Seeking career transition advice with a climate focus
November 12, 2022 7:17 PM Subscribe
Does anyone have advice for an entry-level, remote jobseeker with a bachelor's degree hoping to do something to help with climate solutions or environmental protection?
I've been a veterinary technician and practice manager at a clinic for ten years. I enjoy helping animals and the variety of each day, but the work is physically and emotionally draining and working throughout the pandemic has been particularly thankless. I have a frugal lifestyle, but I still don't make enough money to match the rising rent and cost-of-living in my area, and I've never received medical or retirement benefits from my job. I'm officially in need of a change. I have a bachelor's in biological sciences and decided a long time ago not to pursue vet school because of the loan burden and my ambivalent feelings about staying in this field long-term.
Ideally, I'd like to work remotely and do something to help with climate solutions or the environment. I've looked around on 80,000 hours, Climatebase, and other sites previously recommended on AskMeFi, but I feel like I still don't understand the landscape of all the climate start-ups and non-profits or what to look for at an entry-level that has opportunity for growth. I don't have strong feelings about what the actual tasks for the job are (although my skill set is definitely more research-oriented than sales-oriented) as long as the mission and tactics of likely employers are beneficial to society and the job itself will support a single person above a subsistence level.
Does the sort of job I'm describing require grad school? If so, can anyone recommend a specific program that provides a good return on investment (that's not law school or business school)? I do like the idea of science journalism, but I don't want to find myself in an even more precarious financial position. I'm also willing to learn to code, but I don't know what language(s) would be useful and that job market seems saturated as well.
I realize this is vague, but I feel like I don't know what I don't know, and I'd appreciate any advice about promising avenues to explore.
I've been a veterinary technician and practice manager at a clinic for ten years. I enjoy helping animals and the variety of each day, but the work is physically and emotionally draining and working throughout the pandemic has been particularly thankless. I have a frugal lifestyle, but I still don't make enough money to match the rising rent and cost-of-living in my area, and I've never received medical or retirement benefits from my job. I'm officially in need of a change. I have a bachelor's in biological sciences and decided a long time ago not to pursue vet school because of the loan burden and my ambivalent feelings about staying in this field long-term.
Ideally, I'd like to work remotely and do something to help with climate solutions or the environment. I've looked around on 80,000 hours, Climatebase, and other sites previously recommended on AskMeFi, but I feel like I still don't understand the landscape of all the climate start-ups and non-profits or what to look for at an entry-level that has opportunity for growth. I don't have strong feelings about what the actual tasks for the job are (although my skill set is definitely more research-oriented than sales-oriented) as long as the mission and tactics of likely employers are beneficial to society and the job itself will support a single person above a subsistence level.
Does the sort of job I'm describing require grad school? If so, can anyone recommend a specific program that provides a good return on investment (that's not law school or business school)? I do like the idea of science journalism, but I don't want to find myself in an even more precarious financial position. I'm also willing to learn to code, but I don't know what language(s) would be useful and that job market seems saturated as well.
I realize this is vague, but I feel like I don't know what I don't know, and I'd appreciate any advice about promising avenues to explore.
I recommend joining the Slack group Work on Climate (although as more and more people have joined, it's gotten a little harder to navigate/connect with people). It's meant for people transitioning from other fields.
posted by pinochiette at 8:28 PM on November 12, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by pinochiette at 8:28 PM on November 12, 2022 [1 favorite]
If you are in California the degree you already have would qualify your for an environment scientist job with the state. What you’d do in that position can vary, but there are climate and environmental positions. Many of these positions would be remote as well.
posted by lepus at 9:16 PM on November 12, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by lepus at 9:16 PM on November 12, 2022 [1 favorite]
Every nonprofit needs the administrative and management skills you have. You could be a COO or operations manager for a climate-focused NPO, depending on the size of the org. This could give you your in, and then you could get a better understanding of the landscape and make a lateral move if you wanted. Though, again, your skills are very needed!
posted by lunasol at 10:59 PM on November 12, 2022
posted by lunasol at 10:59 PM on November 12, 2022
Think about consulting firms. ERM, for example, is huge in the USA, even for people with only a BA/BS. Plenty more enviro consulting firms like it. That said, I'm the loud one who advocates for non-profit minded people to shove themselves into the corporate world and change the culture even by their mere presence (also, you then have more $$ to donate).
posted by atomicstone at 2:10 AM on November 13, 2022
posted by atomicstone at 2:10 AM on November 13, 2022
Consider trying to find a position with your local Rider's Alliance/Transit Rider's Union/[Local Name Here]. Aggressively improving and expanding public transit and reducing private vehicle use is going to be an important part of any climate solution. These kinds of orgs tend to be very local focused but can have a large impact surprisingly soon.
posted by threementholsandafuneral at 7:16 AM on November 13, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by threementholsandafuneral at 7:16 AM on November 13, 2022 [1 favorite]
If you are in California the degree you already have would qualify your for an environment scientist job with the state. What you’d do in that position can vary, but there are climate and environmental positions. Many of these positions would be remote as well.
The states I work in have also been doing big hiring pushes in environmental-related positions and based on many of the new staff I am meeting, they are actively hiring "non-traditional" candidates (i.e., candidates who clearly meet the minimum qualifications, but have a more varied life history -- I think this is great and prefer working with them). So at least around here, having a few twists and turns on your career path is not a barrier if you meet the required qualifications.
With state jobs in particular, it is kind of a chore to navigate the process and get hired -- much easier than the federal process but way more rigid than private sector jobs. But a benefit of getting through and getting hired is there seems to be relatively easy mobility between positions and between agencies, so even if the first job you get isn't really perfect, there is a pathway to stepping sideways into a better fit once you are through the probationary period. And, the stability, work-life balance, and benefits are all great. Pay is solid but not high. Remote work seems to be hit and miss, dependent on each agency director's priorities and policies.
posted by Dip Flash at 7:16 AM on November 13, 2022 [2 favorites]
The states I work in have also been doing big hiring pushes in environmental-related positions and based on many of the new staff I am meeting, they are actively hiring "non-traditional" candidates (i.e., candidates who clearly meet the minimum qualifications, but have a more varied life history -- I think this is great and prefer working with them). So at least around here, having a few twists and turns on your career path is not a barrier if you meet the required qualifications.
With state jobs in particular, it is kind of a chore to navigate the process and get hired -- much easier than the federal process but way more rigid than private sector jobs. But a benefit of getting through and getting hired is there seems to be relatively easy mobility between positions and between agencies, so even if the first job you get isn't really perfect, there is a pathway to stepping sideways into a better fit once you are through the probationary period. And, the stability, work-life balance, and benefits are all great. Pay is solid but not high. Remote work seems to be hit and miss, dependent on each agency director's priorities and policies.
posted by Dip Flash at 7:16 AM on November 13, 2022 [2 favorites]
you should check out terra.do, which helps get people rapidly up to speed on whats happening with climate and builds vocabulary to help with career transitions. also My Climate Journey podcast and Slack community (sorry no links i'm on the go)
posted by wowenthusiast at 12:15 PM on November 13, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by wowenthusiast at 12:15 PM on November 13, 2022 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by donut_princess at 7:53 PM on November 12, 2022 [3 favorites]