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10 Very Practical Tips for College Grads Trying to Get Into Clean Tech

More Americans than ever before are graduating from college and are now looking to get that green job they've heard so much about. Unfortunately, the person sitting next to you – and depending on what school you went to, potentially the 400 other people – in your environmental economics class are now your competition. Add to this that politically active universities have plastered their campuses with 'green jobs not jails' signs and 'green jobbed' their Facebook profile pictures – expectations are at an all-time high. For the most part, it's safe to say that engineers and accountants are always going to be in high demand – but what about the rest of us – how do we break on through?

The following are some very practical tips of the trade for the graduating class of 2009 – or the still-job-seeking class of 2008:

1. Look outside the usual clean-tech clusters.

Regional clean-tech hubs are emerging and everyone from recent grads to the newly unemployed are still flocking to them – making the job-market in these ‘first-mover’ cities hyper-saturated. Depending on the type of job, your application in Portland, Austin, Boston, or San Francisco will likely be competing against those of hundreds of other un- or under-employed job-seekers that are over-qualified for the position (I’ve even seen Ph.Ds and MBAs applying for administrative assistant positions at green non-profits in Portland!) I always recommend people consider other simmering clean-tech regions such as Toledo, Denver, San Diego, and Chicago.

2. Don't take on more academic debt as a default.

Historically, too many people have gone to graduate school as a default option if they had no other immediate opportunities. This is changing — and it should. Some graduate programs will provide you a graduation gift of a mortgage payment without a house. Double-true if you marry someone in a similar program. And while investing in your education can definitely get you where you want to go – graduate school does not guarantee your ability to get a job (see tip #1). Caveat: see if someone will pay you to go to school. Contact the professors in the program and look for a research assistantship that will simultaneously pay your way and provide high-quality research experience.

3. Check out your local community college.

As I've written about previously, clean-tech companies are now working directly with two-year schools to provide hands-on training and real jobs at their company upon graduation. Check out the Green Career Guide for two and four-year renewable energy programs across the country ranging from an Associate of Applied Science in Wind Energy in Wyoming to a Clean Energy Technician Program in Minnesota.

4. Live at home. Start a business in your parents' garage.

When the job market is as saturated as it is today, it may be time to start your own company. That means living cheaply. Also, you don't need to be an engineer or have a million bucks, but you should probably start making amends with any electrical engineering majors you may have ridiculed at parties while still in college because you'll need them (and it sure helps to be friends with those willing to work on trade or equity basis). Collegemogul.com is a great resource to see what others are doing and connect. Also be sure to check out some of the top business-plan competitions.

5. Be a non-profit catalyst.

Volunteer at a non-profit you would like to work at eventually. Pay your bills with a second “non-career” job that gives you flexibility. Acquire grant-writing and fundraising skills that will lead into a paying position. Working at a non-profit can be a great way to learn about running your own business since you typically must do everything on a shoestring and wear many hats. It also gives you an opportunity to do something important and meaningful for the world as well as for your career. It will give you an opportunity to build your network and learn about the clean-tech space. Also, when the organization is looking to hire – you will already know the hiring manager. Great resources for this are Idealist.org and a newly launched Zoosa.org – by some recent college grads (see tip #4).

6. Follow the money!

The American Reinvestment and Recovery Act is putting people to work via large-scale efficiency improvements in commercial and government buildings and weatherizing residential areas like there is no tomorrow. If you have a background in construction or experience in energy auditing, insulation installation, and window replacement follow the money to a contractor near you. Or, since stimulus funds have been slower to reach some states and are largely being distributed at the state and county levels, contact your local Weatherization Assistance Program office to find a list of certified companies and non-profits that are doing this important work and see if they need a hand.

7. Sling the green stuff.

Currently, more than 850 utilities, or about 25% of utilities nationally, offer green power programs to customers, both residential and consumer. Utilities' green power marketing partners are a popular green-career starting point for college students and recent graduates. While these jobs usually require you go door-to-door (or do telemarketing), they offer a flexible schedule and pay decently. I speak from experience: My stint as an employee of Green Mountain Energy was a great learning experience from an industry perspective as well as from having discussions with thousands of people on an important issue.

8. Get plugged-in.

Make sure you stay up to date with the leading clean-tech blogosphere. And don't underestimate the combined power of attending green events and doing the social media thing (Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook). Better yet, earn the respect of (not to mention a professional relationship with) the people you wish to emulate: take on responsibility as a volunteer conference organizer at one of the hundreds of green conferences.

9. Be the 'green-from-the-inside' agent of change.

If you manage to get a good job with a less-than-green company, seize the opportunity to join the existing effort/lead the charge for creating a corporate sustainability plan. Doing so requires a lot of energy, creative thinking, and thick skin, but the payoff could be huge both from a professional and environmental standpoint.

10. Register for Clean Edge Jobs.

If you are a job-seeker register for Clean Edge Jobs (free) to search current openings from leading clean-tech companies and learn about key industry trends.

If you are an employer looking to hire talented college grads register for Clean Edge Jobs (free), post your jobs, and help the class of 2009 start their career in clean tech.

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Dexter Gauntlett is a senior research and marketing associate at Clean Edge, Inc., and board member at Green Empowerment. Email him at gauntlett@cleanedge.com (Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook).