How to Get a Green Job

UC San Diego students learn how to compete for next-generation careers

April 28, 2009

By Christine Clark

Green Campus interns and Sustainability Solutions Institute interns promote facility energy efficiency, green building practices, water conservation on campus.

In a cool economy, green jobs are getting hotter. The University of California, San Diego is helping produce the next generation of green job-holders through green internships, green classes, green student organizations and even eco-job fairs and seminars.

“UC San Diego’s interns can work on projects with faculty and staff to apply theoretical research in a real world application,” said Maggie Souder, the campus’s sustainability coordinator. “We work to match students’ interest with a particular project.”

As one of the greenest universities, UC San Diego is helping students gain hands on experience through internships at the Green Campus Program, the Sustainability Solutions Institute and Housing Dining and Hospitality. Green Campus interns and Sustainability Solutions Institute interns promote facility energy efficiency, green building practices, water conservation on campus and they help organize energy saving contest and annual events, such as Earth Week.

Students such as Muir College senior Jessica Wall gained valuable job experience working as a Green Campus Intern for nearly three years. “I dealt with energy conservation and other sustainable practices on campus,” Wall said. An environmental systems major, she said her coursework and internship experience helped her achieve problem-solving and communication skills.

Green Campus interns and Sustainability Solutions Institute interns help organize energy saving contest, trash sorts and other events.

She found the internship through the Career Services Center and also worked as a policy intern for the San Diego Coastkeeper, where she reviewed water-supply law and regulation.

In today’s job market, it’s imperative that students gain as much practical job experience through internships and volunteer work, according to Lauren Payne, career counselor at the Career Services Center. “They can learn from summer jobs or independent research projects,” she said. “Students should be familiar with current environmental laws and regulations and stay up to date with changing environmental legislation.”

Students can also enroll in a variety of green courses at UC San Diego. The university offers approximately 200 courses linked to environmental sustainability and more green classes are being added each quarter. UC San Diego’s Extension recently created the Launch Certificate in Environment and Sustainability, designed for second or third-year undergrads with an interest in a business career in sustainability.

Payne recommends that students network at seminars, conferences and workshops sponsored by professional associations or public interest groups, such as the Association of Environmental Professionals and the San Diego Environmental Professionals.

Recently students interacted with recruiters from the green job sector at the Career Services Center during the Green Job Fair on Earth Day, April 22.  Students met with representatives from companies such the Center for Sustainable Energy, enXco and others.

On Thursday, April 23, professionals from the energy, recycling, conservation and environmental education industries shared their knowledge of environmentally conscious and sustainability-oriented careers. The panel featured Lisa Shaffer, executive director UC San Diego’s Sustainability Solutions Institute, Jim Bachman of Adroit Solar, Mindy Fogg, an environmental biologist and planner for the County of San Diego and Jon Warren Lentz, a green business and sustainability consultant.

“My advice is to get some real-world experience,” Shaffer said.  “Find someone who is doing something you think would be an ideal job and contact that person and talk to him or her. Everyone loves to have a bright young student asking their advice and saying, ‘I want to be like you when I grow up.’”

Shaffer says she also encourages students to get involved in one of UC San Diego’s green organizations. Activist students support the campus’s 83 student organizations that are organized around environmental, social justice and sustainability issues.

Although students at UC San Diego have the opportunity to major in disciplines such as environmental systems and environmental engineering, you don’t need to be a scientist to work in a sustainability-related field, Shaffer said.

“You need to have the ability to write and express yourself well,” she said. “Students who major in physiology and sociology also are excellent candidates because you need to be able to understand human behavior in this kind of work. Why do people buy Hummers? Why don’t they recycle?”

Wall said she’s aware that she is graduating in tough economic times, but that she’s determined to do work that will help the environment.

Media Contact: Christine Clark, 858-534-7618 or ceclark@ucsd.edu