Green jobs draw grads

The environment has gotten much attention from both presidential campaigns of late, but the issue is nothing new for students on college campuses. Undergraduates attentive to the need for increased environmental awareness have helped raise the issue to prominence and make it a talking point on the campaign trail. Students at Boston College have been no less active.

While some students look to dedicate themselves to jobs specifically dealing with environmental issues, students interested in other fields search for ways to incorporate their concern for the environment into their chosen profession. Companies that are not explicitly concerned with the environment have worked to green their infrastructure by instituting recycling programs or improving energy efficiency, among other initiatives. Students are now preferentially accepting jobs from companies that have "green standards" over companies that do not, said Theresa Harrigan, career center director.

"During a staff meeting, I asked my board of council if there was an increase in students who were concerned about the environment, and there has definitely been an increase. As they [students] are making choices about companies to work for, they are now seeing if they have green practices," Harrigan said.

As employers look for skilled workers, they understand the importance of sound environmental practices to university graduates considering potential workplaces. "I think that companies have certainly been more sensitive to students who are more interested in sustainable companies, so the organizations and companies are making sure that it is public and noticeable … In general, it's a national response to environmental issues. There is definitely awareness," Harrigan said.

It may be confusing as to why it would matter if a workplace - such as an office building - did get involved in environmentally friendly practices. Jessica Schmierer, BC '07, who is now the program coordinator of the environmental studies department, believes that every little bit is important when it comes to advancing the "green movement."

"I think it is very important for students to be aware of their impact, and if they know their employer is doing something good for the environment as well, then as a whole, we can work toward a better situation on the planet. So it is very exciting that we have students who are conscious about where they are working and whether their employer or boss is thinking of the environment - even if they aren't working toward a specific environmental goal," Schmierer said.

"I'm hoping this is not a fad. I think for this to have a successful and important impact on our current state, we need to have companies and employees changing their mindset and shifting their beliefs to sustainable practices. I think right now what's happening is great and we're just starting, but I am afraid that it might just be on the surface level, and it needs to get deeper. Even if we have a lot of companies just starting to think about it, it is hopefully a stepping stone where we can take off from," she said.

What makes this green movement even more interesting is that it is taking off with today's current generation and students in college. Many companies are just starting to be greener in order to attract today's college graduates.

"I noticed it [companies trying to be greener] a lot this past year … I think it is evolving," Harrigan said. "It is more of a concern than it has been in the past. In addition, this class is very concerned because they are more aware from the reports and crises that have been occurring while they are in college … More companies are definitely going to be promoting that they are green companies. They will actually emphasize that."

Even as the economy struggles, green jobs have continued to grow in number and variety.

Peggy Fox, BC '08, who is studying forestry and is a volunteer in the Peace Corps, said that the green job market will continue to grow.

"I do think that one of the few sectors that is seeing significant growth is the green jobs sector. This is most likely where jobs will continue to be," Fox said.

In fact, Eric Strauss, professor of biology and director of the environmental studies program, believes that there is tremendous potential growth for companies to go green and develop new jobs.

"The green job revolution has tremendous opportunity for expansion because it's an expanding industry. Just like the steel and rail industries dramatically expanded during the Industrial Revolution - there seemed to be endless jobs," Strauss said. "They were the backbone of our prosperity, but are now declining. However, we now have the opportunity to catch the revolution of green jobs, which can give the same kind of opportunities that were around during the years of industrial expansion.

"You can imagine a company that has no history of direct environmental commitment, but they might hire a sustainability officer for that company,"

Strauss said. "They might hire somebody to develop a recycling program for the products they use. They might hire a landscape architect who could help them design a system maintaining the grounds that use less water. Those are all green jobs. And so what we're seeing is this green revolution that is creating employment opportunities across the spectrum. On average, green jobs are paying more than similar level jobs that are not directly targeting sustainability in the environment."

It is only natural that students from top universities should look for employment that places an emphasis on environmental concerns, Strauss said. He said that the increased need also generally increases compensation.

"A lot of students are predisposed to the environment, have the necessary skills, and can then work while maintaining what the world needs. With that, people can have employment security in addition to contributing to positive world change," Strauss said.