Greening Our Careers--Go green and find meaning in a downturn // 10.17.2008 at 10:12 AM

by Sarah Warren

Categories: Business Innovations in Sustainability, Community Needs, Conservation, Global Warming, Quality of Work Life, Synergy

Email This Comment Give Kudos

How Do You "Green" Your Career in a Downturn? "Green" Your Position

So you've been thinking about how you can turn your professional skills into a green career—but you're looking at the economy and thinking it's not the best time.

But, as a green career transition coach, I say: You can always green your current position. And that has strategic career advantages.

Here is how Melissa evolved into her current position as "Business Development Executive, Innovation and Sustainability Solutions" within a major global corporation. Several years ago when she was in sales, based on her conviction that sustainability was the only option for business and for our children, she started to look for kindred spirits within the company. She found them, and they formed what was initially an informal network. She spent many hours on her personal time becoming a content expert. She was then able to make the business case for sustainability. When an opportunity arose to do a substantial piece of research about the implications of climate change, she volunteered to co-lead the project. Now sustainability is in her job title.

Seven easy things you can do:

Find allies. Look for kindred spirits within your organization, and beyond. Look to your supply chain for strategic partners. This is what Steelcase did in a water conservation effort that saved them a lot of money. Look to your municipality for support.

Offer to help. Take initiative, solve problems.

Save your company money. Energy efficiency and energy conservation save money. Corning reports that they have reaped a 125% ROI year after year.

Get on a sustainability committee. Don't have one? Create one!

Get informed about sustainability. Read books, use the Internet, go to seminars.

Get involved in your community in sustainability. Go green at your children's school, or in your faith community, or Boards you sit on. This has more than one value—you develop your "green" networks, you develop credibility, and you develop more knowledge. And, you make a difference in various spheres in your life. That's rewarding.

Get on the Board of a green organization. Again, you build your networks and you establish credibility, all while making a difference.

Like Melissa, you may end up deciding that you want to stay where you are for the long haul—you may discover that you can make the biggest difference right where you are.

Or I you decide you want to go into a green career or company when the economy recovers, you are now well positioned.

Also, take heart, going "green" saves money. Energy efficiency and energy conservation save money. That's not a hard sell in an economic downturn.

To learn more about Dr. Sarah Warren's mission and services, including her Green Career Transition Teleseminars and one-on-one tele-coaching, visit www.ourspheresofinfluence.com.