Workshop informs of eco-friendly jobs

In an economy where 9.1 percent of the population is unemployed and the jobless are flocking to the picket lines, hope can be seen in the steadily growing rate of "green" careers.

In recognition of this environmental triumph, the UCF E-Coalition hosted its second annual Green Jobs Workshop Friday in the Student Union, where students and community members alike were invited to scope out clean careers and learn how to get themselves noticed in the green job sector.

This year, the workshop was expanded to allow attendees to sit and talk with professionals from diverse fields of study such as sustainable agriculture, business, health and policy.

"It's a way for students to connect with people from companies that are going to be there once they graduate," said Samantha Ruiz, co-president of Intellectual Decisions on Environmental Awareness Solutions. "A lot of people don't make the connection between the environment and creating a career for themselves."

Representatives from UCF Career Services & Experiential Learning, UCF Sustainability & Energy Management, Aramark, UCF Landscape and Natural Resources and the Space Coast Energy Consortium were present at the event to speak with students about their green career interests and how they can use their unique skill sets to better the environment.

About 20 students came out to learn about green job opportunities that are available both inside and outside the UCF community, and they received one-on-one feedback about their résumés and experience in environmental initiatives.

Attendees broke into groups to learn about green careers in several different fields, each of which was led by a "green" professional.

Tom Carey, owner of Sundew Gardens, an organic vegetable market garden in Oviedo, led his group in a discussion of sustainable agriculture.

"In the U.S. over the last 100 years, we've been proud about how few jobs we've created in agriculture," Carey said. "All of the sudden we have a chance to create an immense number of jobs through local agriculture."

Toward the end of the workshop, students flocked to the back of the room to speak to representatives from organizations such as the Florida Conservation Alliance and the Space Coast Energy Consortium to learn more what's being done in the green jobs sector.

"Students are nervous that they're going to get out of college and there's not going to be a job for them in the traditional workforce," said Cody Metcalf, workshop speaker and board chair for the Florida Conservation Alliance. "You have to consider green jobs as the opportunity to create jobs."

While green jobs are a fairly new concept to our country, about 2.7 million people are employed by the "clean economy" sector, according to a report recently released by the Brookings Institution.

Most of these jobs fall into the categories of conservation and public transit, but Ruiz said that there are many green careers outside of these disciplines.

"Sustainability can really be involved in any field, especially in business," Ruiz said. "That's an area that can really thrive by tying in sustainable aspects."

In his opening speech, Metcalf stressed the growth of green careers in today's economy.

"In every interview you have, you should ask about the sustainability initiatives at that company," he said.

Representatives from the Space Coast Energy Consortium informed attendees of a database they're creating that lists different green jobs around Florida that will be offered to university students. Thus far, the list consists of 159 jobs.

David Norvell, director for UCF Sustainability & Energy Management, said that his campus department is particularly interested in hiring students.

"We always have a huge workload, so whenever we do have someone that fits what we're looking for, we generally hire them," Norvell said. "It's really just a matter of them contacting us."

Norvell said that the key to getting the job in the first place, however, is for students to obtain experience in their field of study.

Career Services & Experiential Learning was able to help in that respect during the workshop, as many students signed up to online application services. Through the service, green job opportunities will be sent out to them through email.

"Students definitely got connections with multiple business, or the business are going to connect them with someone else," said Julian Belilty, Student Government Association sustainability specialist.

Rob Levinthal, senior environmental studies major, said he sees this workshop as a catalyst to a sustainable career path.

"Through education, we've learned that climate change is real, and it's something we need to take seriously." Levinthal said. "I want to be a part of the difference."