Today’s employer advice is from Paul Vienneau, Executive Director at Shasta Land Trust.
Q: Tell us about your organization.
Since our founding in 1998, the Shasta Land Trust has protected over 25,000 acres of farmland, open-space, and wildlife habitat. As an accredited Land Trust, SLT has worked with willing landowners, partners, local communities, and donors to achieve meaningful and lasting conservation of local lands. The scenic beauty, rich natural resources, and open spaces of far northern California are essential to the health and vibrancy of our families and local communities. Through conservation a lasting impact for future generations has been created.
Q: What advice would you give to people in midlife who want to transition to a green job?
No time but the present! Get involved as a volunteer first and determine if that is the career transition you truly want to pursue. Green jobs vary across many spectrums. From field work to office work there are so many paths that one can take. If you want a job that is fulfilling I can’t imagine a better career.
Q: What are the skills that you believe will be required most in the short-medium term in your industry?
There are so many skills that are beneficial. In the environmental conservation field, which I am in, I would say that GIS is a very important skill to have. It allows you to interpret data and mapping in a way that many organizations are utilizing in their day-to-day operations. From a leadership perspective, knowledge of the law is extremely helpful when interpreting the contracts which make up a large portion of what environmental organizations face on a daily basis. In the end, the environmental field is large and has room for anyone who has the desire and passion to enact change. You will likely not get rich in this field, but you will go home every day knowing that you made a difference.