|
Tip of the Week | Blog | Upcoming Events | What's New | About | Subscription
Welcome to the Green Career Tip of the Week
|
Online Version of this Issue Green Career Tips Archive
Ready for a thoughtful green bookstore? Read the announcement for our Green Career Central Book Store that we've put together to inform and inspire you.
Do you want the quick and effective overview of sustainability? This Tip of the Week gives you fun and easy resources on waste, sustainability, and biomimicry to help you build your green knowledge base.
Did you get a f.r.e.e month on the Green Career Central site this week? Scroll down to see if the beginning of your email is next to the treasure chest. We do this every week!
Connect with us on these social networking sites:
Linked-In Twitter iTunes
  
Announcing the Green Career Central Book Store
We’ve just put together a list of books we think you’ll find informative and inspiring as you explore the green economy. We’ve honed down our list to include bestsellers and the books we’ve found helpful in our own understanding of this new world.
Although our categories are likely to evolve as we develop this section, you can find recommendations for the following topics:
- Upcoming titles
- General Green Topics
- Green Economy
- Green Business
- Green Jobs and Careers
- Start Your Own Green Business
- Industry Specific Resources
- Regional Resources
Over time we’ll also add DVDs, ebooks, and other resources. As we do so, we’ll keep you posted!
Unless noted, the links will take you to Amazon.com.
Tip of the Week: From Waste to Sustainability: Visual Ways to Explore Key Green Economy Topics
While doing research for Green Careers For Dummies, I’ve come across several sites and videos that do a great job of describing some of the most critical concepts within the green economy.
If you are building your knowledge base regarding issues of sustainability in business, scan these topics to find videos and interactive websites that can give you the basics in a relatively short period of time.
Waste: The Story of Stuff
This 20 minute online video is a compact, detailed, and fast-moving description of how we extract resources from the Earth to make stuff. Then we distribute stuff, use stuff (for a surprisingly short period of time) and then we throw away our stuff. After traveling far and wide to understand exactly what happens to our trash, Annie Leonard wrote and hosted this video. This fascinating expose has been seen by 6.5 million views in 200 countries since December 2007.
Even if “waste” is not your favorite topic, do yourself the favor of watching this video. It’s a reality check everyone on the planet, and certainly every US citizen, needs to see.
PS. We just happened to see a new PBS show called Trashed: This is the story of garbage – American style. Another very informative look at this critical topic of our time. Definitely worth your time if you happened to catch it on television. If you miss it, watch the movie trailer. If you are inspired to watch the entire thing you can buy the DVD for about $20.00
Sustainability: Interface Company Site
Now that you are riled up by how much waste we are creating as a culture, turn your attention to Interface, a company that manufactures modular carpet sustainably. After the CEO had a life changing awakening regarding the impact their petroleum based business was having on the planet, the entire company pulled together to transform their company in innovative and inspiring ways.
As part of their vision to make a difference, they’ve included a description of their journey to sustainability for all to read. I highly recommend taking some time to review this section of their site. You’ll no doubt pick up on their excitement and passion for what they are doing at the company. Here are a few links to get you started:
Okay… so there’s also one relevant book to share with you as well. Read Ray’s story about his awakening and the path his company has taken. Though written in 1999, this book is still very popular because you get to witness a company moving toward sustainability.
Cradle to Cradle: Waste = Food Documentary
Another way to handle waste is to design it out of the process from the beginning. Or better yet, design products such that the “waste” from one process or product becomes the “food” for the next product.
Nature does this already. As you walk through a forest you are surrounded by decaying matter, mature trees, and signs of new growth, which feeds on the decaying matter. In other words, Waste = Food. This cyclical process is now being used as an inspiration for how products can be designed and manufactured.
If you’ve heard of the book, Cradle to Cradle by William McDonough and Michael Braungart, but you haven’t had a chance to read it yet, here’s a great opportunity to get an overview of the concept through a 45 minute online video. If we were to name one of the cornerstone concepts for changing business as usual, the concept of Cradle to Cradle would definitely make the list.
Nature Inspired Design: Biomimicry
Biomimicry takes the notion of sustainable design one more step. By observing how animals and plants handle the challenges of surviving and thriving on Earth, architects, industrial designers, engineers, manufacturers, business owners, and entrepreneurs can discover non-toxic, sustainable ways to respond to a wide variety challenges they face in designing the built environment. One of the most inspiring aspects of this work is that designers from the business world collaborate with biologists, chemists, and others from the world of science.
Even if you and your career don’t fall into one of the categories above, do yourself the favor of at least watching the TED Conference video of the founder of this movement describing how much we can learn from nature. The way you view nature and our built environment will be forever changed.
Actions You Can Take
I realize I’ve provided you with a number of links in this newsletter. If you only have time to explore one topic, choose the one that sounds intriguing to you. Or set aside some time each day this week to check out the links associated with each topic.
I promise you the time you devote to these links will be time well spent. You’ll walk away more inspired than ever to make a difference with your career.
Copyright © 2009 Transition Dynamics Enterprises, Inc.
Highlighted Event
Solar Job Guide - A Comprehensive e-Book about How to Get a Job in the Solar Industry.
The Solar Job Guide provides an insider's picture of the industry and explains how to get a job. Frank Marquardt, a leading expert on green careers, offers detailed information about the industry, drawn directly from people who work in it.
Read the guide to:
- Discover proven techniques for landing a job in the solar industry.
- Get job search tips from professionals who've successfully transitioned to the industry.
- Learn the top trends driving the adoption of solar technologies around the world so you can speak knowledgeably about the industry in your interviews.
- Find out what recruiters think is the best way to land a job in the industry.
- Learn how to succeed in your interviews.
- Gain easy access to extensive resources, including industry organizations, networking groups, and educational opportunities.
To learn more about this valuable resource, check out a description of this ebook!
"Outstanding resource for people interested in careers in the solar industry."
--Jim Cassio, Author of the Green Careers Resource Guide and co-author of Green Careers: Choosing Work for a Sustainable Future
Green Career Central Blog:
Green Career Trends: In this week’s trends we take a look at converting agricultural waste into energy and signs of growth in the smart grid arena.
Follow the Green Money: This week, money is flowing to thin film solar and several smart grid projects. Check out the details.
Save the Clean Air Act, Contact Your Senators: The clean energy and security act (ACES) that was recently passed by the House of Representatives contained a hidden provision that would repeal a key part of the Clean Air Act. Take Action NOW!
Membership Has Its Advantages!
The discussion forum topic, audios, ebook, and articles listed below are available to members of GreenCareerCentral.com as a part of their membership. If you're not a member and would like to have immediate access, we'd love to have you join us now!
Green Career Central is a membership site with a comprehensive set of easy-to-use programs, resources, and events to help people achieve their green career dreams whether they want to find a green job, start a green business, or get a green education.
  
"It's a hard to find an investment these days that pays for itself many times over but the annual fee for joining Green Career Central is certainly worth every penny. The process laid out is structured and easy to follow. It takes you through the steps to get a truer understanding what your interests and skills are and makes you excited about researching your career options, while giving you a sense of progress and accomplishment. The weekly tips and "how to" resources on the website are time saving and are in of themselves an invaluable resource. Thanks Carol."
~WG Becoming an Energy Systems Consultant
Read what other members are saying about Green Career Central here....
|
|
This Week's Drawing for a
30-Day Trial Membership: jasonsasak
If this is the beginning of your email address, contact us with a subject line of "Trial Membership" and we'll tell you how to get signed up for your 30-day trial membership to GreenCareerCentral.com. You must reply within 2 weeks of the date of this newsletter.
Current Members...you didn't think we'd leave you out, did you? If you see the beginning of your email address, we'll add one more month to your membership.
|
What's New at GreenCareerCentral.com
Function Profile
Occasionally we run into a key concept in the green economy that feels like an industry until we dig into the details. Then we realize that it’s a function that can be performed in a number of green industries. This week’s profile is about Design – whether you are interested in designing homes, industrial plants, utilities, or products. Take a look at this profile to gain some new perspective.
Green Career Central Bookstore
We’ve just added a new resource to our Green Career Resource section. In our new bookstore we recommend books you’ll want to read as you prepare for your green career. Take a look at the bookstore.
Thinking of Starting a Green Business?
We have a green business center to help you get started with your green business. You’ll find resources and associations where you can learn more about what it takes to start and run a green business.
Did You Know...
...if you missed a Tip of the Week, you can read the archived publications?
Green Career Tips Archive
About Us
|
|
Green Career CentralTM is a virtual career center for motivated professionals who are ready to find a green career that fully expresses their passions, skills, values, and talents.
Carol McClelland, PhD, founder and Executive Director of Green Career Central, has helped thousands of people discover their dream career through her book Your Dream Career For Dummies and her work with individuals, groups, and students. Together with her team of experts, researchers and writers, Carol has pulled together sixteen years of experience into a broad collection of how-to articles, resources, support, and teleclasses to help you find your way to make a difference and prosper.
Why not have the green career you've been dreaming of? You can struggle on your own or gain support throughout your journey. The decision is obvious ... Join Us Now!
|
Copyright (c) 2007-2009. Transition Dynamics Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Green Career CentralTM is a trademark of Transition Dynamics Enterprises, Inc
PO Box 354, Menlo Park, CA 94026
650 322 8661 | Contact
Subscriber Information
|
