Jobs in Green Market

Global warming doesn’t discriminate between the factory and the boardroom. Neither does the new green economy.”Green collar” jobs are springing up in every industry and at every level of the workforce.

Making a difference has become a smart career move. Economists are predicting an overall growth in green jobs across the economy. As Eileen Clausen, president of the Pew Center on Global Climate Change puts it:”No sector of the economy will be untouched.” Trading in your blue or white collar for a green one is a matter of evaluating how you can apply your skills to solving the greatest problem of our time: conserving natural resources. Here are five ideas:

Eco-Fashion Designer

Eco-fashion designers not only make clothes that look good, they make clothes that are good for the environment and for the people who produce them. Green fashion design means using organic fibers grown without pesticides such as cotton, wool, hemp, and even soybean. Designers use chemical-free fabrics and emphasize recycled materials. Clothing is built to last more than one season, and garments are manufactured under fair trade agreements. This means laborers earn a fair wage and work in decent conditions.

Much of the energy behind the green fashion design movement is coming from fashion design schools. Students are staging eco-friendly fashion shows, featuring exciting designs like candy wrapper handbags and truck-tire sandals. Many fashion schools have added courses in sustainable design; in 2008, the first Sustainable Design School will open in London. Fashion trends may come and go, but green is here to stay.

Median salary for a Fashion Designer: $55,840

Organic Chef

You don’t have to cook only greens to be a green chef. The culinary world has led the eco-movement with an emphasis on locally grown, organic, and hormone-free ingredients. Chef Dan Barber explains:”Truly great cooking is based on the correspondence of good farming to a healthy environment and good nutrition? The future belongs to the gourmet.”

Your future as a green gourmet may begin in cooking school. As sustainable food becomes the norm on the five-star table, culinary schools are offering training in responsible cookery. The country’s top culinary institute maintains a full herb garden on premises, buys produce from local farmers, and offers courses in sustainable food and agriculture. Chefs learn how to plan menus with an eye to season and locale, as well as how to decipher organic labels and build relationships with local organic farmers.

Median salary for a Restaurant Chef: $34,370

Sustainability Manager

Companies from Wal-Mart to Target are recognizing the need to incorporate sustainability into their long-range game plan. Enter the sustainability manager.”There are many jobs today focused at managing the business-environmental interface,” says Dan Esty, Director of the Center for Business and Environment at Yale University. Environmental or sustainability managers help corporations”build environmental strategy into their policy”–forging alliances with nonprofits, refining their company’s marketing message, and implementing changes in the supply chain.

Business professionals can upgrade their green credentials with an Environmental MBA. The green MBA program focuses on”understanding the environment in a business context–as a core business strategy,” says Esty. Coursework combines core competencies such as accounting and finance with courses on the social and ecological impact of business decisions.

Median salary for a Supply Chain Manager: $90,218

Ecotourism Developer

In the hospitality world,”green” means ecotourism. Ecotourism is responsible travel that conserves the environment and sustains the wellbeing of local communities. Ecotourism professionals develop tours to help travelers gain an appreciation of the environment and local cultures.

Hospitality programs prepare graduates for careers in sustainable tourism, with courses in natural resources, environmental history, and community development. Practical training covers trip planning, wilderness safety, outdoor education, and financial and business management.

Median salary for a Travel Agent: $29,160; Tour Guides earn $10-$20 per hour.

Environmental Educator

Education is the key to change. Environmental educators play a fundamental role in shaping a new generation of responsible global citizens. K-12 schools rely on environmental educators to teach students about ecology, environmental science, and conservation issues. Children may learn about recycling, sustainable farming practices, or renewable energy sources. Museums, park and recreation programs, nature centers, and other nonprofits also hire interpretive guides to lead school tours and develop educational programs.

An environmental education degree can prepare you for a career teaching youth or developing environmentally-focused programs. Available at the bachelor’s or master’s degree level, this program focuses on designing lessons and curricula that foster conservation habits and an understanding of environmental issues.

Median Salary for Elementary School Educator: $47,330

When it comes to solving our environmental crisis, everyone has a role to play. Whether you’re headed for a career in IT, accounting, teaching, or art, you’ll find some of the most rewarding–and promising–opportunities in the green sector.