Go Work for Green

"The best answer to our ecological crisis also responds to our socioeconomic crisis. The surest path to safe streets and peaceful communities is not more police and prisons, but ecologically sound economic development. And that same path can lead us to a new, green economy - one with the power to lift people out of poverty while respecting and reparing the environment" Van Jones, The Green Collar Economy

Join an extension of the Green Jobs Conference, called The Green Expo. This takes place on February 5, 2009 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington DC, from 9am-6 pm. Unlike the conference, this expo is free and open to the public. Freshen up your resume and put on your best dress for exciting jobs in sustainability. They include: green investment, renewable energy, architecture, environmental research, and transportation. Green collar jobs, according to Van Jones, the author of Green Collar Economy, will lead to job security, personal enjoyment, and an affiliation with your community while you are doing something right for it.

Be prepared for prizes and awesome tips on building your path to a green future! A list of exhibitors will be available on Jan. 16th at the website. This list will include schools, manufacturers, non-profit agencies, corporations and others that are committed to educating, hiring, training and developing workers in a wide range of green jobs. You will be among high school students, college students, career changers, academic officials, conference attendees, and policy makers.

This writer reports that one Upstate New Yorker is going. Vic Chambers, 26, separating from ten years from the Army Reserve, and currently a taxi driver for City Cab is looking for different options.

It is optimal for him because "I am further interested in the transportation industry. It isn't going to go green by going out of existence, it will be created through ingenuitive thinking and applications in engineering".

The last conference in 2008 happened in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. More than 800+ attended last year. New York Times continues to report that 28 states mandate that 1/10 or 1/4 of it's energy requirements come from renewable sources. It is no surprise the necessity of the expo and conference, and the necessity to revamp career goals to fit the rising job market for green jobs.

For further information, contact Connie Wanberg from the University of Minnesota at 612-624-4804 // wanbe001@umn.edu or contact Anne Obst from the University of Minnesota at 612-626-9748 or obstx011@umn.edu.