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More than 50 attend informative Green Careers Workshop

Photos and story by Kate Chester

Nearly 50 С��è��ý faculty, staff and students attended the interactive, three-hour Green Careers Workshop held at the Sylvania Campus on April 21.

The event was organized by Rachel McMillen, coordinator of Sylvania’s Career Resource Center, who brought in California-based author Jim Cassio (“Green Careers: Choosing Work for a Sustainable Future”) to lead the how-to session for the first couple of hours. Cassio then moderated a panel discussion with several local industry professionals who addressed green career opportunities in the immediate region.

Panelists included Erin McDermott, human resource analyst, Oregon Department of Energy; Matt Hale, energy technology manager, Oregon Department of Energy; Charlie Johnson, green jobs economist, Oregon Employment Department; Vicki Lind, career counselor and co-author, “Portland Green Guide to Networking and Jobs”; and Becky Walker, program manager, Portland Energy Conservation, Inc.

“For a first time event, I was thrilled with the turnout and interest in the topic,” said McMillen. “Jim was an engaging speaker, and the panelists offered some very informative feedback and ideas for attendees.”

Topics that were addressed included how to identify green jobs, where to find green jobs and in what industries, types of occupations that can lead to green positions, and beneficial resources for green market career explorers and job seekers.

“One of the things that I found very interesting – that really jumped out to me at the workshop – was that in Oregon, we have more than 51,000 green jobs that can be found across all major industries and most occupations,” said McMillen. “The key is for people to first identify their main skills and interests, then to explore green job sectors where they’d like to apply their skills and passions.”

The workshop was made possible by the Sylvania Campus Green Initiative Fund. The fund was created by Jeff Triplett, Sylvania’s Dean of Instruction, and campus division deans and represents one-time dollars to enable single classes, or a consortium of classes, to participate in learning activities as part of bond-funded and E6 construction slated for the Sylvania Campus.

Four other projects are being supported by the Green Initiative Fund over the next year. They include a watershed mural led by the Visual and Performing Arts Division; a multidisciplinary exploration of a storm water living lab from the Science and Engineering division; and a rain water storage and reuse system for the Sylvania Learning Garden.