The Association for the Advancement for Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) recently concluded their national conference, which took place at the recently opened Raleigh Convention Center in Raleigh , North Carolina from November 9-11. The conference, entitled “Working Together for Sustainability – On Campus and Beyond,” attracted industry and academic audiences from across the nation, bringing them together to discuss the future of sustainability on campuses and their associated communities.
The conference was a huge success, highlighting many of the green developments that colleges and universities across the country are initiating. Participants also got to hear from encouraging and motivating speakers such as Lester Brown and Van Jones.
On Tuesday November 11 th, the Green Careers Center hosted the Green Careers Seminar. With a cross section of the sustainable employers, each panelist gave insight to the audience on how to best pursue and land a great green career.
The Green Careers Seminar panelists included:
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Doug Brinkley - AIA, LEED AP Architect
Pearce Brinkley Cease + Lee, PA |
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Leith Sharp
Former Director of Sustainabilty
Harvard University |
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Maria Kingery
Co-Founder
Southern Energy Management |
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Paul Wirt
Chief, Environmental Management
Environmental Division
Fort Bragg, NC
U.S. Army |
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Michael Wironen
Ecology and Environment |
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Christopher Stemen LEED AP
Senior Director
Sustainability & Environmental Stewardship
ARAMARK Higher Education |
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John Esson
Director
Green Careers Center |
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All the panelists provided the audience with great advice on how to get into a green career. One career path that was presented that was particularly interesting was the sustainability opportunities with the U.S. Army and the other armed forces. Mr. Wirt provided great insight to the work of sustainability and environmental professionals at military installations. Not only did Fort Bragg , North Carolina , win national recognition from the US Green Building Council last year, but he displayed a map dotted with Army sustainability success stories all across the nation.
Moderator, John Esson, pointed out that the ORISE program provides a career path for college students and recent graduates to work in diverse and challenging sustainability, natural resources and environmental programs. At the time of this writing, seven ORISE positions at Navy and Army installations in Maryland , Virginia , Georgia , and Utah were listed at EnvironmentalCareer.com
Leith Sharp is the former Director of the Harvard Green Campus Initiative. She found her audience asking many questions on how she did it – how does one begin new sustainability program and make it grow. We summarize her response as; let the smart people on your team do the things they do well, and your institution will the save money you need to grow your campus sustainability program. For professionals seeking additional education in sustainability, Leith is one of several instructors for the sustainability courses at the Harvard Extension School (www.greencampus.harvard.edu).
“Don’t be a afraid to get dirty” was Chris Stemen’s battle cry for those who want be successful in their careers. Chris discussed the importance of getting practical experience in your quest for a sustainability career. Aramark provides technical and professional staffing for college campuses to include sustainability careers.
There was a lot of interest in Ecology & Environment’s career opportunities. Michael Wironen suggested that the best candidates have the technical skills and meet the current needs of employers like E&E. Candidates for many consulting firms are often hired for their expertise and skill set for a current company project, and the employees succeed by being flexible and by adapting their abilities to complete new projects. E&E attracted the largest audience of job seekers after the career seminar concluded.
There was one-piece of advice that every panelist offered to the audience of over 80 attendees and that was getting involved in as much as possible. Doug Brinkley of Pearce Brinkley Cease + Lee suggested that prospective students should seek out colleges that not only have great academic and training programs but also those institutions that have campus-wide sustainability programs. Post graduate and continuing education and serving as a volunteer for nonprofit organizations build strong resumes and open doors to launch a green career. He also provided comprehensive advice and inside tips not only for aspiring green design careers but also for engineering, green real estate development, journalism, and even lobbyist. Within his career field of architecture, Doug recommended that anyone seeking a career in green buildings should seek the Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) Accredited Professional credential. For college students and recent graduates, creating or joining a local US Green Building Council Emerging Green Builders group offers great experience and adds to a valuable career network.
Maria Kingery is the co-founder of an innovative solar and energy company, Southern Energy Management (SEM)that was a head of its time. SEM is now positioned well to flourish as our nation is focused on renewable energy and green jobs. Maria Kingery enthusiastically talked about following your passion. A subtitle for her talk might be - do well by doing good. The Green Careers Journal will follow-up with more insight into the solar energy career field in the March/April issue.
Some additional tips the Green Careers Seminar panelists had to offer were:
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Continue to take classes, regardless of where you are in your career.
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Always remember and strive to influence with or without formal authority.
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Make sure you’re doing something that makes you happy!
The AASHE conference and career seminar was definitely the place to be. Lots of employers, and sustainability professionals, plus outstanding speakers. Keep checking wwww.aashe.org, and don’t miss next year’s event.
About AASHE
AASHE, the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, is an association of colleges and universities in the U.S. and Canada working to create a sustainable future. It was founded in 2006 with a mission to promote sustainability in all sectors of higher education - from governance and operations to curriculum and outreach - through education, communication, research and professional development.
