So you want to work in a green career?
Now what?
Network.
Network with professionals in your field of interest. Informational interviewing is a great way to learn about occupations and build your professional network. If applicable, alumni from your alma mater are a great resource for networking. Create a profile on LinkedIn and join green career related groups.
Stay Informed.
Keep abreast of what is going on in green industries in which you are interested. If there are companies you are interested in, consider joining their mailing list or following the organization on social media, if applicable. Or subscribe to news feeds related to the environment and other areas specific to the industry that interests you.
Stay Active.
Stay active in the field in which you are interested. Attend workshops and events targeted for people in green careers. If possible, ask about internships or volunteer opportunities to gain skills and knowledge.
Starting a Career in Vermont
Career planning is a life-long process. From an early age you have developed interests, skills and values that will affect your future career choices. Through exploration and reflection you discover more opportunities that are a good fit for you. Here are some tools to get you started with your career exploration:
Step 1: Focus on Self: Identify Skills, Values & Interests
Knowing yourself is the foundation to discovering which career will be a good fit for you.
Step 2: Explore Options: Research the Possibilities
Use online and in-person resources to discover the wide array of opportunities. To make good choices about your career path, it’s helpful to have information on various careers, industries, companies, job descriptions, and salaries. Consider how opportunities fit with your identified interests and skills.
Step 3: Pursue Expertise: Take Action to Explore your Interests and Build Skills
It is essential to explore and evaluate your interests through experience and take advantage of opportunities that will build the necessary skills to reach your goals.
Step 4: Launch your Search
Applying for a job or other opportunity is a several step process that demands attention to detail and follow through. Take the time to attend to each of the pieces and set yourself up for success. Through reflection, research and experience, you should have a clear direction of where you are headed and how you want to grow as a professional.
Vermont Student Assistant Corporation (VSAC) Career Resources
- Career explorations, test preparation, and more! http://services.vsac.org/wps/wcm/connect/VSAC/vsac/explore+careers
- Start Where You Are is an interactive self-exploration site that connects interests to careers – www.startwhereyouarevt.org
- Do What You Are is a personality profile and career interest survey that provides you with a detailed description of both your personality and possible career interests. Access Do What You Are from the ‘”Quick Links” box on VSAC’s homepage. (Requires free registration.) – www.vsac.org
- VT Guidance Central offers several assessments, including an interest profiler, work values sorter, and more – www.bridges.com/vsac
- NextSteps.org offers a variety of self-assessment tools that follow both a linear, step-by-step method and a more open-ended approach –www.nextsteps.org
- PersonalityType.com, from the authors of the book Do What You Are, provides a short quiz to determine your MBTI type –www.personalitytype.com/career_quiz
- Type focus offers a free abbreviated version of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator focused on the introvert/extravert element –www.typefocus.com/s_complimentary.html