This paper presents a structured five-year career development plan targeting a human resources and employee relations role within the U.S. green technology industry, with a focus on wind energy. The plan outlines career goals, including target salary milestones and preferred work location in California, and maps out concrete steps such as completing an MBA in Sustainable Enterprise, completing a renewable energy internship, and networking with industry professionals. The paper also identifies inexperience as the primary career barrier and discusses how career training programs and community involvement can help overcome it.
Today's global economic landscape is changing at a rapid pace as the world turns to business to find solutions to some of its most perplexing problems. One of these challenges is the quest for sustainable energy, and the field offering solutions is that of green technologies.
My goal is to be a part of that solution. My five-year plan is to apply knowledge, skills, and enthusiasm toward a combination of innovative thinking and sound business practices as a human resource manager at a major U.S. green-tech business. Additionally, I have a particular interest in becoming an employee relations specialist in the wind energy industry.
The job satisfaction attributes I will seek include employment in the state of California, a forty-hour workweek, an entry-level salary of $50,000, and a basic benefits package — with a five-year goal of becoming a third-level employee relations specialist earning $75,000 annually.
The career outlook for sustainability jobs looks strong. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that wind energy technologies increased by 39% in the United States over the past five years and are expected to continue growing into the next decade. As technologies improve to meet consumer demand, so will the job market. Human resource specialists will be vital in supporting these growing wind power companies (Hamilton & Liming, 2010).
Step One: Complete my degree. I am less than six months away from completing an MBA in Sustainable Enterprise.
Step Two: I am registered to begin an internship program for the spring semester with a renewable energy company.
Step Three: I have met, and will meet again, with a career counselor who is helping me write a professional resume, compile a list of potential employers in California, and submit applications in preparation for employment upon graduation. The counselor has also helped me begin networking in my desired field.
"MBA completion, GPA, and community service"
"Inexperience as main obstacle and solutions"
"Career center support and professional development"
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