How to Jumpstart Your Environmental Career
Written by CNM
So you've discovered that a job in the environmental sector seems like the perfect fit for you. But how do you develop that interest and turn it into a career?
Like many other professions, getting a job in the environmental industry requires training and formal education - in the form of a university degree in biochemistry or meteorology (the science of weather) for example, or training in career colleges for waste water management or solar power generator repair.
To complete that formal education, you first need to get accepted into an accredited university.
Gaining admission into Canada's top institutions for environmental studies is definitely a step in the right direction. But also remember that competition is tough among applicants. Whether you're choosing environmental studies as a second career, or if going into the green sector is a path you're forging for your new life in Canada, you have to be able to set yourself apart from thousands of other students who are looking to enter this in-demand industry.
To help boost your chances of getting accepted at the educational institutions we've profiled in our story Academic Paths to Green Careers, consider joining volunteer organizations that work on environmental issues. Some of these organizations include Evergreen, the Grand River Conservation Authority, the Ontario Parks Association, and the Royal Botanical Gardens.
For complete listings and description of these organizations, visit this website.
The best part is, volunteer groups such as these are located EVERYWHERE in Ontario. Scroll through the list and you're sure to find one close to where you live!
Not only do these organizations give you an excellent chance to work on environmental issues that matter, but as you might know, volunteering looks good on a resume. (Read more on this topic here!) Joining these groups will give you an invaluable chance to network with like-minded people. And who knows, the connections you make might lead to a future job offer!