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Make more green in a green job

April 20, 2009 on 10:33 am | In All categories, green jobs/environment | No Comments

In some professions, you can make more money than your peers if you green-ify your job. That’s pretty good news for Earth Day.

In the article “Increase Your Earning Power by Going Green,” electricians and construction managers, for example, pull down higher salaries when working on renewable-energy or other green-associated projects.

It sounds like a pretty good formula — make more money while helping the environment.  If you want a green job, here are some good tips to remember:

The field is broad. Green jobs aren’t just for climate scientists or inventive recycling gurus. Research the possibilities. Try downloading the “Green Jobs Handbook” to learn more about the wide range of possible jobs, or check out this overview of green-collar jobs at Green For All.

Follow the stimulus money. Many of the job-creation projects funded by the $787 billion stimulus plan support green initiatives, from improving energy efficiency in housing to updating infrastructure and electricity delivery systems. Pay attention to your local news sources to learn about these projects. You can also learn more at the “Stimulus Job Watch” and recovery.gov.

Think long term. Experts predict that the green sector will continue to grow and provide new jobs for years to come. That means you have time to update your skills or training, or plan a career-changing strategy. Or even volunteer so that you become more knowledgeable and skilled in your selected green niche. Many colleges are adding green-related programs and certifications to help gear workers for new successes.

For more, check out the “Finding a Green Job” section of Yahoo! Green or the resources page at Green For All. Or see my previous post: “Green Jobs Have Momentum.” Happy Earth Day!