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Green careers emerge

University Career Services are taking measures to ensure students are prepared to take advantage of an influx of ‘green jobs’ in the economy.

A panel of employers will discuss the green economy and how to find environmentally friendly careers at 2 p.m. today in the M.D. Anderson Memorial Library.’

‘Professionals from the city of Houston, Standard Renewable Energy and the U.S. Green Building Council will give information about getting into a green economy field,’ UH Career Services counselor Nancy Wilson said.’

The event will allow students to interact with employers about how to get their foot in the door at a green economy company, Wilson said.

‘This will also be a good way to network with employers,’ Wilson said. ‘Environmentally conscious students of any major can find a job that aligns with their beliefs.’

The coming job influx is due to Obama’s stimulus package, which includes $16.8 billion in renewable energy related industries.’

The U.S. Department of Energy classifies green jobs as careers with upward mobility, wages that can support a family and benefit the U.S.’s ecology.

‘ A study by the University of Tennessee showed that if the country’s renewable energy represented 25 percent by 2025, then 5 million or more green jobs will be created to meet the demand.’

The government, energy and architecture are three industries represented in the panel.’

For students who are interested in energy but don’t want to enter the oil industry, there are several companies working on renewable energy in Houston.’

‘When most people think about Houston, they think oil and natural gas,’ Wilson said. ‘They don’t know that there is a huge wind power industry in Houston.’ ‘

Green building will also be featured as a path architecture majors can take. There are three speakers who will address the opportunities that students will have in green building when they graduate.’

Even the City of Houston has areas of environmentally friendly career paths. There is the chief officer for sustainable growth and the code enforcement division.’

The panel discussion is presented by The Galveston-Houston Association for Smog Prevention, UH EnviroClub, Environment Texas and UH.

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