Green Career Exploration
With growing globalization, the world is experiencing new stresses. Jobs pertaining to the environment, sustainability, and energy are becoming increasingly important as new problems arise. A green career is any position that attempts to make the world more sustainable. Backgrounds in sustainability and the environment may prove to foster economic success in the future. This passion can be applied through a variety of sectors including non-profit, government, and private industry. A few ways that environmental workers are attempting to create a sustainable future include improving environmental and occupational health, changing policy, conserving wetlands, and remediating landscapes from environmental hazards. The green careers field is growing in an effort to continue to make the world a safe place.
Green Career Insights
Green Career Insights is a W&M website created and maintained by the Cohen Career Center's Eco Ambassador, which includes useful links, resources, and career insights into Green Careers.
Industry Timeline
Unlike consulting and finance, there is not a formal recruiting season. Most jobs are advertised on an as needed basis. Subscribe to the weekly Public Service Careers Newsletter for internship and job opportunities in green careers.
Potential Career Fields
- Conservation and Science
- ex. Environmental Scientist, Conservation Scientist, Wildlife Biologist
- Communications
- Environmental Health & Safety (EHS)
- ex. Environmental Health Specialist
- Engineering
- ex. Environmental Engineer
- Environmental and Sustainable Policy
- ex. Environmental Lawyer, Lobbyist
- Energy Efficiency
- ex. Energy Auditor, Sustainability Data Analyst
- Project Management
- ex. Urban Planner, Environmental Project Manager
- Environmental Protection
- ex. Environmental Protection Technician, Field Technician
- Consulting
- ex. Environmental Consultant, Energy Consultant
- Government and Regulatory Administration
- ex. Environmental Protection Agency, National Parks Service, US Geological Survey
Useful Skills
- ArcGIS by Esri
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Statistical modeling (i.e. STATA, R)
- Field methods
- Data Visualization (i.e. Tableau, SigmaPlot)
Relevant Job Boards
- USA Jobs
- Green Job Search
- The Student Conservation Association (SCA)
- Environmental Career
- The Nature Conservancy
- Green Corps
- Idealist
On Campus Opportunities
- Join Eco-Schools Leadership Initiative
- Subscribe to the Sustainability listserv
- Join Student Environmental Action Coalition (SEAC)
- Participate in the KelRae Farm partnership
- Apply to be a Sustainability Intern with W&M Dining
- Additional sustainability opportunities
