Is there a resource for employment in the Green Building field? I am a student that will be transferring into an architecture program and am anxious to get involved and get some experience under my belt. Designing modern/green houses is what my ultimate goal is but I am eager to learn any and all aspects of building construction and landscape design. I am located in Central, NY, but if the right opportunity came up, I would be willing to move. Thanks

You might try getting in touch with your local Contractors/Builders Alliance or association and ask them which of their members has an interest in green building. Spend a few hours on the Internet to familiarize yourself with the work that member does and then contact the owner. Tell him or her that you want to work (part-time or Summer, I presume) and here are some things you think you could do. It might be anything from incorporating some new cost and energy saving features into homes they already build (design) to actually assisting with the installations (hands-on experience). They might need someone to do a short-term project like collecting energy analyses on green projects they have done and comparing them to non-green or conventional places and preparing a report. Then, give the owner a chance to mention something they have been thinking about getting done. Keep some ideas of your own in reserve if you are not getting any traction by then.

You could go right to a design or Architecture shop, but hands-on experience is always valuable for the long run and this is the stage at which to do it.

Of course there is always a source of employment in this industry! I hoe you'll find what you really want!! Good Luck!!


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SIPs

Ryry,
Get in touch with Dan Farrell at NYSERDA [email protected], and talk to him about green education and certification. There are lots of classes available, and I know they are very interested in getting architects involved with green building. Having certification in green energy might give you an advantage in employment. He might also be able to put you in contact with other green architects.

In central NY, I don't know if you are closest to Rochester or Syracuse. NYSBA is the Rochester building association, and you can contact Juli Turner, [email protected] for info. I don't know if she will have direct answers, but she might be able to point you in the direction of where to look.

-Rosalinda