If President Barack Obama's proposed policies come to pass, there will be plenty of jobs in the new economy -- if you're trained for them. For many working Americans, it means a return to the classroom (whether brick-and-mortar or online) to add "green" specializations to their existing training. For college-bound citizens, it may pay handsomely to enroll in undergraduate degree programs with a green slant. And for managers, you may want to consider green training at the graduate level in health care, engineering, and energy.
In his inaugural address, President Obama pledged that, "We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together. We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology's wonders to raise health care's quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories." This means the government sector is likely to favor creating jobs in environmental engineering, renewable energy research and development, and construction.
In his campaign, President Obama specifically targeted efforts to:
- Get 1 million plug-in hybrid cars on the road by 2015.
- Ensure 10 percent of our electricity comes from renewable sources by 2012, and 25 percent by 2025.
- Help create 5 million new jobs by strategically investing $150 billion over the next 10 years to catalyze private efforts to build a clean energy future.
- Weatherize 1 million homes annually.
- Implement an economy-wide cap-and-trade program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by 2050.
If the president's vision comes to pass, we can expect these five careers to take off, provided that workers re-tool for the green-collar age:
Environmental Engineers
Environmental engineers typically pursue bachelor's or master's degrees in engineering, but focus on coursework in water and air quality, recycling, wastewater treatment, pollution control, or other specializations. You can satisfy prerequisites in math, biology or chemistry with an online associate degree in engineering. Jobs may be in government agencies, research labs, or private industry. Top 2007 wages were in the six figures.
Environmental Scientists and Hydrologists
You might get an entry-level job with an associate degree, but most employers will look for help from graduates of master's degree programs. Hydrologists are concerned with water quality. Environmental scientists can hail from other disciplines -- having a bachelor's degree in geology, chemistry, or biology -- who then take additional "green" training. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts upwards of 25-percent growth in jobs in this career sector in the 2006-2016 decade. Top wages reached $99,320 in 2007.
Construction Managers
Yes, the building trades are in a sorry state. But if the president hopes to rebuild roads and bridges, construction managers may have a brighter outlook. If you're in the trades, consider heading back to college for online classes in "green" building, civil engineering, or management. During the building hiatus, you may be able to build new skills quickly and change collars. The BLS predicts a 16 percent increase in new construction jobs and the top 25 percent of managers in 2007 earned $102,190.
Insulation Workers
Many insulation workers train through apprenticeship programs through the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Asbestos Workers, but more colleges and trade schools are increasingly adding "green" construction courses to undergraduate curriculum. Somebody is going to have to weatherize those million homes a year. The top 25 percent of insulation workers in 2007 earned $40,030.
Interior Designers
Energy-efficient, "green" design will move to center stage in the new economy. Our homes emit 1.2 billion metric tons of greenhouse gases each year, according to the Energy Information Administration. The BLS has predicted a 19 percent increase in jobs for interior designers through 2016, and those with environmental specialties could find themselves in top demand. You may be able to enter the field with a bachelor's degree, but consider online courses in "green" design and energy efficiency to bolster your credentials. Top annual earnings, in 2007, were $81,800.
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