Do you enjoy being in nature or being a good steward of the environment? Have you thought about efficient ways to get people and things around? To sustain and conserve the earth’s resources, today more focus is given to Green Jobs than ever before. April 22nd is Earth Day. CareerLocker celebrates Earth Day by exploring occupations that protect our environment. Many employers are pursuing ways to maximize utility in an efficient and safe way for not only people, but also for the world.
In addition, there are domestic and international movements toward public transportation and green and sustainable methods of transportation. The way we heat and cool our homes and businesses is changing through the expansion of using solar energy. Discover four occupations that involve conservation.
- Bus Drivers— How do you get to where you want to go? Public transportation is among the most efficient ways of moving people. Bus drivers contribute to the ways the masses move. There are three types of bus drivers: local, intercity or charter, and school. They follow predetermined routes and time schedules to transport people within a city, from one city to another, or across the country. They inspect their buses before beginning each trip. They check brake lights and signals; tire pressure; and fuel, oil, and water levels, also adjusting bus temperatures for the comfort of their passengers. Travel your way through this exciting occupation by getting on the information highway and learning more about this fun occupation.
- Logisticians– Logisticians coordinate the manufacturing and delivering of products and services to ensure compliance with their customers’ purchase contracts. Considering manufacturing materials and processes, personnel, and the delivery of the products, logisticians must demonstrate the ability to pay high attention to detail. Typically logisticians have four-year degrees. Right out of college, they can earn around $45,000 per year, and with increasing experience earnings can reach as high as $114,000 per year. Logisticians have a projected 28% growth rate over the next ten years, making it a “hot” job.
- Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters—Did you watch Thomas the Train as a child? Do you like to travel and aspire to see the country? Railroad conductors and yardmasters are in charge of train and yard crews. They assure that passengers and freight get to their destinations safely and on schedule. They frequently interact with passengers, engineers, and staff. Enjoying high salaries and good benefits, they take pride in delivering people and products safely and on schedule. Be like Thomas, make friends, and pursue a career in the railroad industry.
- Solar Panel Installers— Do you like the outdoors? How do you stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer? What green energy workers are helping the energy grid that powers the computer you are working on to read this? Solar panel installers place solar panels in sunny places to utilize the sun’s power as an energy source. They install solar modules on the ground, on poles, on roofs, and on the sides of buildings. The solar modules are made from solar cells, which convert sunlight into electricity. Once a solar module is installed, it can create energy for 25 years.
Whether you choose to help move things, move people, or heat and cool our homes, each of these occupations, bus drivers, logisticians, railroad conductors and yardmasters, and solar panel installers are needed to conserve the environment. While meeting the needs of people, green jobs focus on long-term sustainability. Green energy is the heat wave of the future! Each of these occupations requires a high level of competence, attention-to-detail and safety, and application of technical skills. To view these highlighted occupations and watch videos, go to the CareerLocker homepage.
“Hot” jobs are jobs projected to increase nationally in job openings by at least 20% over the next 10 years.
Co-written by Asma Easa and Julie M. Hau.
Asma Easa works at the Midwest Transportation Workforce Center at University of Wisconsin-Madison, one of five regional transportation workforce centers in the country. She is pursuing dual masters in International Public Affairs, and Urban and Regional Planning. Her focus areas include education policy and development.
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