Greening Your Career

The other night I stumbled on Ken Burn’s PBS six part series on our National Parks: America’s Greatest Idea (See http://www.pbs.org/nationalparks/about/). Having rafted down the Grand Canyon Colorado river after a hike down Angel’s steep trail, and having witnessed the magical fairy like quiet when the Sunday night rain turned into fluffy snow flakes inside the floor of Yosemite Valley after crowds disappeared, I had no idea how precarious or impossible these amazing encounters with nature might have been had it not been for the foresight of John Muir and Theodore Roosevelt. The agonizing struggle of the Hetch Hetchy Dam in 1913, a debate that still continues today. The “utilitarian” view of Gifford Pinchot of the “greatest good for the greatest number” versus Muir’s spiritual preservationist desire to save earth’s sacred canyon valleys. Such are the complexities and amazing opportunities of balancing “open spaces” with population and economic demands. I was inspired and hope that this career series can help you find your pathway in this critical time of global warming and climate change. As Margaret Mead once said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

Tonight begins Environmental Studies’ one unit, P/NP only career class ES 190 every Wednesday from 5 to 6:15 p.m. in CHEM 1179. Open to all majors and class levels wanting to explore Environmental Careers in the 21st Century. UCSB Extension’s Science & Engineering programs now offer a Green Building Series featuring Lindsey Taggart, LEED AP Certified  and building energy specialist at Community Environmental Council and chair of SB Regional Council for the US Green Building Council’s Central Coast Chapter this fall on Tuesday evenings and several Saturdays. See www.extension.ucsb.edu

Some of you may have missed last Wednesday’s “Green Convergence” in the Arbor Mall. This fair represented a wide array of opportunities to get involved. Here are just a few to help get you started on your career journey:

• The Campus Sustainability Project offers a wide range of volunteer and internship options for all majors!
  http://sustainability.ucsb.edu/academics/students-jobs.php
• Engineering Without Borders serves rural, low-income communities world-wide with environmentally and economic engineering projects to meet basic needs.
  http://www.engr.ucsb.edu/~ewb-ucsb/EWB_UCSB/Welcome.html
• Green2 Gold Initiatives/Internships supports green entrepreneurships and small business.
  http://www.green2gold.org/
• KIDS IN NATURE is also another wonderful opportunity. Students can get involved with any number of student groups from SURF to CALPIRG or Arts from Scraps. See KIDS IN NATURE and more UCSB Environmental Studies campus and community organizations at:
  http://ccber.lifesci.ucsb.edu/education/internship/
  http://www.es.ucsb.edu/student_info/student_orgs.php
• The Summer Environmental Media Program bridges film and marine science disciplines for an innovative training and hands-on program.
  http://www.summer.ucsb.edu/catalog/cat9.html#bluehorizons
• The TY Warner Sea Center also takes on Sea Crew Volunteers at our downtown Santa Barbara Wharf. Many options exist regardless of major, interests or career goals.
  http://www.sbnature.org/seacenter/seacrewvolunteers.php
• UCSB Marine Science REEF Program at:
  http://www.msi.ucsb.edu/education/reef

Deb Artz is the internship coordinator at UCSB Career Services. She will be posting bimonthly with ways to expand your career options. Visit http://career.ucsb.edu for more helpful tips on how to not end up homeless.