Using internships and volunteering to get a green job
Want to get a green job but don’t have the background or skills? You’re not alone - plenty of folks find themselves in the same boat. In addition to going back to school for more training, you should consider a volunteer or internship position at a green company.
One of the advantages of volunteering is that you can gain experience with an organization AND meet others who work in the green economy. These new contacts may help you in finding a paying job. You’ll also have the satisfaction of knowing that your efforts are helping valuable organizations - even if they don’t pay you right away.
A good place to start your hunt for a volunteer position is the Corporation for National and Community Service.This website has lots of great information about organizations that need volunteers, plus an extensive section on AmeriCorps, which has a number of green-focused positions (both paid and unpaid).
Internships provide a more focused, pre-professional work experience. An internship provides a way to ‘test the waters’ at a specific company or in a particular occupation without making the long term commitment of a full-time job. You can start your search at websites such Internweb.com, which enables you to specify location, industry, job function, time of year and keyword.
Internships can be paid or unpaid, and some may even offer college credit. However, make sure you are clear on the terms of the internship before accepting. Remember, keeping your long term focus on what you want to do in the green economy is key to finding an internship or volunteer position that will get you there.