Career Switching Into ClimateTech, by Heather Shepard

By Heather Shepard

Even thinking about career switching can be overwhelming -- you need to give yourself time to build a new professional contacts, find out about target companies and create time for learning. Here are some action-oriented first steps designed to kick-start your efforts:

• Plug-into your local business accelerators, incubators, business association or other similar organization--there are often free events, business pitches, especially around cleantech. You can expand your network and possibly find a fit to offer some of your skills to the business association. Events are available online more than ever. Connect with speakers and active participants in the event. 

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• If you’re interested in something assume others are too. Consider pulling together a workshop on a topic you’re interested in, problem you’d like to solve. Find an organization(s) who would be interested in partnering, hosting the event and spreading the word through their network if you offer to do the heavy lifting of organizing. 

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• Are you involved in a church, school, other organization or non-profit? Ask them if they have a sustainability committee? Are they interested in finding out about community solar? How much do they spend on energy bills? How they explored ways to reduce it? Do they want to figure out how to install EV chargers? Maybe there is a topic they need help researching, putting together some educational materials on, or holding an educational session about?

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• Does your city, community have a climate action plan? Steps or goals around sustainability? Get a copy, read it. Is there some area of interest? Most public officials are happy to talk to their constituents and can share what some of the opportunities and challenges are. If you live in CA, many communities are involved in community choice energy programs and Board meetings and materials are usually public.

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• Take advantage of “free” or low-cost educational resources. Do you have time to take a class, listen in to a webinar, check out community college courses, certificate programs, local adult education, or even free offerings through Coursera or on-line learning platforms?

​Be patient. It takes time but each step you take will open new doors and new learnings.

About the author:
Heather Shepard is the Director of Public Affairs at MCE, California’s First Community Choice Aggregation Program. 
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She has 25 years of experience in strategy, operations, and clean energy.