What are the new “green professions”?

The Laboratory of Counseling Sciences and Professional Career of the Faculty of Philosophy of the EKPA prepared a new professional orientation guide with the aim of helping students to “navigate” in the new professional reality as it has gone conforming.

The director of the Laboratory, Katerina Argyropoulou, tells the APE that “green professions” are the new trend, but even the most traditional professions can become “greener”.

What are these new professions whose demand has already begun to increase? These are a “range of professions that have emerged due to climate change, such as environmental engineers, geologists, hydrologists or atmospheric specialists, designers of ‘smart’ homes or even ‘smart’ cities, hydroponic/organic farmers, textile and paint specialists “. technicians installing antifouling systems, operators of materials recycling facilities/maintenance of photovoltaic and solar systems”, highlights Ms. Argyropoulou.

In addition, he adds that there are also “new paths” from older professions, “such as lawyers on ecological protection issues, artists with non-toxic materials, climate protection ambassadors, scientists specializing in Artificial Intelligence, experts in environmental development, sustainable entrepreneurship ” . consultants, creating professions that move away from overconsumption contributing to a healthier planet.”

This does not necessarily mean that other more “classic” professions will disappear, as long as they adapt to the new reality that has been taking shape. “The sustainability of these professions has to do with the choices we make and this also concerns our professional lives. Ecological well-being tends to become a common pursuit as we see, e.g. companies representing fast fashion that have come under fire for their tactics to demonstrate their concern for the environment by creating clothing from recycled materials.

Undoubtedly, there are ways for each professional to act in a more respectful way with the environment, either by recycling the materials they use or by choosing materials that are less burdensome for the environment”, underlines Ms. Argyropoulou when referring to redistribution both economic and natural resources. wealth, as will result from the new professional options, as well as a new prioritization of needs. “Think about the issue of energy or the issue of excessive consumption.

If the way we live changes, our priorities will definitely change, which will affect all professions and the economy in general. Over the years of course, and after establishing a healthier and more environmentally friendly mindset, e.g. if we get to the point where we stop running on gasoline, some professions are likely to fade into obscurity, as any major socioeconomic change does.”

EKPA’s Professional and Scientific Guidance Laboratory, taking into account the environmental effects on people’s professional trajectories, developed a guidance intervention entitled: “Carrera en… verde”, with the aim of cultivating ecological awareness for careers.

“The intervention uses the 4 main pillars of career guidance (self-awareness, career information, decision-making, transition) and connects them with environmental aspects. The intervention is implemented in the context of group professional information or through the provision of individual professional guidance services.

In other words, the targeted intervention helps beneficiaries to understand what is happening in the environment, what this means for their own careers and the careers of others, and to think about how they might react and make use of this phenomenon in relation to a “green future”, emphasizes the director of the Laboratory of Counseling and Professional Career Sciences of the Faculty of Philosophy of the EKPA.

The good news is that in Greece there are already educational institutions that grant degrees in the fields mentioned above. “Right now, in the computerized report of the second camp, there are two Environmental Engineering departments in Thessaloniki and Xanthi, as well as Environment Departments in Larissa, Mytilini and Zakynthos, which can be accessed from both the 2nd and from the 3rd and 4th scientific field.

In fact, these are very low-based departments, which is partly explained by the fact that they are outside of Athens, but mainly because, unfortunately, still in Greece we have not fully realized the importance of these professions for our future. In fact, a recent survey shows that only 1% of national professionals work in this field, the lowest percentage in Europe.

Of course, there are other departments related to anti-pollution technologies and environmental protection, such as the departments of Geology and Geoenvironment, Oceanography and Marine Life Sciences, Mineral Resources Engineering, Agriculture, Materials Science, Engineering Physics and Chemistry, with the corresponding specializations. However, a mathematician, chemist, civil engineer, architect or computer scientist can, with the appropriate master’s degree, enter this very interesting and vitally important career field that relates to the well-being of the global community,” says Ms. Argyropoulou…

In conclusion, it stands out that young people, regardless of the professional path they choose, need to redefine their values ​​with environmental sensitivity, aiming at quality of life, developing “green” and “ecological” skills (environmental awareness, promotion of sustainable development, green technology). who cultivate a new “green” role, learn about modern professions and try to find their sustainability aspects, seek information on climate change and act sensitively to challenges.