THE GREEN REVOLUTION [Source of story linked below] In the 1990s, corporate America's embrace of the green movement was led mostly by free-spirited, maverick companies such as Ben & Jerry's, Starbucks and Whole Foods. Now, mainstream giants in markets spanning consumer products, banking, airlines and chemicals have sweeping programs to shrink their companies' impact on the environment — and cash in on consumers' desire to go green. Many see doing so as a virtual necessity as regulators consider limits on greenhouse gas emissions and consumers demand environmentally friendly products. U.S. companies also realize they must follow Europe's lead on environmental issues to compete in a global marketplace, says Jack Geibig, director of the Center for Clean Products at the University of Tennessee. "I think we're beyond the fad point," he says. "People are buying hybrid vehicles, they're concerned about global warming, they're more engaged than ever." source: http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/2007-04-18-getting-gold-green_n.htm Prepare for a green career while in school By Jennifer Coleman Environmental Defense There is no better time than the present to start preparing for your success and sometimes, the best way to learn is to get out of the classroom and into the field. Here are some ideas for extra-curricular activities from green corporation experts at the national nonprofit Environmental Defense. Environmental Defense works with businesses like FedEx, DuPont, Wal-Mart and McDonalds to help them find ways to create significant environmental benefits while making good business sense and transform their industries through green technology. Sometimes that means simple, smart changes based on existing technology - and sometimes it means spurring new technology that can revolutionize the way companies do business. Reach out "Independent studies with professors can be a great experience," says Kyle Cahill, Project Manager with the Corporate Partnerships program at Environmental Defense. "At most universities, professors have a dual job - to teach, and also to conduct their own research. You can find professors doing interesting environmental work in disciplines as varied as marketing, engineering, and science. Opportunities to assist a professor in research and writing as they explore new ideas, is a valuable opportunity." Cheryl Pickard, the HR specialist at Environmental Defense, says that many Environmental Defense staff members give guest lectures or teach occasional courses at universities. Attending these lectures, and asking your professors to introduce you to nonprofit colleagues, can also be a great learning experience. Cheryl also recommends attending job fairs in order to learn more about the field. Human resources staff may be busy and distracted while in the office, but when they are at a job fair, they are offering their undivided attention to students and job seekers. Explore the working world For the business, communications or other non-environmental major, Kyle Cahill advises internships or summer jobs at nonprofit environmental groups. "It helps if students can get out there and see what major nonprofit organizations are actually doing," says Kyle. "The work is very different than ten years ago -- it is more analytical, more creative - and there are many opportunities for people from many backgrounds." For the environmental policy or sciences major interested in green jobs at businesses, Kyle recommends looking for business experience. "Anything you can do to understand and speak the language of a business person is helpful," says Kyle. "They speak a certain way, receive information a certain way, run meetings in a particular way. The more you can become familiar and understand that, the better." Volunteer "If someone is a volunteer - and it doesn't have to be environmental work - it tells me that they are the kind of person I want to work with," says Pam Vivian, Associate Director of Administration at Environmental Defense. "Volunteering shows a type of work ethic, dedication and personality that makes a good colleague. If someone volunteers at an Alzheimer care center, for example - here's someone with both empathy and strength." http://www.volunteermatch.org http://www.idealist.org/volunteer Get active in the community Both Cheryl and Kyle recommend looking locally for opportunities to learn about real-life green issues. Look for community meetings where environmental issues are on the table. Green decision makers often host community meetings to hear opinions on proposed regulations; those meetings are open to the public. To find out about meetings in your area hosted by your region's Environmental Protection Agency, find their office here: http://www.epa.gov/epahome/whereyoulive.htm#regiontext It can also be valuable to get involved in campus community programs. "Universities are at the forefront of activism," says Kyle. "Campus groups are among the most active on green issues." Check out the Campus Climate Challenge: http://climatechallenge.org/ source