Innovation Director at Environmental Defense Fund | Creator of #OpenDoorClimate | Echoing Green Climate Fellow
I've heard from thousands of green jobseekers that feel “stuck” in their journey to work on climate, with the four most common barriers being: 🤝 Lack of personal connections in the industry 🛠 Uncertainty on transferring skills 👷♀️ Lacking direct experience in the field 🔍 Challenges finding organizations or roles that align with interests Last year, I hosted a mini-series of the Degrees Podcast called ‘The Year of the Climate Job.’ Each episode dissects these barriers and shares ways to overcome them. Here is the full series, along with key takeaways: 🤝 Lack of personal connections in the industry Episode: How to network for a green job with purpose-driven LinkedIn expert Nick Martin - https://lnkd.in/eNP6FJ9e Takeaways: - Browse the #OpenDoorClimate Directory to find climate professionals willing to connect and chat https://lnkd.in/gSf727gi - Use LinkedIn to build relationships with people you admire and contribute content yourself 🛠 Uncertainty on transferring skills Episode: Transfer your skills to a green job with Work on Climate’s Eugene Kirpichov - https://lnkd.in/ecjggq_V Takeaways: - Try to connect with people in jobs that you want to understand what skills they use day-to-day - Take stock of your own skills and remember that climate-focused companies need traditional skills 👷♀️ Lacking direct experience in the field Episode: Learn how to build your climate experience with Terra.do founder Anshuman Bapna - https://lnkd.in/e2tKYnTQ Takeaways: - Consider courses or certification programs that incorporate case studies or capstone projects - Try pitching yourself for freelance or project-based work or volunteerism 🔍 Challenges finding organizations or roles that align with interests Episode: Taking the mystery out of finding a green job with Green Jobs Board’s Kristy Drutman - https://lnkd.in/eZbJVPwJ Takeaways: - Pair skills with what you’re passionate about when searching general or climate job boards - Follow industry news and analysis hubs to learn about companies and potential roles 🤷♂️ Unsure how to use current job for climate action Episode: How to green any job with Project Drawdown’s Jamie Beck Alexander - https://lnkd.in/eMKVEFPN Takeaways: - Understand the leverage points of existing job functions have to take climate action - Organize with other interested coworkers to brainstorm and come together on issues and action I also recommend checking out the latest season of Degrees from Yesh Pavlik Slenk featuring some incredible guests, including Katharine Hayhoe, Solitaire Townsend, Drew Wilkinson and Shannon Houde,. https://lnkd.in/eba8GBdF
How about “there are just no green jobs listed in my area?”
One addition here - you don't need to work in a climate company to work on climate! I work with 330+ consumer goods brands with science-based emissions targets that are measuring, reducing, and compensating for their GHG emissions. I encourage you to check out the brand directory linked to find Certified companies who might be hiring! explore.changeclimate.org *Bias disclosure: I am on the TCCP team*
All good points. But, for me, the main barriers are not ones that a bit of self-examination and self-help can solve. They are structural, cultural, systemic. The deep risk aversion of so much of the sustainability sphere is similar in kind to that which is currently plaguing recruitment in general amidst extreme, Darwinian competiton; exceptionally high experience expectations that cannot be met unless you've done a very similar job for a very similar organisation which is at a very similar scale level, for years. The term "transferable skills" now has a very different, and much narrowed, meaning in practice. This also means that those who have benefited from significant early-career privilege are more likely to be able to break past barriers. As I suspect is the case with many others, I need someone to cut me a break. Also, such strong emphasis on self-help and individual responsibility in the face of a Darwinian hiring culture is not positive. I'm tying myself in knots trying to identify ways to meet nigh-impossible demands. It creates extreme stress and anxiety, and massive imposter syndrome. I know I'm far from alone in feeling this way.
For scientists, but not only!, it's worth checking the roles at companies that use biotech for sustainability. Homeworld Collective does a super job with their job board - https://jobs.homeworld.bio/jobs
This is a great resource! I would add that any job can be a sustainability job with the right training. Don’t leave your role where you are the expert to go to a green job. Make the decisions within your role/company that will push the agenda forward. If you work in procurement, make targets for your team to procure products with x% less emissions, if you work in HR give training to your employees so they can make more sustainable decisions in their departments, if you work in product design aim to make your products less energy intensive… You don’t have to do a full pivot to have a massive impact. And I believe if more people did this, we wouldn’t even need so many people to have green jobs, as all jobs would be greener 🌿 Check out https://thecurve.world/ affordable trainings that can help you with this challenge - The Curve Sustainability
Terrific compilation of resources. Thanks, Daniel. "I feel stuck" is a phrase I regularly hear as a career professional specializing in working with social impact professionals who are passionate about topics such as sustainability. I host a complimentary Career Development Masterclass that your followers may find helpful. My next one is tomorrow on 7/18. www.ericamattison.com/career-development-masterclass
Don't educate job seekers, educate hiring managers.
Great insights here on overcoming common barriers to landing a green job! 🌱 From leveraging LinkedIn for networking to exploring skill transfer and building climate experience, these tips are incredibly valuable. Check out the podcast episodes for a deeper dive into each challenge and actionable strategies. 🌍💪 #ClimateJobs #GreenCareer
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1moI just binge listened to this podcast series and it was so helpful. It’s nice to know I’m not alone! I’m looking forward to digging in to the *many* resources mentioned. Thank you!