How can you inspire students to pursue green technology careers?

The most important thing in my opinion would be to engage students in green technology projects (preferably small-scale field projects) from the grass-root level. Which will increase the awareness of the need for such professionals in our society. Projects related to non-conventional energy, biofuels, or green building (and many more) may help to grow the sustainable mentality among students.

Show them the Environmental Impact and Financial Impact. It is important to foster a culture of entrepreneurship in the green technology industry. In other words, there needs to be a balance between inspiration-driven motivation as well as financial incentives. The green technology industry is growing fast and has an enormous potential to be highly lucrative. Realizing financial gains not only attracts more investors but also fuels the expansion of research and development, enabling the scaling up of green technology. With the right vision and necessary resources, we can change the world!

As a father of two teenage girls this is something I struggle with. We tell them the impacts and provide case studies and suggest they get into environmental engineering to pursue a green technology career or to help the planet out with water and waste management issues (my specialty). Unfortunately, they don't want to listen to me. However, I have guest lectured several times for an Intro to Environmental Engineering course at CU Boulder and the students love the analogies and are keen to see how some of my projects helped solve client problems in a cost-efficient way to make the world a better place. Education is key with right audience in right place and mindset. Good visual analogies are key to making your point!

For students the career prospective aspects in green jobs is very high . In upcoming year the demand of sustainability person is very in all field sustainable Manafacturing , sustainable finanace , sustainable pacakaging ,waste management many more . Consumer are focusing on green product so big demand coming in green material supply chain green marketing green stores . Students can earn the technical expertise in these field and easily start their career in green fields . Example - renewable energy , production , logistics , packaging, education , supply chain , green it infra

Lead by example and continue to educate children on the problem from a very young age. Show them how they can help and teach them about the career and educational tracks that have the most impact on the problem. Engage them in STEAM and support them in pursuing their interests and passions. Foster an environment of creativity and innovation. Teach them how to think critically and problem solve. The more minds we can put on this problem, the better!

Hands-on engagement serves as a catalyst for nurturing budding environmental engineers. Providing opportunities to construct solar ovens, craft water filtration systems, or brainstorm innovative solutions to environmental challenges cultivates not just skills but a mindset of problem-solving. These activities not only bolster creativity but also instill confidence in their ability to contribute to green technology, igniting their passion for environmental engineering.

O envolvimento dos alunos em atividades práticas da carreira ambiental é maravilhoso. Este ano a Geoma Consultoria Ambiental realizou um Diagnóstico Socioambiental Participativo e envolveu os alunos do ensino médio de um pequeno distrito na regi?o do Vale do A?o, e estes foram desafiados a nos apresentar suas ideias de melhoria socioambiental de sua comunidade. A participa??o daqueles alunos foi simplesmente inspiradora, pois mostra o quanto eles desejam a melhoria de seu "Oikos" (casa). Como os alunos s?o pessoas com ideias em plena forma??o, eles s?o capazes de trazer um novo olhar ao que é corriqueiro e assim, mais do que inspirá-los é possível aprender com suas ideias e seus ideais.

There's nothing more inspiring than diving hands-on into something. In our company, teaming up with local education institutions turns out to be a win-win. We often have students working on their theses and gaining practical experience with us. They dig into real projects, collecting valuable insights and finding inspiration to delve deeper. As a company, we also reap the rewards of fresh perspectives from future colleagues and the infectious enthusiasm that students bring to the table. It's a synergy of learning and growth for everyone involved.

To inspire students to pursue green technology careers, engaging them in hands-on activities is crucial. Best practices include organizing workshops, hackathons, and competitions that allow students to explore and experiment with green technologies. Providing access to cutting-edge tools and resources, such as renewable energy kits or sustainable design software, can enhance their practical skills. Collaborating with industry experts and professionals to mentor and guide students in these activities can also foster their interest and passion for green technology careers.

In my role at Coal India Ltd., I have seen firsthand the power of practical, hands-on experience. Organizing workshops or field trips where students can witness green technology in action, like visiting solar farms or eco-friendly waste management plants, provides them with tangible insights into the real-world applications of their studies. This hands-on approach not only deepens their understanding but also stirs a sense of wonder and curiosity, key drivers in pursuing a career in this field.

Guidance from mentors and exposure to role models play a pivotal role in shaping career aspirations. Facilitating interactions with seasoned environmental engineers, be it through mentorship programs, career expos, or insightful online platforms, provides invaluable guidance and inspiration. Showcasing diverse and inspiring narratives in the field through mediums like podcasts or documentaries nurtures aspirations, fostering a sense of belonging and possibility within environmental engineering.

To inspire students to pursue green technology careers, it is important to connect them with mentors and role models. Best practices include facilitating mentorship programs that pair students with professionals in the field who can provide guidance, advice, and insights. Showcasing successful individuals in green technology careers as role models through presentations, panel discussions, or career fairs can also inspire students. Providing networking opportunities, internships, or job shadowing experiences can further expose students to the possibilities and pathways in the field, motivating them to pursue green technology careers.

Estava conversando com um grupo de amigos sobre a forma como os jovens escolhem suas carreiras e comentamos sobre a falta de aconselhamento profissional e mentorias para alunos fora do ensino profissional. Programas como o Jovem Aprendiz s?o fomentados para alunos de cursos técnicos e profissionalizantes. Com isso, creio que assim como quaisquer outras carreiras, é necessário que haja incentivo ao contato com profissionais e aos programas que divulguem variadas profiss?es. Claro, nós profissionais da tecnologia verde podemos come?ar nos comunicando com nossos filhos, com as suas escolas e assim iniciarmos um trabalho de instigar à curiosidade dos jovens que poder?o experimentar mais de perto o cotidiano dos profissionais da área verde.

Empowering students to pursue academic and professional pathways in environmental engineering amplifies their career aspirations. Guiding them through the array of educational opportunities, from degrees to internships, equips them with knowledge about admission processes and financial aid avenues. Offering support, whether through tutoring or aiding in application processes, reinforces their commitment, helping them realize their potential in the field.

To inspire students to pursue green technology careers, it is important to encourage them to pursue further education and training. Best practices include promoting the benefits of higher education in fields related to green technology, such as environmental science or sustainable engineering. Providing information on scholarships, grants, and educational programs in these areas can motivate students to pursue advanced degrees or specialized training. Highlighting the demand for skilled professionals in the green technology sector and the potential for career growth can further inspire students to invest in their education and acquire the necessary skills and knowledge.

Whatever your aims are, future education and training are always something to aim for. With regards to green technology, do not forget the soft skill parts of it. Change management, communications, training and negotiation skills are also necessary for your life in green technology. Change management because green technology usually competes with existing technology, people need to understand the necessity and the urgency of changes, this is where communication is also key. They need training to implement the changes, to understand the differences and technological necessities. Also green technology has to be negotiated with various interested parties to make it sustainable in all three dimensions: Ecologically, economically and socially.

Embedding sustainability into educational ecosystems ignites passion and vision for environmental engineering. Integrating green technology examples into curricula and nurturing green clubs or initiatives within schools cultivates a culture of awareness and action. Celebrating student achievements in sustainability through showcases, media coverage, or grant applications fosters a sense of pride and motivation, nurturing future environmental leaders.

One thing i've learnt is : to read scientific papers. There is a lot of keys in many subjects and sometimes you will find something new to add in this specific subject. So read, read and read to elevate your mind and find something interesting or something new !

In my opinion, fostering a culture of sustainability and innovation from the beginning is one of the most effective way to inspire students to pursue green technology careers. This will also have an overall positive impact on society as well.

As someone who balances the precision of engineering with the depth of Indology and spirituality, I believe in creating an environment where sustainability is not just a concept but a way of life. Encouraging students to participate in sustainability challenges, innovation contests, or even community projects that focus on green solutions helps them see the bigger picture. Integrating principles from Indian philosophy, like the concept of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" (the world is one family), can inspire a deeper commitment to sustainability, emphasizing that their work in green technology is not just a career but a service to the world.

Building a culture of sustainibility should begin from the preliminary stages of the education system. In than sense the main philospohy must be placed upon the sustainibility ethics. Using ethics to help solve sustainability problems is one way to ensure that all of these voices are heard, including ones that may be more difficult to take into account, such as those of plants, animals, and future generations. Ethics can be applied within the three pillars of sustainability – social, environmental, and economic – and used to make sure that no view is overlooked.

I can give a practical example. In 2019 I engaged 5 UG final year students in constructing a low-cost greenhouse for vegetable cultivation using locally available materials. Generally waste from wood factories (waste wood and plastic sheets). Food waste and tress leaves were composted and used as manure. We built a decentralised grey water treatment system (slow sand filter) where we used the treated water to irrigate the vegetables. In a nutshell we successfully constructed a low-cost greenhouse and cultivated our first set of vegetables to include lettuce, tomatoes, pepper, and cucumber without the application of artificial fertiliser. Now 2 of the students are managing a larger scale greenhouse in the outskirts of Kano, Nigeria.

Beyond these strategies, collaborative partnerships with industries, hands-on internships, or leveraging technology platforms for global collaboration can further invigorate students' interest in green technology careers. Engaging them in real-world projects, fostering a mindset of global impact, and providing platforms for cross-cultural exchange offer unparalleled experiential learning, inspiring them to contribute meaningfully to environmental engineering on a global scale.

Dar o Exemplo, ser o exemplo. Como diz o ditado, liderar pelo exemplo. Seja você, antes de tudo, verdadeiramente engajado n?o só na sua carreira, mas em todos os aspectos com as tecnologias verdes. Os alunos nos observam o tempo todo. N?o adianta apenas ter o discurso e agir diferente na esfera pessoal, por exemplo. Como na frase de Ralph Waldo Emerson: "aquilo que você faz, fala t?o alto, que aquilo que você diz, ninguém escuta".

I would inspire young people through the most obvious and least employed approach, that is not mentioned here: by inviting them to be in nature, spend time in nature. By being in the ocean, mountains, and forests and by challenging younglings to find priscine places (which are scarce). By (re)connecting with our natural heritage we not only inspire people to pursue this or that career type, but we create commited minds to find solutions to problems that this or that career type are struggling to tacke with.

To accelerate the green technology industry, we need to involve not only engineers but also collaborators to expand technology seeds into the business. In this sense, I definitely agree with Ali's idea of creating the ecosystem from academia people, entrepreneurs, business partners, governments, NGO and etc.