What is a Green Career? One that involves either reducing human environmental impact or promoting the environment’s restoration. Working toward the triple bottom line (people, planet, profit) A position that focuses primarily on environmentally responsible products or services, or any job in a green company or a green division of a company.
What is a Green Company? Organizations or divisions that are proactively reducing humans' impact on the environment or promoting its restoration Green Industry Company Selling exclusively earthfriendly products or services •Organic food/consumer products •Residential energy efficiency •Renewable energy •Green building •Recycling •Environmental cleanup •Socially responsible investing •Sustainable tourism •Environmental advocacy
Green Practices Company •Green commitment in mission •Ambitious and measurable company-wide goals •Publically communicate their green goals and performance to their stakeholders •Already taken the actions necessary to green themselves
Green Career Opportunities Green Globetrotters: Travel and Hospitality Sustainability Stewards: Planning and Land Use Complementary Care: Health and Medicine Power Pushers: Energy and Renewables Planet Protectors: Legal Careers Green Geeks: Information Technology (IT) Eco Educators: Green Learning Better Builders: Design and Construction Improving Industry: Corporate Social Responsibility
Organic Occupations: Food and Farming
Pluses & Minuses Rewarding Rapid industry growth Innovation Combine skills & values
Paper pusher Organizational resistance Changing roles Slow results
Green Engagement - NOW
Student Groups Campus Green Students for Ecological & Environmental Development (SEED) Green Cup College Union Sustainability Efforts Illinois Student Environmental Coalition
Local Activities/Events Initiative for Sustainability and Energy at NU (ISEN) Chicago Green Drinks
Professional Associations Chicagoland Environmental Network
Application Materials
Resume
Target to employer Highlight transferrable skills Demonstrate green commitment Articulate success
Cover letters
Target to employer Expand on green commitment – share your vision Articulate success and impact Demonstrate alignment w/ organization
Green Internship Resources
sustainlane.com
idealist.org
http://www.chicagoenvironment .org/index.cfm
Green Internship Resources
http://www.greenfestivals.org/
http://www.internships-usa.com/ Click “The Internship Series on line” username: interns password: learn
www.northwestern.edu/careers, go to “Exclusive NU Resources” (lower left hand side of page) and click on “Vault”
The Big Green Internship Book Internships & Summer Jobs for the Environment 2009
Green Internship Resources
ecojobs.com
thescaorg.com
sustainablebusiness.com
Questions
Main Office 620 Lincoln Street 847-491-3700 CareerLab Core Reserve Main Library, 2nd Floor www.northwestern.edu/careers