Over the past several years, much more of corporate America has signed on to the green revolution, finally recognizing the urgency to achieve greater energy efficiency and be better caretakers of the environment. But it’s not easy being green, and companies need to create new job specialties and hire new skill sets to turn their ‘green’ marketing claims into reality.

Students entering or returning to the nation’s colleges and universities this month would be well advised to consider educational paths that lead to careers in the burgeoning fields related to the environment, ecology and alternative energy.

These areas are expected to fuel significant economic growth and job creation over the next decade, rivaling that of the late 1990s dot.com boom and the housing boom of the early 2000s, according to workplace authorities at Challenger, Gray & Christmas, the global outplacement and executive coaching consultancy.

As $4.00-per-gallon gasoline and growing concern over global warming spark calls for short-term and long-term solutions, more and more companies are going ‘green,’ not only with their products but also with operations. The movement is creating increased demand for workers in so-called green-collar jobs, such as engineers, architects, project managers, and consultants. As this trend continues, more workers will be needed to implement designs and build projects, potentially creating thousands of jobs.

A recent forecast issued by the American Solar Energy Society reported that renewable energy and energy-efficient industries were responsible for the creation of nearly 8.5 million jobs in 2006, a figure which includes about 4.8 million indirect jobs such as accountants, computer analysts and truck drivers. By 2030, the number of direct and indirect jobs related to renewable energy and energy efficiency is expected to reach 40 million.

With an expected growth rate of about 1.3 million new jobs per year through 2030, green-collar jobs could present the best career opportunities for a generation of college graduates. The demand for workers is already evident.

The ‘Green Dream Jobs’ website (SustainableBusiness.com) lists over 300 opportunities, including digital designer, communications director, field energy consultant, project engineer, program information analyst, and director of business development.

Green Goes With Practically Everything

The push toward increased environmental responsibility is creating new green-collar jobs in a number of industries and companies where these positions previously did not exist," says John A. Challenger, CEO of Challenger, Gray and Christmas, Inc. "For example, more and more building design firms are seeking architects and engineers with LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) accreditation as their clients seek environmentally friendly offices. Other companies, such as Wal-Mart, are hiring people to achieve their goals of decreasing their impact on the environment."

In 2005, Wal-Mart began an environmental sustainability initiative, with the eventual goals of being supplied 100 percent by renewable energy; creating zero waste; and selling products that sustain natural resources and the environment. This initiative has created many new positions at the retailer’s corporate headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas. Among the sustainability positions currently posted on the Wal-Mart career site are senior director of safety and environmental compliance, senior energy manager, director of sustainability, and senior director of sustainability sourcing.

"Then, of course, there are the growing number of jobs that will be created by companies researching and developing alternative sources of energy,’ Challenger adds. "These firms, which once found it difficult to secure funding, are now the darlings of venture capitalists. These companies will need workers to construct solar-powered buildings, cars, wind turbines and alternative fuels."

Training Programs Sprouting Everywhere

The biggest obstacle to explosive growth of green-collar jobs could be the lack of skilled workers. However, as demand increases for workers in these fields, colleges and universities are instituting specialized degree programs to supply the future green-collar workforce.

Many Northern California schools offer environmental-related degree programs, including: Humboldt State in Arcata, UC Berkeley, CSU Chico, DeAnza College in Cupertino, UC Davis, College of the Redwoods in Eureka, Fresno Pacific University, CSU Hayward, Contra Costa Community College in Martinez, Modesto Junior College, Monterey Institute of International Studies, Monterey Peninsula College, Merritt College in Oakland, Butte College in Oroville, Feather River Community College in Quincy, Shasta College in Redding, Sierra College in Rocklin, CSU Sacramento, American River College in Sacramento, USF, SF State University, San Jose State, Silicon Valley College in San Jose, Santa Clara University, UC Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa Junior College, Columbia College in Sonora, Stanford University, University of the Pacific in Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton, Mendocino College in Ukiah, and College of the Siskiyous in Weed.

Online environmental programs are available from Norwich University, Penn Foster Career School, Warren National University and the Professional Career Development Institute.

Dominican University of California in San Rafael offers graduate students the option to receive a Master’s of Business Administration in Sustainable Enterprise. This green MBA program integrates sustainability principles into course offerings such as: Critical Thinking for Leadership in Business Redesign, EcoCommerce Models, Managerial and Environmental Accounting, Social Impacts of Enterprises, Green and Social Marketing, Thriving Regenerative Enterprise and Ecological Economics.

Antioch University New England, Bainbridge Graduate Institute and New College are offering similar programs. Vermont Law School has begun offering a JD and a master’s of Studies in Environmental Law.

"The degrees offer jobseekers additional market value," states Challenger." "Not only do they possess the knowledge of traditional MBA holders, they hold fresh ideas, enabling the business world to increase their environmental responsibility."

ASES.org – The American Solar Energy Society has green-collar career information, job listings, and links to other green-economy job boards. (303) 443-3130

ECOjobs.com – The Environmental Career Opportunities website lists green jobs by state and provides information on internships and degree programs. 800-315-9777

EnvironmentalCareer.com – In addition to job listings, provides an interesting digest of news items and articles. 800-745-0639

GreenBiz.com – Comprehensive website includes news, blogs, video, TV and radio programs, and a calendar of events about all things green. A good place to start exploring your options.

GreenJobs.com – Website devoted to the renewable energy industries, with links to businesses worldwide categorized by their specialty: solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal, bioenergy, hydrogen & fuel cell.