Degrees: Real talk about planet-saving careers

BJ Johnson is in a hurry—and for good reason. He’s frustrated by the slow pace of change to address the climate crisis. And he’s angry about how air particle pollution endangers everyone, but especially marginalized groups. Black, brown, and poor communities are especially plagued by harmful health outcomes—like asthma, COPD and other lung diseases—from environmental pollutants. Regardless of their state or income, Black residents are exposed to 26% higher levels of soot from heavy-duty diesel trucks than the national average. Once exposed, they are then at a three times higher risk of dying.BJ won’t settle for it taking another two decades to solve the problem. As he tells host Yesh Pavlik Slenk, “This notion of, oh, well it's okay, that five-year-olds in L.A. today have asthma because we'll have electric school buses in 2040—we need to reject that type of thinking and start asking, no—why can't we start making this better today?”Which is exactly what he’s trying to do. BJ talks with Yesh about how he and ClearFlame cofounder Julie Blumreiter are working to transform the dirty fossil-fuel-based trucking industry into a clean one, affordably. Now.But that’s not all—the two founders are also fighting for more diversity, inclusion and equity in academia and in the world of high-tech startups. Johnson is one of a small handful of Black academics who have earned doctorates in engineering. Sadly, that’s not surprising: women and Black people (both men and women) remain underrepresented in STEM degrees and careers, according to the Pew Research Center. Black people are especially underrepresented in engineering, where they make up only 5% of all groups in that field, despite being 11% of the workforce. Blumreiter and Johnson, who is half-Black, call for an end to this inequity. Writing in an open letter on their website, they reference their own experiences as being “consistently underestimated” because of their identities. In their letter, they call for acknowledgment that solving the world’s problems must come from “a diverse range of thought-leaders.”Additional Information:Grist: Grist 50 2021  ClearFlame was named one of Grist’s top 50 “fixers” of issues surrounding climate change in 2021.Techcrunch: ClearFlame Engine Technologies takes aim at cleaning up diesel enginesOEM Off-Highway: ClearFlame Receives DOE Grant to Support R&D of Clean Engine TechnologyNew York Times: Biden Tightens Emissions RulesPew Research Center: STEM Jobs See Uneven Progress in Increasing Gender, Racial and Ethnic DiversityAmerican Lung Association: https://www.lung.org/clean-air/outdoors/who-is-at-risk/disparitiesFollow BJ Johnson and ClearFlame Engine Technologies: Twitter: Clear Flame Engine Technologies (@ClearFlameEng)LinkedIn: BJ JohnsonCompany website: ClearFlame Engine TechnologiesFollow EDF:Not yet receiving the Degrees newsletter? Join us here! Twitter: EDF (@EnvDefenseFund)Facebook: Environmental Defense FundInstagram: environmental_defense_fundLinkedIn: Environmental Defense Fund(1) https://www.pewresearch.org/science/2021/04/01/stem-jobs-see-uneven-progress-in-increasing-gender-racial-and-ethnic-diversity/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Brooklyn-based Lake Street Dive is Yesh’s favorite band ever! She was so excited to talk to them about her most passionate subject, climate change, and to find out that they care about saving the world (especially for future generations) as much as she does.Most people don’t think about how their favorite bands contribute to healing our planet. According to a study published in the academic journal Popular Music in 2019, five Scottish touring bands collectively created 19,314 kg (approx. 21 tons) of carbon emissions between the months of April and September. The average yearly carbon emissions per person globally, according to The Nature Conservancy, is four tons.Lake Street Dive strives to make a difference. Drummer Mike Calabrese, a passionate environmentalist, has taken the lead in educating his fellow band members about climate change and inspiring them to take action. At their shows, they’ve created a culture of environmentalism by allowing only reusable water bottles and utensils—and of course by recycling. They have also partnered with Cool Effect, a carbon offsetting non-profit, to support environmental efforts that help underserved communities around the world. One beneficiary is the Los Santos Wind Power Project, which intends to provide clean energy to 50,000 people in the Los Santos region of Costa Rica. Their latest album, Obviously, includes the song “Making Do” about the effects of global warming on the lives of young people. Calabrese and lead singer Rachael Price discuss their experiences as an eco-conscious touring band, including their politics in their art, and how people can overcome their fears about our changing world in order to make it better for everyone. Resources mentioned in this episode:IPCC: AR6 Climate Change 2021Additional Resources:Cambridge: Do music festivals communities address environmental sustainability and how? A Scottish case studyThe Nature Conservancy: Calculate Your Carbon FootprintCool Effect: Lake Street Dive (Info about Lake Street Dive’s collaboration with carbon offset nonprofit Cool Effect)Ladygunn: Lake Street Dive is "Obviously" Making Do (Rachael Price talks with Ladygunn.com about the album Obviously)Spotify: Mother Earth Podcast  (Mike Calabrese discusses his environmentalism)FDA: Food loss and waste in the U.S.  (In the U.S., food waste is approx. 30-40% of the food supply)Follow Lake Street Dive:Facebook: Official Lake Street Dive FacebookTwitter: Lake Street Dive (@lakestreetdive)Instagram: @lakestreetdiveWebsite: Lake Street Dive OfficialFollow EDF:Sign up for the new Degrees newsletter!Twitter: EDF (@EnvDefenseFund)Facebook: Environmental Defense FundInstagram: environmental_defense_fundLinkedIn: Environmental Defense Fund Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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Networking takes work. Sam Charner offers specific advice to help you become a more effective networker, no matter whether you’re a student, a new jobseeker, or a career changer. Don’t just sign up for a networking group. Get involved.Don’t just sign up and read the occasional newsletter. Participate in virtual and in-person events. Volunteer to help organize the next event.Join small projects and committees to get to know a small group of people on a deeper level. Ask members to recommend job boards, events and additional networking groups and professional associations. Don’t go into every interaction thinking, “How is this person going to help me get a job?” Build relationships. How do I choose a professional community (or more than one)? Identity-specific communities can be wonderful support systems. Examples include communities for women, veterans, and people who identify as BIPOC and/or LGBTQ. Joining geographic-specific communities helps you meet other local and regional planet savers, and also people who live where you want to move. There are sustainability-minded groups all over the globe, in neighborhoods, universities, cities and towns, states and provinces. To learn more about your desired field or profession and make connections within it, join industry groups like those for wind energy, agriculture, transit and urban planning, packaging, supply chains and more. What else should I consider before joining?Make sure the topics important to the organization are also important to you. You can’t join every organization, so pick the ones you’re truly curious about. What does it cost to join? If it’s expensive, this community may be more interested in recruiting experts and seasoned professionals with extensive experience than newbies. If you’re not ready for that commitment, keep looking. Word of mouth counts. Know a member of the community you’re thinking about? Ask them what it's like — and if they think it’s worth it.Learn more:Join your local Net Impact chapter (or start one)! There are more than 400 chapters in over 40 countries.Peruse more than 40 networks to join on Sustainable Career Pathways.Register for Net Impact’s Regenerative Economy series of events, connection and conversation. To make the most of your new relationships, read Net Impact’s guide to perfecting the informational interview. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

For more guidance on making the biggest green job hunting pain points less painful, read on. Keep in mind: An hour spent networking is more valuable than an hour spent applying for jobs you find on the internet.In your resume, focus on the outcomes of your workLearn how broaden your job search by applying specific modifications to your dream jobFor more guidance, visit Net Impact’s Six Steps to Job Search Success.1. How do I write a resume that results in a job interview?Focus on what you’ve accomplished -- big or small -- rather than on your everyday responsibilities. Include specific examples of outcomes, like the number of shares on a social media post or a project getting picked up by the media. Think about numbers, percentages and other metrics.Use these examples to demonstrate the benefits you’ll bring to a new organization or hiring manager. 2. Why can’t I get a job interview?You’re not networking well. Don’t apply blind if you can help it. Find a classmate, former employer, or friend of a friend who is connected to the organization you are applying to.  An hour spent networking is more valuable than an hour spent applying for jobs you find on the internet. You should be networking at least triple the time you spend searching for jobs online. Build a network of people you trust to offer encouragement, hold you accountable, ask you tough questions and serve as sounding boards for practice interviews. 3. There are so many kinds of planet-saving jobs. Where do I fit?Consider which type of workplace is most appealing: nonprofit, government agency, foundation, B Corp (triple-bottom line company), for-profit business (large or small?) or community organization. Traditional roles like accounting and marketing are vital to every organization focused on sustainability. Many traditional for-profit businesses now hire “impact” roles such as sustainability analysts and reporters and policy advocates.4. I want to help save the planet but I don’t know where to start. To begin envisioning your dream job, write it out, draw it, or describe it to a friend. What are the day-to-day tasks? What type of organization? Any specific dream organizations? Are you working in front of a screen or out in the field? Do you want to work on a team or solo?Which parts of your dream job are you willing to modify? For example, would you still be interested if it were for a different company? What if the organization were much smaller than you’ve imagined, or in a rural area rather than a city? Modify the role in a couple of ways and open up your job hunt.Organize a group of friends or classmates to keep you accountable on your job search with Net Impact’s self-guided workshop, Making A Path (MAP). Learn more: Find social impact and sustainability job listings on Net Impact’s Job BoardTransform a traditional resume to a green one with Greenbiz’s Resume GuideOnce you get that interview, practice! Use Net Impact’s interview toolkit to get ready. Visit our Green Jobs Hub for job-hunting resources and listings and more links to information about salary and diversity in green careers.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sustainability certifications are a minefield. Do you have to spend time and money getting certified? How do you choose? GreenBiz’s John Davies knows which credentials are worth the effort and the cost—and when you don’t need them at all. In this episode, John gives us the scoop on:Gold-standard certifications specific to different industriesHands-on experience through internships, volunteering and other jobs is just as valuable as a certificationYou don’t need an Ivy League degree to get a green job1. Which green certifications do I need to get hired? Entry-level jobs don’t often require certifications. If you need one to do your job, the organization should offer the opportunity to get it as part of your job training. Each industry comes with its own certifications, as do many different roles within industries. You don’t need the entire alphabet soup of certifications. Some gold-standards are the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), GARP in finance (Global Association of Risk Professionals), LEED AP in design and APICS in supply chain management (Association of Supply Chain management).On their own, certifications don’t guarantee a job, a promotion or a salary increase.2. Additional valuable experiences that can give you a leg up Leading the Sustainability Transformation from WholeWorks and GreenBiz is a 10-week simulation of a triple-bottom-line company. (Companies that attend to the triple bottom line attempt to ensure that their activities benefit people, profit and the planet.)EDF’s Climate Corps is a fellowship that offers opportunities to implement practical sustainability solutions in real companies. A listener asks: “Do I need an Ivy League degree to get a leadership role in sustainability?” Not by a long shot! An elite degree is not a prerequisite for a career in sustainability. Many sustainability professionals want to mentor the next generation of purpose-driven workers, no matter their educational background. Your degree doesn’t matter as much as you might think. A critical thinking degree in the humanities is just as relevant to sustainability as is engineering or biochemistry.Learn more:Figure out which certifications are right for you: GreenBiz’ certification how-to guideSustainable Career Pathways’ certification breakdown For links to the policy and advocacy organizations mentioned in this episode, see our Green Jobs Hub.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

John Davies of GreenBiz shares his latest findings on compensation, pay equity and how you can increase your value — and your salary. 1. How does my role impact the salary I earn?Managers in sustainability careers make anywhere from $50,000 to $280,000 a year. The longer you’ve been at your job, the more you make. But what are the other factors?Your responsibilities, particularly the number of people and projects you manage, have an outsized impact on salary. Already working in sustainability but wishing for a bigger paycheck? When people switch organizations, they often do so for a raise. (But don’t overlook your ability to use a job offer to negotiate for better pay where you already work.) When it comes to compensation, most master’s degrees don’t seem to make much of a difference. But in corporate sustainability jobs, having an MBA could. About a third of managers, directors and vice presidents have MBAs. 2.  How diverse are green jobs? How does diversity relate to compensation? The number of women in sustainability leadership roles has increased close to 20 percentage points in every category since 2010.Corporate sustainability jobs have almost achieved gender pay equity. On average, women make a few thousand dollars less than their male counterparts. Increasingly, companies are hiring from outside, not simply promoting from within. This gives organizations access to more people. For organizations that are intentional about it, access to a wider pool of candidates can increase diversity. But the profession has a long way to go. When it comes to racial diversity, the numbers are stark: 77 percent of managers identify as white or Caucasian. To help solve this problem, GreenBiz is launching Greenbiz.org. It’s a nonprofit designed to bring more BIPOC candidates into the profession. 3. A listener asks: “Having a passion for sustainability used to be a unique quality that would get you over that edge for a job, but that’s not so true anymore. How do I show my unique value?” John’s advice:Don’t wait for a sustainability job title to take action. Work within your current role to bring sustainability to your workplace.Identify your organization’s sustainability “problem areas.” What are your ideas for solving them?  Where can you improve circularity? Share your strategies with management and get to work where you are. Then, when you are ready to switch organizations, you’ll be able to show off your real-work outcomes.  Learn more:Stay up-to-date with the latest news in sustainability and business with GreenBiz:Read the latest State of the Profession ReportWatch webcasts on Women in SustainabilityFor more in increasing diversity in green jobs, visit GreenBiz.org Visit our Green Jobs Hub for job-hunting resources and listings and more links to information about salary and diversity in green careers.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sustainability jobs are growing fast. From industry hot spots to the most-needed skills, Episode 2 is full of insider tips for jobseekers from John Davies of GreenBiz, the go-to hub for the latest in business and sustainability. For all of the guidance and resources mentioned in this episode, visit Land a Green Job 101 online. 1. Which industries are growing planet-saving jobs?After years of sputtering along, sustainability job postings on LinkedIn grew about 10% in 2019. Some roles are part of small corporate sustainability teams. But sustainability skills are needed in more traditional positions as well. Download the GreenBiz State of the Profession report.These jobs are growing across industries:ManufacturingSupply chain managementEnvironmental, Social and Governance (ESG) CompaniesFinanceFashionEnergyTechnologyMedical devicesTransportation2. Which skills are in greatest demand?More and more industries are seeking people who understand circularity. For information about new jobs in the circular economy, read this GreenBiz column.Companies are greening their systems. Skills needed are specific to companies and industries.Industries moving quickly on circularity include medical devices, tech companies, and fashion. For in-depth information, read corporate sustainability reports. Look for their problem areas. Which skills do you have, or can you learn, that can solve these problems? Learn how to build business cases for sustainability:Become a translator between different departments — for example, supply chain, purchasing and manufacturing.Building a business case takes communication, presentation, skill in interpreting and reporting sustainability metrics and collaboration.Be a constant learner. Stay current on new innovations and the latest research in your target industries and organizations.Learn moreFind new sustainability job posts daily. Visit our Green Jobs Hub.For dozens of job boards in energy, sustainability and the nonprofit sector, visit Sustainable Career Pathways. Search for sustainability jobs on LinkedIn. 18 million jobs will result from the Paris Agreement, reports The International Labor Organization. Read more about the growth of the green economy globally. Read the Weinreb Group’s report on the rise of the Chief Sustainability Officer.  Read about how Chipotle and other companies are incentivizing executives to improve ESG goals through financial bonuses.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sustainability jobs expert Trish Kenlon asked jobseeker Maya Johnson five key questions to help her narrow down her career choices. Try them! And visit Land a Green Job 101, where we’ve listed tons of planet-saving resources for job hunters, from job listings to expert advice to communities you can join.   1. Which climate-change issue are you passionate about?There are so many issues, it’s hard to know where to start. Whether it’s a field trip to a dump, growing up with toxic air pollution, or watching sea levels rise, consider the issues you feel deeply about. (Not sure? What are you curious about? What worries you? These are clues.) 2. What kind of day-to-day work do you prefer?Which skills do you enjoy using? Do you like sitting at a desk, working alone or with others? Do you love talking with people? Try advocacy and community organizing.Do you like research and writing? Consider environmental policy and grant writing.Love data? You could be well suited to field research or lab work.Gravitate to social media? Investigate marketing and advertising roles in nonprofits, foundations, or sustainable companies.3. What kind of organization do you want to work for?Sustainability careers are now across industries and sectors. You could organize neighbors to grow a community garden; engineer fuel-efficient aircraft or write environmental policy—the list goes on.  Government work: You can work for local, state-level or federal departments. Starting at your mayor's office or parks department is a great way into a public-sector career. For a sense of how innovative public sector work can be, listen to Yesh’s interview with Orlando Sustainability Director Chris Castro. He’s working to make his city the greenest in America.Nonprofit: You can work for local land conservation organizations, statewide clean energy groups, nationwide or global nonprofits influencing sustainability practices on a larger scale. See our Green Jobs Hub for more ideas and links to sustainability job listings.For-profit: Companies need specialists who can help them implement triple-bottom-line policies and practices. It will take new leadership to expand organic farming, bring circularity to fashion and tech companies, and advance renewable energy use.4. Where do you want to live?For federal policy work, D.C. is probably your best bet. Many large nonprofits also influence federal and state policy; headquarters are in many major cities. Of course, working remotely is more and more common.State and county-level environmental agencies are located in cities of every size in all 50 states.You’d rather live quietly? Consider field work, research and conservation, which tend to take you out into nature and more rural areas.5. Which resources do you already have?Organizations where you have worked or volunteered: What did you like about the work? Dislike?Did you enjoy the people and work environment?Friends, classmates and former colleagues:Where are they now? Can they connect you with people in organizations where you want to work? Follow them on LinkedIn.When applying for jobs, these connections are key to getting out of the resume pile and landing an interview.Relevant news sources: Start your day with news sources that cover climate change, such as E&E, Reuters, Politico and Bloomberg. (For more, see our Green Jobs Hub.)By staying current, you’ll be more confident when networking and interviewing for jobs. You’ll also learn about new-to-you organizations you may want to work for.Learn more: Plan your job search strategy with job coach Trish Kenlon:Visit the Sustainable Career Pathways career coaching page.For more of Trish’s job search tips, listen back to How to Land a Sustainability J-O-B!Network with jobseeker Maya Johnson:Learn more about Maya Johnson’s Reach One Book scholarship on Instagram.For links to the many policy and advocacy organizations mentioned in this episode, see our Green Jobs Hub. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Trying to break into a sustainability job? Tune in to Land a Green Job 101 —six short episodes with pro tips from GreenBiz, Net Impact and Sustainable Career Pathways to help you find a planet-saving career. Visit our Green Jobs Hub for sustainability job boards, blogs, communities to join, expert tips and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.