NextPath Graduates

8 Hot Green-Collar Jobs for Earth-Conscious Grads

nextpath — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 18:32:00 GMT

As the world deals with global warming and a growing demand for energy, the green movement has moved beyond a fringe fad to become an international initiative. Green industries and “green-collar” jobs are on the rise as businesses and governments face an increasing pressure to protect the environment. If you’re an eco-minded grad, here are eight of the fastest up-and-coming green jobs, where you’ll be able to earn a paycheck while doing your part to save the planet.

Carbon Trader

Carbon trading, currently active in Europe and Japan, is likely headed to the United States within the next five years. The carbon trading market is currently estimated to be worth a little over $6 billion. As carbon trading expands to the United States and other parts of the world, the market could grow to $500 billion by 2050, according to a Deutsche Bank report.

The idea behind carbon trading grows out of limits imposed on greenhouse gas emissions by a government or other regulatory body. Companies or other organization are issued permits that allow them to emit a certain amount of carbon dioxide. Those businesses that exceed their allotted carbon limit must buy extra carbon “quota” from those that emit less.

A carbon trader helps put together financing for projects that can produce carbon credits to sell. It might be a wind farm in India or a methane-capture landfill in the United Kingdom. “We advise a hedge fund in the U.K. and other institutions that invest in the landfills, or buy the credits and resell them later,” says Alex Rau, founder of Climate Wedge, a carbon trading firm. “We are participating in the growth of a new asset class. If you can do something that reduces greenhouse emissions, you can produce an asset.”

Qualifications
The principles behind carbon trading are a lot like those behind stock trading; your stock just happens to be carbon credits. You’re doing a lot of the same work as a financial advisor or investment trader, so you’ll need a degree or experience in business and finance, with knowledge of financial management and investment banking.

Corporate Climate Consultant

With its new director of climate change and energy strategy at the helm, Yahoo invested $2 million to buy carbon emission credits from a hydroelectric project in Brazil and a wind farm in India to achieve its carbon neutral status. Christina Page spent her first week as Yahoo’s director of climate change in the Amazon River basin, researching hydroelectric projects.

Carbon consultants advise companies on how to reduce their carbon footprint, whether it’s for regulatory reasons, publicity, budget-cutting, or all of the above.

At Yahoo, Page is focused on examining all the company’s business processes and looking for ways to make them more energy-efficient. That means building better data centers and installing an energy monitoring system so that every Yahoo employee knows how much energy is being consumed around them, from their laptop to the entire building. It also means pushing out eco tips to Yahoo’s users.

Qualifications
Usually, you’ll need previous experience as a consultant or project manager, with a master’s or bachelor’s degree in environmental studies or in science and engineering, with an emphasis on environmental coursework. Some employers may require knowledge of state and federal environmental regulations, along with experience in regulatory compliance projects.

Eco-Educator

A few years ago, this job didn’t even exist. Often referred to as sustainability coordinators, these positions deal with improving the quality of life for those in the organization, while caring for and supporting the environment. Eco-educators are responsible for developing programs and policies that conserve energy, efficiently use natural resources and educate employees regarding sustainability issues.

Qualifications
Since this is such a new field, many companies are open to different backgrounds and qualifications, although many prefer at least a four-year bachelor’s degree.

Environmental Engineer

Not your average engineers, these individuals apply scientific principles to improve the environment, provide healthy water, air or land for human habitation, and may deal with recycling, waste disposal, and public health issues as well as water and pollution control. Some engineers may design municipal water supply or industrial wastewater treatment plants, conduct hazardous-waste management studies, and be concerned with the effects of acid rain and ozone depletion.

Qualifications
A bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering or a bachelor’s degree in another field of engineering with a minor in environmental engineering is required; master’s degrees are encouraged.

Environmental Lawyer

Expected to grow by 25 percent in the next decade, these individuals give guidance to corporations that need advice on the ecological impact of their actions, from land use to pollution control. Lawyers generally measure and assign liability in the event that an environmental crime has been committed, and ensure that companies comply with the provisions of law.

Qualifications
You’ll have to get a graduate Juris Doctorate degree in environmental law, natural law, or related field, and pass your state’s bar exam in order to practice in this field.

Green Recruiter

Maybe you’re a natural at sales, love talking to people, or want to help others get their dream job. Finding individuals to fill jobs in the exploding fields of environmental sciences, sustainable development, climate change or other areas of social responsibility may be just up your alley. With the number of specialists in the field more than doubling between 2006 and 2007, this career is a safe bet for a secure future.

Qualifications
Many companies require that you prove yourself on the job, and may not even require a college degree for entry-level positions. An undergraduate marketing or other degree may help you land this job, however.

Solar Installer or Wind Turbine Technician

If you’re a hands-on person with decent mechanical or electrical skills, this job could be a rewarding alternative to the corporate grind. You would be part of a team responsible for installing equipment on rooftops or on massive wind turbines.

Qualifications
Some companies may require you to be certified as an electrician or electrical engineer, but there are no formal certifications required to be a solar installer.

Sustainable-Design Architect

More popularly known as green design, green building, or even green architecture, the term “sustainable design” refers to the use of environmentally-conscious design techniques and a focus on minimizing the negative environmental impact of buildings through the efficient use of materials, energy, and development space.

Qualifications
You may be able to do green design with a general professional architecture degree, but many schools are now offering specialized post-professional architectures degree in sustainable design and environmental building that are in high demand at many of the largest firms in the country.

Green on the Mind: College Grads Looking to Work for Green Companies

nextpath — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 18:14:00 GMT

Not only are colleges and universities leading the country in the construction of environmentally friendly buildings, they’re planting the seeds (pun intended) for a green way of life for a whole generation of students. Recent college graduates, coming straight out of an eco-conscious college experience, are entering the job market with green on the mind.

Nearly four out of five college students and recent grads said they would choose a green company over another company if the job offers were similar, in response to a survey conducted in April by Experience, Inc., a provider of career and e-recruiting services. Of the almost 2,800 students and grads who responded to the survey, 81 percent believe it’s important to work for a green company, and 16 percent already currently work or intern at a green company.

Green-Collar Jobs on the Rise

Green industries and the number of “green-collar jobs” are proliferating alongside college graduates’ growing interest in doing green work.

According to the American Solar Energy Society, renewable energy and energy efficiency industries in the United States currently generate nearly $1 trillion in revenue and provide 8.5 million jobs. The nonprofit organization estimates that by 2030, one in four U.S. workers will be employed in a renewable energy or energy efficiency field.

“The green-collar job boom is here,” says Neal Lurie, the ASES director of marketing. “Renewable energy and energy efficiency are economic powerhouses.”

Companies Will Need to Take Heed of an Environmentally Conscious Workforce

The results of the Experience poll point to the fact that if U.S. companies want to attract the college graduates of Generation Y, these businesses are going to need to tout their commitment to the environment.

“Millennials are the new face of today’s workforce,” says Jenny Floren, founder and CEO of Experience. “Companies should clearly communicate their environmental commitments and socially responsible practices throughout all recruiting programs to attract the best talent.”

As the green movement gains a stronger foothold in corporate America and as businesses face increasing pressure to go green, don’t hesitate to make your eco-mindedness known when you hit the job trail. Mention your interest in working for a green company on your résumé or in your cover letter. In your interviews, when it’s your turn to ask questions, ask what green initiatives the company’s undertaking and what its long-term plans are, if any, to reduce its carbon footprint and continue on an environmentally responsible business plan.

If you’ve got your sights set on a company that’s specifically targeting carbon-conscious grads like you, check out our other post this week on top green jobs for college grads for a look at some of the fastest-growing green-collar jobs out there.

After College: Keep Living Like a Student and Start Saving

nextpath — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 01:25:00 GMT

With graduation behind you, no more college tuition bills, and a new job that probably pays way more than minimum wage, you might have your eye on a graduation present to yourself: that MacBook you’ve been wanting, a plasma TV for all the NFL games you’ll be watching, or an upgrade to your 10-year-old hand-me-down hatchback. And after four-plus years of putting up with other people’s weird tendencies and annoying living habits, you might be tempted to kiss roommates goodbye and splurge a little on rent to get an apartment all to yourself.

But before you start breaking out the credit cards or making any financial decisions that spend paychecks you haven’t earned yet, ask yourself what your financial plan is: What are your short-term and long-term financial goals? Where do you want to be financially five years from now? 10 years? 20? What are you doing about retirement? If you were to lose your job, how much of an emergency savings fund would you need to be able to live for six months, and what are your plans to get there?

As much as you may want to start living, furnishing, eating out, and buying things like a real person, now that you’re out of school and have a job, experts say the key to your financial freedom is to stick with the starving student lifestyle for a few more years. That way, you can put your newfound money to work for you, pay off your debt, and start saving now so that you have the cash for all those trips, purchases, and big plans.

Here’s how to start:

1) Get a Beat on Your Debts

Before signing off on an apartment, car loan, or new surround-sound system, get the full picture on how much you already owe. Add up all of your debts and monthly bills — student loans, credit cards, car insurance, cell phone, etc. For loans and credit cards, make a note of your minimum monthly payments, your repayment terms (how long you’re being given to pay off each debt), and your current interest rates, along with which of your rates are fixed and which are variable and subject to change. Remember that variable rates usually mean variable monthly payments: If your variable rate goes up, your required minimum monthly will also generally go up.

Total up your monthly bills and minimum payments, then deduct this amount from your monthly income to determine how much money you have left over for other spending. Make sure you leave yourself a cushion for variable monthly payments that may get higher, and don’t forget to allow for necessary living expenses like gas and groceries. If you’re not planning on living with your parents, you’ll also need to take into account monthly costs for things like electricity and cable.

You may find, after you’ve figured just how much your monthly expenses will eat into your brand new paycheck, that a new car or your very own apartment will just have to wait.

2) Give Higher-Interest Debt Top Billing

Not all debt is created equal. Your federal student loans, which tend to have lower interest rates than credit cards or private student loans, are OK to pay off more slowly, says Elaine Bedel, president of Bedel Financial Consulting, Inc. Federal student loans also feature extended and income-sensitive repayment options that may allow you to lower your monthly payments, as well as forbearance and deferment benefits that could let you postpone your monthly payments temporarily if you lose your job or run into other financial trouble. Car loans, credit cards, and even many private student loans won’t give you this luxury.

Take the interest rates you made note of in step 1, and list your debts in order from the highest interest rate to the lowest. Make paying off your debts with the highest interest rates your top priority. If you can, make bigger payments on these debts, paying more than the minimum each month until you pay them off. Then work your way down the list until everything is paid off.

3) Sign Up for Your Company’s 401(k)

Retirement may be the last thing on your mind when you’re not even 25 yet, but signing up for your company’s 401(k) now will give your money more time to go to work for you. Many companies will match employee contributions to a 401(k) up to a certain amount. Employer matching is basically free money for you. And you don’t have to pay any taxes on the money you contribute to a 401(k) until you withdraw it decades down the road.

We know you probably feel like you still have forever to save for retirement. And taking any money out of your paycheck right now for something that still seems so far away can be hard to bring yourself to do. But when you’re tempted to put off setting that money aside so you can spend it instead, think about this: Your 401(k) earns interest, so every year that you put off saving is one less year that your money is earning money.

To put it in perspective, say your goal is to retire with $1 million: Assuming an 8-percent rate of return, if you start now and save for 25 years, you’d need to invest a little over $1,000 a month, writes Chuck Saletta of financial services company The Motley Fool. If you wait until your 30s to start thinking about retirement and only save for 15 years, you’d need to invest almost $3,000 a month to reach that $1 million goal. Only give yourself 10 years to save, and you’d need to invest $5,500 a month.

Committing to a smaller paycheck just when you’ve really started earning one can be tough, so start easy. Take just $5 from each paycheck to get your 401(k) rolling. You likely won’t even notice an amount that small. Every couple months, keep nudging up your contribution by either $5 or $10 until you reach a point where you can feel the squeeze of your deductions on your monthly budget. Keep your monthly contributions at that amount until you get a raise or pay off a debt that gives you more room in your monthly budget. Then bump your contribution up by $5 a paycheck and start the process over again.

Before you know it, you’ll have a 401(k) with a significant amount of cash that’s earning you even more money, so that down the road, you won’t be struggling financially — you’ll be set.

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Surviving the Economy: 6 Ways to Improve Your Car’s Gas Mileage

nextpath — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 17:05:00 GMT

You may not be able to do anything about high gas prices, but there are steps you can take to improve your car’s fuel economy. No matter what kind of car you drive, by making a few simple changes, you can get better gas mileage and save money at the pump.

1) Lighten your load.
Get rid of all the junk you’ve been chauffeuring around in the trunk of your car — an extra 100 pounds in your vehicle could reduce your fuel efficiency by up to 2 percent (or even more for smaller cars).

And although you may not want to admit it, those additional pounds you’re lugging around may also be weighing your car down and eating up gas. We’re pumping 938 million more gallons of gas a year into our cars than our parents were in 1960 because of our growing waistlines, according to a 2006 report from researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

2) Drive in with co-workers.
Carpool to work. Not only does sharing the commute allow you to get to know the people you work with a little better, it’s easier on the environment and on your wallet. If no one in your department lives close to you, try putting up a flyer in the break room. Someone working in another department may live nearby and want to carpool.

You can also check out commuter-friendly websites like RideSearch and eRideShare that connect drivers who want to carpool with other drivers who may be headed in the same direction.

3) Shop around — without driving around.
Stop wasting gas trying to find the best place to save on gas. Instead of cruising around town looking for the pump with the cheapest prices, use websites like GasBuddy and GasPriceWatch to compare gas prices in your area and find the best deal with just a few clicks of your mouse.

4) Lose the rack.
Remove your car’s luggage or ski rack when you’re not using it. Farmers’ Almanac estimates that removing a roof rack, which adds aerodynamic drag, can improve your car’s fuel economy by as much as 5 percent.

5) Come up for air.
Make sure your tires are properly inflated. For every pound of air pressure that your tires are underinflated, you’re reducing your mileage by about 0.4 percent, say the guys on National Public Radio’s Car Talk. In cool weather, a tire will typically lose one to two pounds of air a month, losing even more in warmer weather. Make it a practice to check your tire pressure once a month.

If you’re not sure what the correct tire pressure is for your vehicle, check your owner’s manual, try the manufacturer’s website, or see if you can find it on the door to your glove compartment or on the inside of your driver-side door. If you buy your tires at Discount Tire, their service techs will do an air pressure check for you anytime absolutely free — all you have to do is stop in.

6) Keep up with maintenance.
Get your car serviced regularly. Regular service is one of the best things you can do to maximize your fuel efficiency. A mechanic may be able to spot gas-guzzling problems like a broken thermostat, a faulty oxygen sensor, low transmission fluid, or even something as simple as a dirty air filter. Replacing a clogged air filter (which typically costs about $20) can increase your fuel efficiency by up to 10 percent — at $3.50 a gallon for gas, that’s a savings of about $0.35 a gallon, which means your new filter will have paid for itself after just 60 miles.

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Surviving the Economy: 5 Realistic Reasons to Move Back Home With Mom and Dad

nextpath — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 16:49:00 GMT

Congratulations! You got your college diploma, and you’re officially an adult.

Adult, say hello to rent, groceries, insurance, water bills, electric bills, gas bills, and don’t forget about those student loans.

Before you find yourself buried under a pile of bills you can’t afford on your entry-level salary (that is, if you’ve even been able to find a job yet), you may want to bring yourself to consider whether that not-exactly-coolest of options — moving back home — might be your best bet right now.

We won’t pretend it’s a perfect answer. You may have to forgo the overnight guests and having a denful of buddies over for pizza, drinks, and the UFC pay-per-view fight. You’ve fought hard for your independence, done your required 18 years’ time at home, and now it may feel like you’re giving it all back up.

But if the alternative is being broke and living out of your car, that may be a price you want to pay. Besides, retracing your steps home doesn’t have to be all bad. There are at least five major advantages to moving back in with your parents, at least until you get on your financially independent two feet:

Free rent
In order to help you out financially, especially if you haven’t been able to find a job yet, mom and dad may let you live at home rent-free. They might ask for a little something, maybe $50 a month, to help with groceries, but that’s still a better deal than you’re likely to find anywhere else. Just don’t use living at home as an excuse to watch TV or play Guitar Hero all day. In exchange for free rent privileges, make sure you’re hitting the pavement, getting your résumé out there, and keeping your parents up-to-speed on your job search.
Free groceries, laundry, utilities, cable, Internet, and other things that cost money
All that stuff adds up, even when you’re splitting it with roommates. To avoid being a total bum, you can make a small contribution each month to help your parents with bills. Or if you’re short on cash, offer to help them with yardwork, errands, or things that need to be done around the house.
You’ll actually be able to start a savings account
If you’re working and have money coming in, take what you’d pay for rent and utilities, and put it toward savings and paying off your student loans plus any credit card debt you racked up in college. With a good chunk of your debt paid off, a history of on-time payments on your credit report, and a decent emergency savings fund built up, you’ll be better equipped to get out on your own that much more quickly.
The food and accommodations are a lot better
No air mattresses. No schlepping your bags of clothes to the laundromat. No cramming yourself into a rickety one-bedroom apartment with a med student, an aspiring actor disguised as a waiter, and their three cats. Actual food. Your parents may be busy professionals who aren’t inclined to prepare gourmet meals, but whatever they are eating, it probably still beats canned ravioli and Pop-Tarts.
No newly annoying roommates or unexpected whack-jobs
You never know what you’re going to end up with off Craigslist when you’re looking for someone to split the rent with. Your parents and siblings are more than likely not your ideal post-college roommates, but think of it this way: At least all their craziness and annoying habits aren’t anything new. You know what you’re getting into. You spent 18 years of your life learning how to deal with your family — why invite any new crazies in when you’re already a pro at living with the ones who love you that you’ve got back home.

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