You've heard of blue-collar and white-collar jobs, but in the future you should consider wearing a green collar if you're after job security. New green-collar professions relate to careers that will help rebuild America's infrastructure, find new energy solutions, create energy-efficient vehicles and manufacturing processes, and attack the problems of environment and global warming.
If you’re aiming for college or for advanced training of other kinds, the following careers offer opportunity:
Environmental Engineers Environmental engineers typically pursue bachelor's or master's degrees in engineering, but focus on coursework in water and air quality, recycling, wastewater treatment, pollution control, or other specializations. You can satisfy prerequisites in math, biology or chemistry with an online associate degree in engineering. Jobs may be in government agencies, research labs, or private industry. Top 2007 wages were in the six figures.
Environmental Scientists and Hydrologists You might get an entry-level job with an associate degree, but most employers prefer graduates of master's degree programs. Hydrologists are concerned with water quality and can transfer from other disciplines, such as geology, chemistry, or biology, and then take additional "green" training. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts 25-percent growth in jobs in this career area by 2016. Top wages reached $99,320 in 2007.
Construction Managers Yes, the building trades are in a sorry state. But if President Obama hopes to rebuild roads and bridges, construction managers will be needed. If you're in the trades, consider taking college or online classes in "green" building, civil engineering, or management. The BLS predicts a 16 percent increase in new construction jobs and the top 25 percent of managers in 2007 earned $102,190.
Insulation Workers Many insulation workers train through apprenticeship programs with the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Asbestos Workers, but more colleges and trade schools are adding "green" construction courses to undergraduate curriculum. The top 25 percent of insulation workers in 2007 earned $40,030.
Interior Designers Energy-efficient, "green" design is the direction of the new economy. According to the Energy Information Administration, homes emit 1.2 billion metric tons of greenhouse gases each year. The BLS has predicted a 19 percent increase in jobs for interior designers through 2016, and those with environmental specialties will be in highest demand. You will be able to enter the field with a bachelor's degree, but be sure to take courses in "green" design and energy efficiency to bolster your credentials. Top annual earnings in 2007 were $81,800.
Woodrow Aames, FindtheRightSchool.com for Yahoo.com, adapted
No comments:
Post a Comment