Green jobs may bloom for grads

Green jobs may bloom for grads
These days, jobs are dropping faster than trees in a rain forest. But one

industry will rise like a rose through cement cracks: green jobs.President Obama recently said he would like to have a "clean energy

future," and San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom has also said he would like

to create more opportunities in the green job business.In simple terms, a green job is any occupation that will help the

environment. They include environmental consultants, solar energy and wind

energy engineers, nuclear engineers, as well as environmental lawyers,

ecology educators and much more."We are on the verge of a clean energy revolution that has potential to

create millions of new jobs, revive our economy, and finally free us from

our dependence on foreign oil," Newsom said in a statement.Janelle Metz, a counselor at SF State's Career Center, said that almost any

position falls into the green job area. There could be certain jobs needed

to make new products and there will always be business, marketing and

administrative people to keep things moving, according to Metz."As long as it is shown to be business-smart... (and) at this point there

are many companies moving forward with green jobs in mind," Metz wrote in

an e-mail, of the possibility of creating more green jobs.Obama expressed his desire to create five million new jobs by investing

$150 billion in alternative and renewable energy."[The plan is] a good long-term investment in the future," said David Chan,

a business student. "The economy will do well if it goes green."As of February, California's unemployment rate went up to 10.1 percent, an

increase of 4 percent since the beginning of last year, according to the

State Employment Development Department. There is a good chance the rate

will go up as more students graduate and enter the job market."Anything that is involved in creating things, from design to industrial,

will definitely help the economy," said Kevin Molina, an engineering

student.Tim O'Connor, a climate policy analyst, says students don't need to have a

degree in environmental studies in order to obtain a green job and that

"opportunities exist.""Green jobs give opportunities for all different skills," said O'Connor,

who co-authored the"Green Jobs Guidebook," which provides a resource for people interested in

the green jobs marketplace in California.Metz also mentioned that the Career Center will be able to help students

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