VTmotoMike08 0 #1 April 11, 2009 I am interested in hearing if anyone knows someone who has recently gotten one of Obama's "green jobs"? I mean someone you personally know who actually got a job that would not have been there if it were not for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. I don't want to hear about politicians saying that the act will create the jobs, I want to know of any actual specific examples. My situation is that I graduate from college in 6 weeks with a BS in civil/ environmental engineering and I want to work in renewable energy project design and eventually move into project management. Contrary to what you might think, this field seems to be virtually dead. Simply no one is hiring because no one has contracts to construct wind farms, do research on other technologies, or really much of anything. I have expressed my willingness to live virtually anywhere in the country, so this is not a local issue. The stimulus was supposed to help projects that could be "shovel ready" in 90 days (IIRC) so it is amazing to me that this field is so dead. So what's the deal? Was the stimulus act BS? OK, rant over. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,070 #2 April 11, 2009 >I graduate from college in 6 weeks with a BS in civil/ environmental >engineering and I want to work in renewable energy project design . . . Where do you want to be located? And what specialty are you looking at? (siting/permitting/site design etc) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VTmotoMike08 0 #3 April 11, 2009 First choice would be Denver, second choice would be anywhere else that is similar in size with good recreational opportunities. I'm not trying to live in the middle of no where, but I know I will need to be flexible. I kinda see myself working in site selection, permitting, and then construction management (which I have some experience in). I will leave the guts of the turbines to the mechanical engineers, I know these projects take all types. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TomAiello 26 #4 April 11, 2009 Quote>I graduate from college in 6 weeks with a BS in civil/ environmental >engineering and I want to work in renewable energy project design . . . Where do you want to be located? QuoteI have expressed my willingness to live virtually anywhere in the country, so this is not a local issue. -- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,070 #5 April 11, 2009 OK, I'll take a look. At last year's Solar Power International a lot of companies were pretty desperate for installers; if you had NABCEP certification they were making offers right there. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jerryzflies 0 #6 April 11, 2009 Quote The stimulus was supposed to help projects that could be "shovel ready" in 90 days (IIRC) . And IIRC, the "shovel ready" projects were for infrastructure repair by the states. I saw a bunch of stuff going on during a recent drive to Florida.If you can't fix it with a hammer, the problem's electrical. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VTmotoMike08 0 #7 April 11, 2009 I have read some, not all, of the official text, but I know there was some money in there for both maintenance of existing infrastructure and construction of new facilities, especially in the energy sector. Good point, I'm not sure which section the "shovel ready" clause applied to, I will have to look it up. I know that, at least in the municipal water sector, many projects were halted mid-design because they knew they would not have the money to actually build it (couldn't get the loan, etc). Shovel ready might apply to those only. It sure would be a shame if that act passed without the forcible language to make the renewable energy projects happen sooner rather than later. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coreece 190 #8 April 11, 2009 Did you check out these 1000+ civil engineering government positions? http://jobsearch.usajobs.gov/jobsearch.asp?re=5&pg=1&q=civil+engineer&sort=rv&FedEmp=N&vw=d&brd=3876&ss=0&FedPub=Y Don't forget to thank Obama... Your secrets are the true reflection of who you really are... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VTmotoMike08 0 #9 April 11, 2009 Briefly, yes. Someone else told me about USA jobs a couple months ago. Not trying to sound like a cry baby but 1320 jobs is actually not that many considering the entire scope of the civil engineering field and how big the federal government is. And (for my case) most of those are not entry level jobs. Among the major, nationally known engineering companies, the common sentiment from the recruiting directors that I have talked to is that they have about 10% of the openings for new college grads that they have had in past years I imagine that the government job pool is about the same, maybe a little better. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coreece 190 #10 April 11, 2009 I don't know what to tell you then... good luck....Your secrets are the true reflection of who you really are... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jerryzflies 0 #11 April 11, 2009 Quote Briefly, yes. Someone else told me about USA jobs a couple months ago. Not trying to sound like a cry baby but 1320 jobs is actually not that many considering the entire scope of the civil engineering field and how big the federal government is. And (for my case) most of those are not entry level jobs. Among the major, nationally known engineering companies, the common sentiment from the recruiting directors that I have talked to is that they have about 10% of the openings for new college grads that they have had in past years I imagine that the government job pool is about the same, maybe a little better. The job market for new grads sucks all around, but with over 2 million new unemployed over the past few months, what do you expect? And you can't blame Obama for the state of the economy - he INHERITED the mess.If you can't fix it with a hammer, the problem's electrical. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shermanator 4 #12 April 11, 2009 screw that, check out soil remediation, seems to be kicking just fine for the time being, and good money in it.CLICK HERE! new blog posted 9/21/08 CSA #720 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VTmotoMike08 0 #13 April 11, 2009 Agreed. I too have noticed that the soil/ ground water remediation field is going fairly strong. Unfortunately for me, it is a specialty, and you are really only competitive for these very technically complex jobs with a master's degree in environmental engineering. I have had some classwork in the area and I might apply anyway if I find something that suits... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VTmotoMike08 0 #14 April 11, 2009 Replying to a couple things here. Thanks for the replies so far. I'm not attempting to blame Obama for the current mess. I am well aware of what he inherited. I do want to see some of his talk about green jobs come thru with real _measurable_ results. I know enough people in the civil/ environmental/ construction industries that if job creation will actually happen as a direct result of his policies, it is a good bet that I will hear about it. So far, I have heard nothing, but I concede that it is fairly early. You can bet I will tear him a new one on these forums if it has been all talk and nothing meaningful. I suspect that there might be a gap between what the government is telling us this money is being spent on, and what it is actually going towardsI did not mean for this thread to be about me, I really wanted to see if anyone had seen measurable results and job creation from the stimulus, but since people started talking about my situation... http://www.linkedin.com/pub/10/a32/b41 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DJL 235 #15 April 11, 2009 Start looking for grad schools (for ANYTHING). You may as well as long as the market sucks so much. Or sell drugs. Hey, it worked in the 80's."I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #16 April 12, 2009 My wife just passed the test and became LEED certified. Does that count? (Although Uncle O didn't make anything about her job happen, or her certifications). Just a few more months and she should have her PE too. --"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gawain 0 #17 April 12, 2009 Since you would like to move toward Project Management, Don't limit yourself to "green" type jobs. They don't exist. They won't exist. The closest you'll find is to work through general engineering type firms that involve themselves in erosion control/recovery projects, etc. Wind farms would be nice, but the environmentalists are blocking wide-spread build-outs for fear of their impact on birds. A huge Solar Panel project in Nevada has been on hold for years because the "dirt people" are concerned on the impact on turtles or something...Even Senator Reid is apparently unable to break the log-jam. The unfortunate reality is that these "green" jobs will help reduce extraneous waste as we continue to develop the world. Even if President Obama is able to initiate some of these "grand-scale" "green-job" projects, the bulk of this "stimuli" won't be spent for more than two years.So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VTmotoMike08 0 #18 April 12, 2009 All good points. Anyone familiar enough with the industry knows that there are relatively few firms that just do wind farms and PV. Most firms that do it also have a variety of other services. This helps keep people busy when one type or work slows down. As for grad school, this has been one of the most competitive years ever according to one of my profs who manages that area at Virginia Tech. Everyone thinks that since the economy is so bad, they will just go to grad school for two years and wait it out. Well.. everyone does that and then it becomes a lot more competitive. I didn't apply- not right for me at this time, I'm tired of school and I need to make money! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JerryBaumchen 1,436 #19 April 12, 2009 Hi Vt, Try here: http://www.jobs.bpa.gov/ They did have a quite strong environmental group when I retired from there in '99. Plus they are rather heavily involved in some wind turbine projects; the last that I knew, so take it with a grain of salt. Also, consider taking ANY job at first; you do need to get 'something' on the old resume'. When I graduated in '71 there were virtually NO JOBS in the engineering field. Boeing had just downsized substantially, NASA had a large layoff; it was not a good time to be newly grad'd engineer. My best friend/classmate took a job as a security guard for $1.75/hr until Oct when he found something. Good luck, JerryBaumchen PS) If you need some actual names at BPA, let me know as I am sure I would know some of them who would be still working there. PPS) Call to BPA and ask for a guy named Mike Berger; he is an old friend/co-worker and will give you very good advice ( no BS, as he is a straight shooter ), if he is still there ( I haven't talked to him in a number of years ). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BIGUN 1,409 #20 April 12, 2009 While you're in your final months and your course load _may_ be heavy; you should consider working towards the Project Management Institute's PMP certification also. http://www.pmi.org/Pages/default.aspxNobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jerryzflies 0 #21 April 12, 2009 Quote Don't limit yourself to "green" type jobs. They don't exist. They won't exist. . Your record in predicting economic outcomes is not very good. Remember the "R" word.If you can't fix it with a hammer, the problem's electrical. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coreece 190 #22 April 12, 2009 QuoteYour record in predicting economic outcomes is not very good. Remember the "R" word. I think people can stop throwing that in his face...I think many people got his point that things really could be much worse...the fact is, for most people depending on their prespective, things aren't sooooo bad...just really dramatic.Your secrets are the true reflection of who you really are... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gawain 0 #23 April 13, 2009 Quote Quote Your record in predicting economic outcomes is not very good. Remember the "R" word. I think people can stop throwing that in his face...I think many people got his point that things really could be much worse...the fact is, for most people depending on their prespective, things aren't sooooo bad...just really dramatic. I, for one, am thoroughly entertained by his penchant for beating a dead horse. So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VTmotoMike08 0 #24 April 13, 2009 I don't remember the R word because I don't read this forum all that much. Anyone care to enlighten me? PM would be fine. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gawain 0 #25 April 13, 2009 Quote I don't remember the R word because I don't read this forum all that much. Anyone care to enlighten me? PM would be fine. Last summer, I started a thread titled "Must be tough to be crying the "R" word" in the wake of economic data at the time which showed GDP growth, even when the press and many in Congress (mostly democrats) were crying recession, depression, ad infinitum. There's no argument now that our economy is receding (oddly fitting into that 8-10 year cycle), and some think tank noted that through their soft-definition, the recession began in Dec. 07. Of course, when pointed with questions about conflicting data, they offer no specifics, but no matter. Good-ole-Jerry likes to whip a stick out and remind me of that thread because he has no other competing or cogent thoughts to share on the matter. So, there it is. It was my thread, I started it. I stand by what I said at the time. So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
