Today’s employer advice is from Ann Gisinger, Director of Business Operations at Environmental Business Council of New England.
Q: Tell us about your organization.
The EBC, a nonprofit membership organization, was established in 1990 by environmental and energy company executives who began meeting on a regular basis to exchange ideas and share experiences. Our goal is to enhance business and job growth of both established and emerging environmental and energy businesses.
The EBC is committed to supporting its members by:
- Providing member companies with an array of programs, activities, and information to enable them to stay on the cutting edge of environmental and energy technologies, management and regulatory developments.
- Creating networking opportunities that facilitate meaningful relationships between leaders in the industry, leading to collaboration and teaming.
EBC member companies include businesses specializing in environmental and energy technology, services and products. They range from one-person entrepreneurial ventures to established corporations with thousands of employees. Membership includes companies that manufacture equipment, provide services in the areas of engineering and consulting, solid and hazardous waste management, remedial and emergency response, and analytical testing. Membership also includes institutions in investment, lending, financial, and education, as well as governmental agencies.
Q: What advice would you give to people in midlife who want to transition to a green job?
The skills you have developed through the first part of your career are applicable to a variety of jobs and positions in the environmental and energy sectors. At EBC, many of our member organizations are working on infrastructure projects, redevelopment, and other technical and engineering projects. Technical jobs may be harder to jump in to mid-career but project management, communications and engagement, and business development are all valuable positions within environmental and energy companies that contribute to climate adaptation and climate resiliency work.
Q: What are the skills that you believe will be required most in the short-medium term in your industry?
EBC’s members work across the environmental and energy sectors. Because the membership tends to have a technical/engineering focus, the skills most required in the short-medium term by many of our members are project management and engineering positions. However, across the board companies are looking for professional, driven people with excellent communication skills to join their teams.