What Don't You Know About Your Target Green Career?
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| Green Career Tip of the Week |
"Research is formalized curiosity. It is poking and prying with a purpose."
~ Zora Neale Hurston, Folklorist
It happens all the time. People know they want to work in a particular industry, but they don't know how to move forward on their job search. Sometimes they are about to give up on their goal of having a green career because they are so frustrated.
As I begin to ask questions to understand their situation, I discover that the biggest issue is that they don't know much about their target industry. With access to a few key industry resources, my clients are amazed by everything that's unfolding in their industry. Suddenly clarity about new opportunities takes shape.
Check out this week's article to learn more about how research will replace "I don't know..." with new clarity about your true options.
New news: Our Green Economy Map is now available without a recurring subscription! Check out our list of green industries and our new access options.
Getting two copies of our newsletter? Scroll to the bottom for instructions on how to modify your subscription
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Tip of the Week: What Don't You Know about Your Target Green Career?
When I talk with people who are passionate about working to create a sustainable future I notice they are often plagued with a case of the "I don't knows."
I often hear these comments:
- "I don't know what jobs are available within the industry."
- "I don't know what area of my target industry is best for me."
- "I'm not sure how to where to look to find the latest news of my target industry."
- "I don't know what companies exist within my target industry."
- "I don't know what training I need to excel in this industry."
Usually the people who make these comments are terribly frustrated. If they've been at it for a while they may even have an air of despair and hopelessness about them.
They want to work in the green economy, but they feel like they are at a standstill. They can't figure out how to break through to the information they need to plot their entry into the green economy.
Although it's possible they've hit a dead end, it's just as possible that implementing a bit of research will break open a new vision of the future.
A Few Secrets to Share
These are the principles I keep in mind as I hear people describe what they don't know about their green career industry.
- Just because you don't know something about your target industry or role, doesn't mean it doesn't exist. It just means you don't have the information you need to make critical decisions about your career.
- If you don't know something, be careful that you don't make decisions based on your own assumptions about the state of the industry.
The Key to Combating the "I Don't Knows"
In a word - research!
When you come up with a question or something you don't know about your green industry or role, take a two pronged approach to your research.
First - Do some research online to understand the basics of the topic. Head to your industry's professional or industry association website. Check out the topic on Wikipedia. Find out if the Green Career Central's Green Economy Map has a profile for your target industry.
Second - Talk with people in the field to gain more nuanced information about the topic. Talk to people at the association. Check out a LinkedIn Group to ask a well throughout question. Use your network to find someone who has worked in the field.
I always recommend starting your research online because then you'll have the basics, the terminology, and the best way to frame your question before you start interacting with your network. Your contact will appreciate that you've taken the time and effort to look into the topic on your own before asking them.
Don't blow a great networking connection by asking an uninformed question that you could have answered with a quick keyword search on Google.
The time you invest in researching your green career will pay off in many ways throughout every phase of your job search.
Copyright 2011, Transition Dynamics Enterprises, Inc
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Our Green Economy Map Is Now Available Without a Recurring Subscription!
For the last four years we've been gathering, evaluating, synthesizing, and organizing resources for over 50 different green industries. On average we have devoted between 10 to 40 hours to creating in depth industry profiles for a variety of green industries.
With a few clicks on Green Career Central, you...
- Develop a good understanding of what industries and sectors make up the green economy, perhaps uncovering some new opportunities you aren't yet aware of.
- Access the most relevant, informative articles, reports, blogs, and videos we've found that describe you with a clear understanding of how your target industry is structured.
- Discover a series of the key words you can use to deepen your search when you know the segment of the industry that's best for you.
- Gain access to a list of must-know terms that help you shine in your networking conversations and interviews.
Rather than needing to pay a monthly subscription fee to gain access to the Green Economy Map, you can now choose from three options to access the site for one month, three months, or one year.
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Get Started with Your Green Career Journey
Are you passionate about finding a way to contribute to the emerging green economy?
- Not sure where to start?
- Unclear about what steps to take?
- Trying to figure out where your skills fit within the green economy?
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About Us
Green Career Central(TM) is an online coaching and resource center designed to help mid-career professionals, students, new grads, and career counselors make sense of the green economy and the green job market.
Carol McClelland, PhD, author of the award-winning, Green Careers For Dummies, is one of the nation's leading green career experts and founder of Green Career Central. Throughout her career, Carol has helped thousands of people find careers that match their values and interests.
Copyright (c) Transition Dynamics Enterprises, Inc. 2007-2011.
All Rights Reserved.
Green Career CentralTM is a trademark of
Transition Dynamics Enterprises, Inc
PO Box 354, Menlo Park, CA 94026
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Subscriber Information
We distribute two editions of our newsletter. One for green career seekers and one for career counselors and coaches. To determine which edition you are receiving, click on the link below to change subscriber options.
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