26 min listen
Certifications: Do I need them?
Certifications: Do I need them?
ratings:
Length:
11 minutes
Released:
Aug 19, 2021
Format:
Podcast episode
Description
Sustainability certifications are a minefield. Do you have to spend time and money getting certified? How do you choose? GreenBiz’s John Davies knows which credentials are worth the effort and the cost—and when you don’t need them at all. In this episode, John gives us the scoop on:Gold-standard certifications specific to different industriesHands-on experience through internships, volunteering and other jobs is just as valuable as a certificationYou don’t need an Ivy League degree to get a green job1. Which green certifications do I need to get hired? Entry-level jobs don’t often require certifications. If you need one to do your job, the organization should offer the opportunity to get it as part of your job training. Each industry comes with its own certifications, as do many different roles within industries. You don’t need the entire alphabet soup of certifications. Some gold-standards are the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), GARP in finance (Global Association of Risk Professionals), LEED AP in design and APICS in supply chain management (Association of Supply Chain management).On their own, certifications don’t guarantee a job, a promotion or a salary increase.2. Additional valuable experiences that can give you a leg up Leading the Sustainability Transformation from WholeWorks and GreenBiz is a 10-week simulation of a triple-bottom-line company. (Companies that attend to the triple bottom line attempt to ensure that their activities benefit people, profit and the planet.)EDF’s Climate Corps is a fellowship that offers opportunities to implement practical sustainability solutions in real companies. A listener asks: “Do I need an Ivy League degree to get a leadership role in sustainability?” Not by a long shot! An elite degree is not a prerequisite for a career in sustainability. Many sustainability professionals want to mentor the next generation of purpose-driven workers, no matter their educational background. Your degree doesn’t matter as much as you might think. A critical thinking degree in the humanities is just as relevant to sustainability as is engineering or biochemistry.Learn more:Figure out which certifications are right for you: GreenBiz’ certification how-to guideSustainable Career Pathways’ certification breakdown For links to the policy and advocacy organizations mentioned in this episode, see our Green Jobs Hub.
Released:
Aug 19, 2021
Format:
Podcast episode
Titles in the series (60)
This climate champion will upend the way you think about city government jobs: Chris Castro joined the City of Orlando as the Director of Sustainability and Resilience in 2016, but his title doesn’t even begin to capture Chris’s drive to fight climate change and environmental injustice. In just a few years, he’s helped start solar co-ops. He’s increased electric vehicle adoption. And he’s helped low-income residents invest in clean energy. Chris believes that greening a city doesn’t just help fight climate change. It also helps communities and families prosper. One of his most exciting initiatives reduces the massive carbon footprint of the food we eat– and also helps feed families. It’s called fleet farming, and it turns front lawns into working farms. Fair warning: Chris is going to completely upend the way that you think about city government forever. by Degrees: Real talk about planet-saving careers