresses what it takes to build sustainable communities and create an environmentally friendly and socially conscious green building business presence. Students explore the environmental factors, government regulations, and laws that influence building plans and construction efforts, as well as the economic and social forces that impact urban planning and development.
• Natural & Organic Resources - The natural and organic resources concentration covers the practices and procedures associated with organic farming and ranching, and the effect these foods have on individuals as well as communities.
• Renewable Energy – This program examines how fuel alternatives and renewable energy sources can positively impact  business planning and marketing efforts, while providing a new perspective on energy consumption. Students learn how to build a strategy for operational management that accounts for energy use, supply chain management, production, inventory and Total Quality Management (TQM).

2. Factoring in The School’s Reputation

It is important to remember that the reputation of a traditional MBA might not necessarily lend itself to the reputation of the school’s green MBA program.  A school may have a well respected traditional MBA program, but this by itself does not mean that its green MBA program is necessarily as well known or respected.  When you are evaluating a sustainable or green MBA program research how that specific program is viewed by the business and professional communities.

Perhaps one of the schools you are looking at may provide an excellent education, but only be regionally recognized.  The wider recognition of the program you choose becomes a more important consideration if you are going to be relying on it to help you to get a new job in another part of the country or the world, where the school may be relatively unknown.

3. How Green Is a Given Green MBA Program?

Be aware that some programs that label themselves as green MBA programs only provide some basic sustainability instruction that has been tacked onto a general business program.  It is crucial that you know what you expect to get from your green MBA before you enroll and what the program actually offers beyond the title.   Try to find out in as fine detail as you can about the programs’ coursework and related real world experience programs offered.  This kind of in depth evaluation can often also help you in defining your own objectives.  (Don’t forget to check out our Directory of Green MBA Programs and Certificate Programs.  There are over 80+ programs listed.)

4. Does the Green MBA (or Certificate) Program Match Your Career Objectives and Strengths?

Make sure the program’s strengths matches what you want to focus on in school.   A few things to do that can help you make this determination are:

• Look at the syllabus to see if it includes topics that are relevant to your career objectives.
• What electives are offered and are they of interest to you.
• Is the course content suited to your particular needs and abilities?
• Does the program offer practical training and real life experiences that will help you as well?

5. Look at the Types of Programs the Schools Offer

How do you plan to complete your program? Most business schools offer a full-time, two-year program.   One variation on this is Harvard University’s MBA program. While the school does not have a sustainability specialty, they integrate sustainability  courses throughout the entire MBA curriculum.  Another unique approach are schools that are established entirely around sustainability  Two examples are Bainbridge Institute and Presidio Graduate School.

Attending full-time for two years may not fit your schedule– particularly if you have a job that you do not want to quit.  You should focus on green MBA (or certificate) programs that are offered on a part-time basis or offered as online programs that will allow you to work and study at the same time. For many people, online Green MBA programs are the best options to pursue, especially when in the middle of a busy career and busy life.  (See our directory of 18 online green MBA programs).

Some traditional programs with sustainability offerings are working to adapt their programs and provide students with additional training by offering specialized certificate programs.  These programs are also excellent tools for people who already have an MBA, who are looking for ways to green their credentials. Look at how these different formats will impact on your lifestyle.

Going for an MBA program that is offered by a top A grade business school, which has the highest ratings may seem like the right course of action, however you will not reap the benefits those institutions offer if their programs do not fit with your lifestyle. If you are unable to stay with the program or complete the course, then even the best of programs will do you little good. Ask yourself how these different formats will affect your ability to balance work and studying, affect your family life and whether you will be forced to give up working full-time.

The following are some examples of the variety of formats provided by many of the schools.

• Argosy University. Argosy University has an extensive online program, but also has campuses in 19 U.S. cities.  Argosy maintains an online student social networking community and students are provided with a student advisor, a faculty mentor and a liaison at career services.  It provides on demand tutoring and networking through their global professional network.
• Goddard College. Goddard College has a low-residency socially responsible business and sustainable communities program and students are offered an optional one-year, 24-credit certificate of graduate study.
• Green Mountain College. Green Mountain College also offers an online MBA in Sustainable Business Practices that requires a brief residency designed to introduce students to faculty and to each other. Following the residency, a series of six-week online courses are taken sequentially, so students can focus on the content of each course as they proceed through the program.  They also offer a certificate option which provides a four-week exploration into the theory and real world implementation of sustainable business.
• Marlboro College. Marlboro College MBA in Managing for Sustainability is taught in person and online, with students and faculty coming together for three days each month. Community Sessions offer students an opportunity to participate in college decisions and offer program evaluations. The learning community created during these face-to-face sessions continues online, using collaborative learning tools.
• Walden University. Walden has an Online MBA with a concentration in sustainable futures designed to be flexible to accommodate working professionals.  While it is an online program, it features internships, practicums, field study and study abroad options. Walden also offers with small study group sessions that communicate via threaded discussions and options for in-person academic residencies, students experience collaboration online and in-Person. Online interactive forums are held regularly and archived for on-demand viewing later for those who have schedule conflicts.  Mentors, advisors and tutors work with students via phone and the Internet.

6. Student Support Within The School

There is a growing trend among MBA programs to have support mechanisms put in place for students.  The support a school provides can make a big difference in what the students get out of a programs and in some cases even determine their degree of success.  So look into this issues to determine the resources and tools each school provides. Find out if journals be accessed online or if will you be forced to trek out late at night after work to gain access to research.

If it is an online program, look into whether they provide on-demand resources or active social media platforms to facilitate online networking.  Find out whether they have internship or mentoring programs to facilitate you applying the knowledge gained to the real world.  Check for the availability of career services, tutoring, and other student assistance programs designed to get students though life changing events.

7. Look at The  Program’s Placement Stats

It is important to pay particular attention to a school’s placement stats.  But keep in mind that since so many of these programs are new, there may not be enough data to make an informed assessment.  When this is the case, pay particular attention to the companies and industry leaders that have alliances and partnering relationships with the school.  Look into their track record with placement in other specialized programs they have created.  You should also pay close attention to where alumni have landed.  In addition to using the schools to conduct this research, don’t forget about using social networks like Linkedin and JustMeans to get these answers.

Part of the evaluation process should include looking at the companies that regularly recruit from the program. For example, if your objective for completing a green MBA is to help you get on a career path in corporate sustainability, but corporate sustainability departments are not recruiting at the school, then don’t expect your post-green MBA job search to be easy.

8. Rankings Can Provide Insight into Green MBA Programs

When investigating green MBA programs, consider looking into their rankings as a means of  finding out more about a program. This will not only give you a way to assess the quality of the MBA programs you area evaluating, but also it will help you get an idea of the schools that recruiters may be paying close attention to. School ranking is also an excellent branding tool for schools.  This serves the interests of its students as well when it comes to how the hiring managers view the program. Unfortunately, green MBA programs have not yet garnered the attention on mainstream lists that their more traditional counterparts enjoy.  In the sustainability arena, it might pay to look at specialized alternative ranking lists. There are two that most people in sustainability look to:

• Netimpact   2009 Business as UNusual: The Student Guide to Graduate Programs -  The guide was established to support prospective students searching for socially/environmentally sustainable business programs.
• Beyond Grey Pinstripes – The biennial survey by the Aspen Institute of survey and and ranking of business schools that integrating issues of social and environmental stewardship into curricula and research.

9. How Much Will the Green MBA Program Cost You?

MBA programs cost a lot of money and green MBA programs are no exception. It is important to keep in mind that half of the return on investment (ROI) equation is the size of investment itself. Will this MBA, which is quite costly, be a justified expense, when all is said and done?  You need to makes sure that the program fees, living expenses, travel costs, and other expenses involved in the particular program do not put an immense financial burden on you. If you take out a loan make sure that you will be able to handle the interest on the loan and factor in how long it will take you to be in a position to repay it.  Most schools maintain departments with dedicated personnel to help you address these issues.  When applying to these programs it is up to you to reach out to these people.

10.  Identifying Alternative Ways to Pay for Your Education

Some other important considerations might be determining what grants may be available or are on offer to you from a given institution, or for some, whether an employer will cover or partially cover the costs of a given program. These factors may tip the scales in one direction or the other.  Along these lines, investigate what grants, scholarships and additional student aid programs are available for green MBA programs you are interested in and are evaluating.  Finding grants, fellowships or scholarships that cover even a portion of the cost of a green MBA program can significantly reduce the long term overall cost of the program when compared with purely loan based financing especially when factoring in the additional burden imposed by compounded interest rates on the loans.

Since sustainability is a relatively new MBA specialty, there are not many scholarships or fellowships designed specifically for this specialty. However, there are plenty of award programs for MBA programs in general.  One of the best ways to find relevant scholarships, fellowships and aid, is to check into the actual schools. Many of these schools have professional staff who will work with prospective students to track the best financial aid options available.  Another approach is to research the scholarships of local business and sustainability organizations.

Of course there are many other factors not mentioned here that will go into your decision making process.  Every person has unique expectations, desires, needs and motivations.  What we have presented here hopefully will help you form the basis of your own personal selection process and help you clarify what some of the important criteria are in selecting a green MBA program that is suited to your needs and circumstances.

Our hope is that we will have helped you become a stronger applicant, and also given you some good advice that prevents you from making a big mistake with an investment as large, in time, effort and money as a green graduate business education.

FEATURED GREEN MBA PROGRAM

Walden University Online MBA Concentration in Sustainable Futures. Students will develop the skills to manage large-scale change that adds value, contributes to a sustainable future, and responds to the needs of both organizations and society. Students will also explore ways to understand and improve relationships among individuals, organizations, and communities. This program teaches how to incorporate global awareness into planning, operations, and decision-making at all levels of an organization. Graduates will be able to develop innovative social responsibility practices as they help organizations respond in sustainable ways to their communities and the world. Click here, for more information about the Walden University Online MBA Concentration in Sustainable Futures.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Weatherization and Intergovernmental Program is hosting two Webinars tomorrow, Wednesday, November 18. The first targets recipients of Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants (EECBG), and the second targets state and local officials interested in the role of policy in renewable energy market development.

Introduction to Property-Assessed Clean Energy Financing Programs

Wednesday, November 18
1:00 – 2:15 p.m. Eastern Standard Time

Property-assessed clean energy (PACE) financing programs enable local governments to raise money through the issuance of bonds or other sources of capital to fund energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. The financing is repaid over a set number of years through a “special tax” or “assessment” on the property tax bill of only those property owners who voluntarily choose to participate in the program. There is little or no up-front cost to the property owner, and if the property is sold before the end of the repayment period, the new owner inherits both the repayment obligation and the financed improvements.

This Webinar will describe how PACE programs work, and allow you to hear from the program managers on the front lines who have launched the first PACE programs in the country.

The presenters will be:
• Cisco DeVries, Renewable Funding LLC
• Ann Livingston, Boulder County, Colorado
• Dorian Dale, Babylon, New York
• John Haig, Sonoma County, California
• Mike Martin, San Francisco, California

To register and for event information: Event Information: Introduction to Property-Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Programs

State of the States 2009: Renewable Energy Development and the Role of Policy

Wednesday, November 18
3:00 – 4:15 p.m. Eastern Standard Time

The DOE Technical Assistance Project (TAP) for state and local officials is offering a Web seminar that shows state rankings for adoption of renewable energy technologies and gives an overview of state policies that support renewable energy development.

The presenter will be: Joyce McLaren, senior energy analyst at the DOE National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) where she specializes in analysis of the impacts of policy on renewable energy market development.

You can find more information about the presenter as well as links to background materials and reports on the TAP Webinar section of the DOE Weatherization and Intergovernmental Program Web site.

Click here to register for the: State of the States 2009: Renewable Energy Development and the Role of Policy

The clean tech sector has become one of the most exciting areas of opportunities for job seekers.  While venture capital investment was down in clean tech during the first half of 09, over the past couple of months that trend has reversed, and this year’s stimulus plan is designed to make up for it. To jump start your career, get clear on your focus, learn about the industry, concentrate your networking efforts and get involved.

by Frank Marquardt, Author of The Solar Job Guide and Green Careers (Wetfeet Insiders Guide.)

The clean tech sector has become one of the most exciting areas of opportunities for job seekers, and with good reason. The industry has been receiving significant private investment, including $8.4 billion globally from venture capitalists in 2008 alone.

And while venture capital investment was down in clean tech during the first half of 09, over the past couple of months that trend has reversed and  this year’s stimulus plan is designed to make up for it, targeting additional billions for a variety of clean tech sectors, including $4.5 billion to modernize the electricity grid with smart-grid technologies, $6.3 billion in state energy efficiency and clean-energy grants, $6 billion in loan guarantees for renewable energy systems, and $5 billion to weatherize homes.

Those are obviously big numbers, and a lot of that money will go to payroll. But that doesn’t solve the central problem of somebody looking for work: Where do you start? Here’s the advice I’ve heard over and over again from recruiters and hiring managers working within clean tech.

Get Clear on Your Focus

Anybody who says they’re looking for a job in “clean tech” hasn’t done their homework. Clean tech isn’t a single industry; it’s a bunch of them. Are you looking at jobs related to the energy grid, in the wind industry, in solar? If you’re looking in the solar industry, do you want a job working at a technology company, a construction firm, or doing project finance? If you want to work at a technology start-up, do you want to work with photovoltaics or concentrating solar power (CSP)? If at a CSP, do you want to work at a company that makes parabolic dishes, solar troughs, or power towers?

My point is that each clean tech sector is complicated, with a wide range of technologies and sometimes challenging-to-understand supply chains. You’re going to need to do your homework to figure out the type of company, and type of job, you’re targeting. The clearer you are about what you want to do, the more effective you’ll be in communicating why you’re the person to do it.

Learn about the Industry
If you’re transitioning from another industry or only learned about clean tech in the last year, then you’re probably not going to get clear on your focus overnight, so why don’t you enjoy the process. Take some time to get to know the different industries. This is networking 101: Go to events, take part in conferences, sign up to hear speakers. Read green blogs and websites. What are the technologies that excite you? What areas of the industry seem most promising? Develop some opinions on what you think needs to be done, and why you’re the person to do it.

Fortunately, most cities have a lot green informational events. Plug into these. They provide a great place to meet people, learn what they’re doing, and make some connections that could help you throughout your job search. You’ll have fun and might make some new friends in the process.

A couple great places to start with your education is to check to see if there’s a local Green Drinks, which is a monthly networking event that takes place in most cities these days, or Eco-Tuesday event as well, which is a networking and educational opportunity for would-be green professionals.

Get Involved
If your city doesn’t have a Green Drinks or Eco-Tuesday, consider starting one. (Select “Start Green Drinks” on the Green Drinks website or the “Ambassadors” tab at the Eco-Tuesday site.) The green movement has an entrepreneurial energy at its core, and hiring managers want to see that you understand the industry but also are involved in the wider movement. By volunteering, interning, and getting involved in what’s going on, you’ll demonstrate your interest, gain new understanding and insight, and build your network.

Making It in Clean Tech
The green movement is ultimately about making the world a better place. But clean tech companies are businesses, and all the warm fuzzies in the world won’t get you a job at one. However, developing a connection to the larger community where you can communicate your solid business skills, deep understanding of the industry, job you want in it, and passion for the work will help you find a role in this rapidly emerging field.

The U.S. Green Building Council predicts that green building will support 7.9 million U.S. jobs and pump $554 billion into the American economy.  They found that the green building sector generates $2.6 trillion in annual revenue, employ approximately 14 million people, come from 29 industry sectors and include 46 Fortune 100 companies.

by Tracey de Morsella, Green Economy Post

U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and Booz Allen Hamilton released an extremely encouraging study at the Greenbuild Conference yesterday. In spite of bleak economic outlook, green building will support 7.9 million U.S. jobs and pump $554 billion into the American economy – including $396 billion in wages – over the next four years. Analysis from the study also revealed that green construction spending currently supports more than 2 million American jobs and generates more than $100 billion in gross domestic product and wages.

An assessment of the U.S. Green Building Council’s 19,000-plus member organizations and found that they generate $2.6 trillion in annual revenue, employ approximately 14 million people, come from 29 industry sectors and include 46 Fortune 100 companies. The study found that the economic impact of the total green construction market from 2000 to 2008 contributed $178 billion to U.S. gross domestic product; created or saved 2.4 million direct, indirect and induced jobs; and generated $123 billion in wages.

The study considered the total value of green buildings and the results include workers from the architects who design them to the construction laborers who pour their foundations to the truck drivers who deliver the materials, in recognition of how extensive the impact of green building is.

You can download full report at the U.S. Green Building Council web site.

Recommended Green Career Resources:

SIX STRATEGIES TO FIND YOUR GREEN CAREER – This free ebook by Carol McClelland PhD is a step-by-step process helping green career seekers use their passions, interests, experience, and training to plug into the green economy.

THE COMPLETE GREEN JOB GUIDE 2009: SECRETS FOR GETTING THE JOB YOUR WANT – Discover How To Unlock The Booming Green Economy For Your Job Search And Future Financial Security with the 10 Breakthrough Steps You Need To Know To Find And Land A Green Job Quickly.

CLEANTECHIES RESUME AND COVER LETTER WRITING SERVICE – Cleantechies help job seekers ease the transition from mainstream to Cleantech. Learn More!

This is a round-up of on-the-spot interviews with job seekers who attended the job fair at the Greenbuild Conference that is taking place this week. Attendees were asked what strategies were they using to land a green building job.

by Jessalyn Dingwell, Green Economy Post


On Tuesday, job seekers gathered at the Phoenix Convention Center in search of green jobs in the building industry. The US Green Building Council organized the job fair as a kick-off to the Greenbuild Conference.  Greenbuild is the world’s largest conference and expo dedicated to green building. Companies representing a wide variety of specialties, including, architecture, engineering, LEED consulting, and building waste management welcomed job seekers at the job fair.

The fair attracted job seekers from a variety of backgrounds and experiences, from college students testing the waters, to experienced executives searching for new adventures. All of the job seekers I spoke with emphasized the importance of finding appropriate, targeted groups and associations through which they could network and exchange information. Many people found the job fair provided a forum not just to submit a resume for a potential job, but also to form professional contacts with each other. A number of attendees owned their own small companies and were attending simply to gauge the green building market and get a better sense of the market. The following attendees shared their personal tips on searching for a green job.

John Bugg

John-BuggJohn takes a systematic and proactive approach and treats his job search like the outside sales position he hopes to find in the green building industry. He believes his LEED-NC certification is critical in finding a position but making the right contacts is trickier. Here is John’s tried and true strategy for making great networking contacts:

•    Step one: Identify companies that are working on projects you are interested in regardless of whether or not they appear to be hiring.
•    Step two: Contact someone at the identified companies. John said he rarely has a direct connection to someone in these organizations. Instead, he emails a contact introducing himself, letting them know why he finds the company interesting, and requesting an in-person discussion for more information about the company or industry. He does not ask for a job at this point! His goal is that through these connections he will find an unadvertised position or simply make a positive impression on a professional in his industry.
•   Step three: Stay in touch. If he has a great conversation with someone at a company that doesn’t have any available positions at the time, he maintains contact with them. This way the contact will think of John he hears of a job opening.

Amrit Kaur

Amrit Kaur. As a recent Carnegie Mellon graduate with a degree in Architecture, Amrit is searching for a job that will combine architecture, sustainability and construction. She spends a limited amount of time searching for opportunities online and believes her time is more efficiently spent at job fairs, even those that are more general in scope than the very focused Greenbuild fair. Also, part of her job search strategy was achieving the LEED-AP certification and networking through the American Society of Civil Engineers.

John Regan

John Regan. John is a LEED AP with extensive experience in business development, primarily in the information technology industry. He has received numerous awards and honors for his work. John is truly passionate about green building techniques and he uses this passion to drive his job search. He finds a number of ways to demonstrate both his commitment and experience in green building, for instance, not just joining his local USBGC chapter, but actively contributing and serving on various committees.

Annie Fulton

Annie Fulton Annie is a junior in college who attended the job fair in search of a summer internship related to sustainable development policy.  She has not found online internet searching useful and instead focuses on networking with family, professors, and friends. She thinks it is important to be flexible by searching for unpaid internships and internships that are outside her home state of Arkansas.  Also, she is currently taking a class at the University of Arkansas designed to help students pass LEED accreditation tests.

Steve Watters

Steve Watters. Steve has a background in sales management, with some history working in the construction industry. He limits his online job searching to sites that focuses exclusively on job seekers with a high level of experience such as the TheLadders.com. He is also working with a recruiter. Steve’s primary search strategy is networking through formal groups such as the Executives Network and the Southwest Jobs Network and informal networking through a variety of volunteer organizations

Clea Senneville

Clea Senneville. Clea recently graduated from Arizona State University’s Master’s Program in Sustainability. She has carefully tailored her job search to reflect her thesis in monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of social enterprises. She works with a mentor to network and keeps in touch with professors and students she worked with in school. Recently, Clea contacted someone for an informational interview and she ended up providing valuable information for the interviewee. This rewarding experience helps her think of networking as an exchange of ideas and information on both sides, not simply one person asking for help and giving nothing in return.

Christina Lerner

Christina Lerner. Christina is LEED AP and an experienced small business owner, with a diverse background that includes work as a compliance and project manager in the construction, casino and retail sectors, as well as work as a contractor, painter. She is keeping close tabs on the most valuable certifications in the green building industry. As current rater for Build It Green, Christina uses this experience get a sense of the jobs that might fit with her current skill set. She performs HERS home energy ratings and is gauging the market to determine the tradeoffs between working for herself or joining a company.

Recommended Green Career Resources:

SIX STRATEGIES TO FIND YOUR GREEN CAREER – This free ebook by Carol McClelland PhD is a step-by-step process helping green career seekers use their passions, interests, experience, and training to plug into the green economy.

THE COMPLETE GREEN JOB GUIDE 2009: SECRETS FOR GETTING THE JOB YOUR WANT – Discover How To Unlock The Booming Green Economy For Your Job Search And Future Financial Security with the 10 Breakthrough Steps You Need To Know To Find And Land A Green Job Quickly.

CLEANTECHIES RESUME AND COVER LETTER WRITING SERVICE – Cleantechies help job seekers ease the transition from mainstream to Cleantech. Learn More!

Stephen Hinton provides insight into what traits green companies are looking for in candidates and what skills and traits they expect to see on their resume.  He lays out the six pieces of important information that you need on your resume to stand out and get hired.

by Stephen Hinton, Managing Director of Hinton Human Capital

Over the past few weeks, I have received a number of calls and e-mails from job seekers asking the following questions: What are green companies looking for in a candidate? What qualifications, skills and experiences should be on my resume? Here are some thoughts for job seekers to consider:

What Do They Want?

Green companies are looking to hire people who can help them meet their goals of profitability, building market share and protecting the planet. While this seems like a cut and dry ideal, it really is not. Let me explain. Most green companies are start-up businesses which must show a profit within a certain period of time. Therefore, their hiring managers are under pressure to find people with well rounded skill sets who can work in multiple roles and learn the primary aspects of their business very quickly. The key for job seekers to get the hiring manager’s attention is  a well written resume which showcases their versatility along with the following skills and traits:

1. The ability to create and manage business relationships: You might be thinking “Didn’t he mention this in a previous article?” You are right. However in this particular scenario, hiring managers are not just looking for those who can sell. They are also looking for those have relationships with banks; hedge and sovereign wealth funds; government officials; potential joint venture partners and suppliers. These types of relationships are required to maintain funding levels and facilitate delivery of products, projects and services. To get an interview, your resume should show a track record winning repeat business; procuring resources or resolving  problems through your business relationships.

2.Technical Skills: Many green companies are in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) driven industries. These companies want to hire people who can use their technical knowledge to solve problems and have a positive impact on the environment. If you are STEM professional, it will be important for your resume to communicate how your expertise has solved a problem and delivered sustainable results.

3. Financial Management: Accounting and financial regulations are evolving to reflect a company’s impact in social, economic and environmental arenas.  Therefore green companies will look for employees who possess in depth financial knowledge and management skills. The ability to manage a budget will be a minimum requirement. Green company employees will have to understand and adhere to tighter financial standards and communicate their performance using financial terms like Return on Investment (ROI) and Internal Rate of Return (IRR). If you are person who manages monetary resources, it will be important for your resume to demonstrate your performance using financial performance indicators.

4. Management:Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is the foundation of all green business practices. Green companies will look for people who are adept at managing  people, problems, processes and policy (compliance with laws and regulations) within these accepted guidelines. To get the hiring manager’s attention, it will be important for your resume to illustrate your ability to deliver measuarable results in CSR terms.

5.  Product Development & Marketing: Green companies have to create products and services which have a minimal effect or reverse environmental  impacts. People who understand the marketing research, trends, products and services needed to satisfy the “sustainability minded” consumer while adhering to CSR standards will be in especially high demand as the economy recovers. Marketing professionals will also need to highlight their ability to create campaigns which educate the consumer and build the company’s “green” brand.

6. Certifications, Credentials and Licenses: Certifications like the LEED-AP (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), PMP (Project Management Professional) and licenses like the PE (Professional Engineer) are among the most important and recognizable designations in the green industry. These credentials tell the employer that you have acquired the in depth of knowledge required for high level performance in the industry.

A Closing Thought

Green companies present exciting  job opportunities and growth  for our economic future. I hope  this article has given you some more insights to the knowledge, skills and traits that green companies are seeking in their prospective employee.  Good Luck.

Recommended Green Career Resources:

SIX STRATEGIES TO FIND YOUR GREEN CAREER – This free ebook by Carol McClelland PhD is a step-by-step process helping green career seekers use their passions, interests, experience, and training to plug into the green economy.

THE COMPLETE GREEN JOB GUIDE 2009: SECRETS FOR GETTING THE JOB YOUR WANT – Discover How To Unlock The Booming Green Economy For Your Job Search And Future Financial Security with the 10 Breakthrough Steps You Need To Know To Find And Land A Green Job Quickly.

CLEANTECHIES RESUME AND COVER LETTER WRITING SERVICE – Cleantechies help job seekers ease the transition from mainstream to Cleantech. Learn More!

FEATURED GREEN MBA PROGRAM

The UMassOnline Certificate in Sustainability Studies helps students gain an understanding of the theory and practice of sustainability. This program is available for both full time students and working professionals. Sustainability Studies looks to discover and examine humanity’s philosophies and practices, past and present, as they relate to the natural and social world, and consider what new or alternative philosophies and practices might be capable of providing a sustainable, balanced, and ethical future for the planet and its inhabitants. Click here, for more information about the UMassOnline Certificate in Sustainability Studies.

by Christina Gilyutin, Chief Career Counselor for Bright Green Talent

I have spent the last few weeks addressing those of you wanting to get into sustainability consulting. When it comes down to it, these jobs are relatively few in number. However, don’t despair: there are an unlimited number of other ways to have a positive impact through your work. Thus, I am thrilled to move on this week to talk about those other ways.

If you haven’t done this already, take a step back and consider where is it that you can have the greatest impact. I mentioned a book last week (Tempered Radicals: How Everyday Leaders Inspire Change at Work) that focuses on individuals creating change “from the inside” by successfully balancing a passion for radical change with an ability to conform to the norms of an organization. I have met a number of people from organizations such as The Gap, Whole Foods and Ford that have told me stories about how being a “tempered radical” in those organizations allowed them to bring about significant sustainability changes and initiatives.

1. If you are currently employed, look around and take action! Whatever organization you’re in, whether it’s 5 people or 5,000, there are likely countless ways for you to carve out a sustainability-oriented project. Look for inefficiencies — people leaving the lights on, no composting, excessive airplane travel… and think about constructive, cost-effective ways to change these practices in your company. Sure, these projects might have to be done on your own time (ie, you’re not paid for them), but that’s worth it because it gets things moving in the right direction at the organization and it provides you with a project to talk about in the future – if you think about it, creating change from within a non-green organization is actually much harder than working on sustainability initiatives from within a green company. (Not to mention, “displaying initiative” is always a good thing…) And if things go really well who knows…that side project could grow into a full-time position! (It has happened.)
2. If you do have experience in a traditional discipline such as accounting or marketing, you may be able to impact a company, whether it is the one you currently work for you or another, by figuring out where you can infuse sustainability principles. (For example if you are an accountant, volunteering to help with your company’s CSR report or GRI initiative will get you plenty of exposure to a growing field.) This can be very effective but certainly requires you to do some homework to determine how to make that happen.
3. Whether you’re employed or not, it’s a great time to (strategically) volunteer. Look at organizations that are aligned with your dream job and start networking to get in there as a volunteer. Non-profits need a lot of help, given recent cuts in donations and funding. And remember, this is not limited to non-profit organizations. You should pitch a project proposal rather than just offer you time since this benefits you in two ways:

• You are more likely to be selected (since many organizations are being inundated by offers to work for free.)
• You are more likely to get a substantive project that you can utilize later in your job search.

Check out the Taproot Foundation, a great organization that matches folks with non-profit volunteer opportunities. Also, to move into solar, check out Grid Alternatives.

If you have other ideas about how to create change “from the inside” or success stories of doing so, feel free to post them here!

by Amy Lively, Sustainability Internship Coordinator and Author of The Green Career Advisor Blog

Green job boards are popping up all over the internet. I review them regularly and my assessment is this: the chances that you will land a job in sustainability because of something you see on a job board are slim. Very slim. Consider that in more flush times, Americans have a much higher chance to find a job through networking than responding to an ad. Statistics vary, but I have seen anywhere from 60% – 80% quoted as the percentage of jobs found through networking. Now consider that these are difficult times for the American job market and companies are having a hard enough time finding the resources to add jobs to their payroll that we all know and understand, let alone something “new” like sustainability director. In a nutshell, there is not much on these job boards in either quantity or quality to give a job seeker hope.

Does that mean that there should be no hope at all? Absolutely not. Green jobs are out there, but many of them are just not at the types of companies that post on job boards. They are the types of jobs that can be found by networking. I regularly tell the students that I work with that they absolutely must network if they want to build a career in sustainability. They must get involved with community organizations. They must volunteer. They must meet people and make their names and faces known. They must ask questions. They must put themselves out there. The same holds true for anyone wanting to forge a career path in this field, whether they be a recent college graduate or a seasoned professional seeking a career change.

Ok, you might say, networking makes sense, but how? Where? I believe the answer lies in a combination of in-person and online networking. In-person networking tools include:

• Green Drinks. If you have regular Green Drinks meetings in your area, I encourage you to attend. Often held as happy hours, these are informal networking opportunities for sustainability professionals. In my city, Green Drinks meets monthly.
• Meetup.com. Meetups have become a very popular way to meet people with similar interests and there are many meetups with a sustainability focus. You can find a meetup that suits you on the internet, then meet people in person.

• Green Chamber of Commerce. A growing organization that focuses on promoting sustainable businesses, but you don’t have to be a business to join. Monthly meetings are great for networking, as are the educational workshops. Not available everywhere, but if you have one in your town, become a member.

Search for other local organizations that have a sustainability focus. One thing often leads to another thing, so ask questions of the people you meet. Find out where they go and who they know.

The internet has certainly made the world smaller. I am sure that most of you are well aware of these social networking sites, but you might not have considered using them as part of your job search. If you are a job seeker in sustainability, at least one of these should be part of your arsenal:

• LinkedIn. The more business-oriented of all of the popular social networking tools, LinkedIn is like an online Rolodex but better because it allows you to connect with people through your own connections. Your profile page can serve as an online resume, so make sure it is up-to-date and professional. This is not the web site to announce that you are headed to the car wash or to let everyone know where you went for happy hour last night!

• Facebook. If you are going to use Facebook, you need to decide if it will be for pleasure or business. It cannot be both. Indiscriminate postings have trashed many people’s job prospects and, in some cases, cost people jobs they already had. Job seekers with Facebook accounts that have been used for personal pleasure would be wise to regularly visit their Facebook pages and remove any potentially damaging photos or posts. If someone else has posted a photo of a you on a drunken escapade in college, remove your tag. Yes, potential employers look at these things and yes, they might make a judgment about you as a job candidate based on what they see.

• Twitter. Again, as with Facebook, if you are going to use Twitter as a job seeking professional, keep your “tweets” professional. Twitter is full of people and organizations with an interest or focus on sustainability, so use Twitter to develop relationships and you might find yourself connecting with the right person who can lead you to the right job!

FEATURED GREEN MBA PROGRAM

The UMassOnline Certificate in Sustainability Studies helps students gain an understanding of the theory and practice of sustainability. This program is available for both full time students and working professionals. Sustainability Studies looks to discover and examine humanity’s philosophies and practices, past and present, as they relate to the natural and social world, and consider what new or alternative philosophies and practices might be capable of providing a sustainable, balanced, and ethical future for the planet and its inhabitants. Click here, for more information about the UMassOnline Certificate in Sustainability Studies.