Earth Day is a wonderful opportunity to connect with the green movement in your area. Use the strategies in this article to jumpstart your green career exploration.
Find Local Green Events
Earth Day itself is Sunday, April 22nd. Events may be scheduled throughout the weeks surrounding Earth Day.
Are you hearing about any Earth Day events? Watch your local newspapers, listen to your local radio station, read announcements from local email lists.
If you haven't heard of any events, start asking around. Call your local Sierra Club chapter, local college, or an environmental non-profit in town. They are bound to know what's happening on Earth Day.
You might discover Earth Day fairs or festivals at schools, environmental speakers sponsored by a local community group, or a demonstration event put on by a non-profit organization. Some organizations may sponsor a green movie night.
Even if the specific focus of the event isn't a direct hit for your interests, attend the event anyway. If there are several events scheduled in your area, do your best to include a couple of them into your schedule.
What to Do While You Are at the Event
Your goal at the event is to discover opportunities and make contact with the green network in your region.
You aren't likely to walk away from this kind of event with a job or a job opening so let that expectation go. Instead focus on these actions to make the most of your Earth Day events.
1. Scan the event for topics, organizations, and individuals that interest you. As you walk through the event, pay attention to the topics and opportunities that engage you and interest you.
2. Collect business cards and brochures so you can contact organizations and individuals at a later date.
3. Look for opportunities to volunteer. Ask people what opportunities are available through their organizations. Just listen. Don't expect everything to be of interest. If something doesn't strike a chord with you, move on to the next area. Pay most attention to when you feel excited or intrigued.
4. Keep your eye out for future events that are being advertised. One event will lead you to the next.
5. Put your name on email lists for upcoming events and announcements. Use a personal email account for announcements only, that way you can cut off emails if you no longer want to receive them.
6. Talk with people about what they do and what their company does. Even if you don't think there's a connection, have the conversation anyway. You'll learn more about companies and organizations in your area and you'll gain more confidence for informational conversations.
7. Follow up with the organizations and individuals you found most interesting. Even if they aren't a direct match to your target career, reach out to broaden your network. Schedule a time to talk by phone or in person. Be curious. Ask more about their role - paid or volunteer. Let them know about your interests.
8. Ask your new contacts if they know anyone else you might talk with. This strategy can pay off in amazing ways because there is no way to predict who someone else knows! This is precisely why there's a benefit to talking with people even if you don't see an immediate connection.
Remember your goal at Earth Day events is to scan for possibilities. Don't get frustrated if you only find one or two viable leads or opportunities. Even one or two connections can snowball to create a much larger network.
Work each connection you uncover! You'll see results grow over time.
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