Want Job, Think Green? Ivies to Host Environmental & Sustainable Development Career Fair

The Ivies are once again teaming up to host an exclusive-to-the-Ivy Leagues career fair aimed at green jobs. Last year, the Ivy Environmental and Sustainable Development Career Fair attracted overwhelming numbers of students. So much so that over 1,000 had pre-registered before the event and Vault.com was there to cover who was saying what, who was being recruited, what were some of the questions being asked and how many of the over 75 companies present were really recruiting.

This year the fair is being held a few weeks earlier. Going from the 2009 experience, my advise is to get there early and come stocked with not only copies of your resume but also be prepared to answer questions on why the environmental field is for you, how your college work reflects your interest, whether a nonprofit is the right fit for you and even blunt ones about whether your interest is sparked by last year's stimulus money and President Obama's focus on increasing growth in green technology and renewables.

Here are the main facts:

Where: Lower Library, Columbia University

When: Friday, February 26, 2010

What industries will be represented:Environmental science, civil, biological, environmental, mechanical, chemical, and agricultural engineering; Ecology, ecosystems, and biodiversity; Forest science and management; Industrial environmental management; Environmental policy, economics, and law; Urban ecology; City, regional and environmental planning and design; Watershed science, policy, and management; Community development; Natural resources; Biological sciences; International development; Plant and agricultural sciences; Earth and atmospheric sciences.

Who's coming: A mix of private sector employers, nonprofits, universities and government agencies. Some examples include the MTA, the EPA, NatureJobs, Power Concepts, Corporate Accountability International, Environmental Defense Fund, CleanEdison, Duke University, Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions, Pace Law School, and many more.

Of course, while access to the career fair is limited to Ivy League students and alumni, the individual discussions, recruiter representation and the student turnout will tell many stories of the perception of green jobs, the compensation, whether all the talk about "a green economy is the answer to a vigorous economy" is trickling to the graduating masses and the big question of job growth. Which one of these companies is aggressively hiring? How do they foresee the green workplace evolving? If you are contemplating a career change or have been laid off and looking to enter the green field, stay tuned for trendsetting news from the fair. Is "Want a job? Think Green!" continuing to stay relevant?