Getting into the Green Building Industry
Hello everyone,
My name is Derek, and I am wondering how to get into the green building industry. I love sustainable design and all of the challenges and solutions it presents, and I have been absorbing everything I can for the past ten(ish) years simply because I enjoy the topic and I have dreams of building a green home someday.
I have been teaching English at the high school level for the past 11 years, but at this point in my career, I am eager to explore other passions and skills. I have a well-above average knowledge of construction, building science, and sustainability, but I would love to learn more. I also feel that many of the soft and hard skills I have developed professionally thus far translate quite well to many other roles. I also have the benefit of living in a large city (Chicago) where I am assuming opportunities are more numerous.
If you were me, where would you start? Are PHIUS or LEED certifications worth it? Am I crazy? What kinds of advice or career paths would you recommend? So far I have only glanced through job postings, but sustainability consultant or building performance field specialists seem to be common postings that don’t ask for Masters degrees in engineering or architecture.
Thanks so much in advance!
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Your biggest challenge will be translating what you have learned in your research to what gets implemented in the real world. Since you are a teacher, and since you live in a climate that has severe weather in the winter, it is probable residential construction goes at 150% in the summer. Contact some smaller local builders (preferably those with a bent towards sustainable green construction), advise them you want to get into the industry, and ask if there is any opportunity for a temporary assistant PM/Assistant Super type job over the summer. Do this for one summer and then decide if you really want to switch careers to this industry.
Hi Derek,
This is a topic of conversation that comes up with some frequency in the green building community. I have been told by pros in the field that earning credentials as an energy rater is a smart way to go, and that the Building Performance Institute is a good way to get there. This Fine Homebuilding Pro Talk episode might be of interest to you, too.
Derek,
Every construction crew I know of is hiring right now. So I suggest you get a job. Start working in construction -- maybe put in 4 or 5 years. At that point your opportunities should be clearer.
I brought this up to my colleague Patrick McCombe over at Fine Homebuilding, and we plan to discuss it on a near-future podcast episode. Transitioning from a career as an English teacher to a bottom-rung construction hand seems roundabout. I am a proponent of the building-performance diagnostics route. You'll be both in your element (studying) and on a new frontier--without the promise of a broken body in 10 years.
Kiley,
Building performance diagnostics is a difficult trade -- hard to make the numbers work for many contractors. On the other hand, construction is booming (and desperate for workers). It's hard to imagine that a diagnostics professional will be worth much if he or she lacks a construction background.
I was an English major in college -- I'm not knocking English -- but after I left school I worked as a roofer, framer, remodeler, and builder. All of those trades need workers now.
+1 for getting some experience on a construction crew as Martin mentioned. We are *desperate* for people right now in pretty much every trade! I'm an engineer now, but I started doing basic construction stuff (electrical, specifically, which makes sense since I'm an electrical engineer :-). You'll be MUCH more valuable if you know the theory AND the hands-on how-to stuff. My contractors that work under me now have a lot more respect for me as an engineer since they all know I started where they did, and I'm still not afraid to get my hands dirty -- I will often help out my crews on the jobsite when they need an extra guy. I also like doing the hands-on work and I'm glad I get to go out in the field and not just be stuck at a desk all day.
For energy/performance things, starting out as a framer would probably be good. The reason I say this is that if you understand how the structure is put together, you'll be better able to visualize where leaks might be and how to seal things when you're out doing the building performance stuff.
Bill
Hey Derek,
I was in a similar boat to you not too long ago, leaving an unfulfilling career in tech for sustainable building. Like Martin said, EVERYONE is hiring right now, so you're in a great starting position, whichever direction you go. What I'd recommend is trying to figure out WHAT you want to do in green building, do you want to be a consultant, a designer, a builder, a GC, a developer, an HVAC sub, etc.. Do you enjoy working from the comfort of an office, or do you enjoy throwing on a set of bags every day, do you want to work with lots of different projects or focus on one at a time, would you prefer to be a specialist or generalist. There's a million niches, all of these would have different paths, and you can always pivot.
Since nobody has mentioned them yet, two more options I'd consider for getting your foot in the door. Construction Management degrees would help if you want to be a supervisor or contractor, and may be feasible in your spare time. You could also try doing a project on your own, something like an ADU, and do as much as you can yourself, you'll quickly learn there's a big difference between book knowledge and the real world.
Good Luck!
I would suggest finding some aspect of construction that you like, and specialize in that specific field. It is much easier to learn the intricacies of one trade than all the trades, like a general needs to know. For example, say you want to get into HVAC type stuff- a couple of courses and you would be a shoe in to get hired by a company where you could learn the hands on aspect. Then you could go out on your own. Same for roofing, or air barriers, etc etc.
I often think that if I were to start over in construction, I may go into roofing. The reason is that roofs are required on every project, they are critical components, they can be complex, roof construction is super important to high performance buildings, and...ahem...roofers can be a bit rough around the edges (sorry roofers!), so a competent, smart person could market themselves well.
Ha, you are me 15 years ago.
I was initially self-employed and did energy audits and home performance work mostly. This is what the world needs, but it doesn’t pay bills. At all.
I started doing plumbing and heating because that paid better and there was demand in my area of upstate NY. Also I had a leg up in that I understood heat loads and could read an install manual, which is a bit uncommon in this area.
In the last few years, ashps and mechanical ventilation have been a good niche for me. The challenges are mostly technical, and I find the work interesting, and it doesn’t wreck my body.
It’s been a hard road, partly because I did not find a skilled crew to work with until much later, so most of my learning was the hard way.
The advice above on roofing is good I think, especially metal roofing.
Find people with skills. Read constantly. Things will sort themselves out. Good luck!
Derek,
I ended up discussing your question and this thread on the FHB podcast that aired today: Episode 439.
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Hey Derek,
I just heard your post read on the FHB podcast and it immediately spoke to me. I am also a teacher about to embark on a transition into design/build with a focus on energy efficiency/sustainability/green principles.
Like you, I have been doing a lot of learning on my own. I subscribe to any newsletter I can find, and listen to a dozen different podcasts. I've taken several classes in design/build, Net Zero design, Building science (BPI cert) and recently PassiveHouse with a CPHT cert.
I've also had a lot of advice from those in the field. The majority of them agree that some kind of experience in hands-on construction is beneficial, especially with no formal training as an engineer or architect. Most recommended working on a job site or directly for a construction company in some capacity to better understand the practical aspects of building. Like you, I imagine, I feel I have a pretty good understanding of the theoretical aspects through my studies. But I know physically touching and doing will help me fully understand the entire process from design to construction (physically installing the air barrier to be sure it's continuous, etc).
I understand that you are also interested in the BS aspect of the built environment, which is an essential part of the process. I found it helpful to reach out and talk to anyone who would reply to my email in the field - HERS energy raters, folks who do energy audits, etc. Hearing about their day to day might give you a better insight into what it's like and what the market is right now. (As I side note, I have found most people I've reached out to who are involved in building/design in any way are more than happy to chat with someone interested in their field).
I have recently taken a job in construction - my first career transition in 25 years of teaching. I am beyond excited, expect there will be a ton to learn, and hope that it serves as a jumping off point for my future goals in this career change. I know the first couple of years will be some long days, and a lot more physical labor than I am used to. But I have been building on my own for almost 2 decades, and feel I know enough about basic construction, tool operation, and safety to mitigate most of the stresses that will come with this new gig.
Anyway, I was excited to hear about someone who sounds very similar to myself with similar goals. I'd be happy to chat with you about your thoughts and ideas if you want.
Hey Derek,,
I just heard your post read on the FHB podcast and it immediately spoke to me. I am also a teacher about to embark on a transition into design/build with a focus on energy efficiency/sustainability/green principles.
Like you, I have been doing a lot of learning on my own. I subscribe to any newsletter I can find, and listen to a dozen different podcasts. I've taken several classes in design/build, Net Zero design, Building science (BPI cert) and recently PassiveHouse with a CPHT cert.
I've also had a lot of advice from those in the field. The majority of them agree that some kind of experience in hands-on construction is beneficial, especially with no formal training as an engineer or architect. Most recommended working on a job site or directly for a construction company in some capacity to better understand the practical aspects of building. Like you, I imagine, I feel I have a pretty good understanding of the theoretical aspects through my studies. But I know physically touching and doing will help me fully understand the entire process from design to construction (physically installing the air barrier to be sure it's continuous, etc).
I understand that you are also interested in the BS aspect of the built environment, which is an essential part of the process. I found it helpful to reach out and talk to anyone who would reply to my email in the field - HERS energy raters, folks who do energy audits, etc. Hearing about their day to day might give you a better insight into what it's like and what the market is right now. (As I side note, I have found most people I've reached out to who are involved in building/design in any way are more than happy to chat with someone interested in their field).
I have recently taken a job in construction - my first career transition in 25 years of teaching. I am beyond excited, expect there will be a ton to learn, and hope that it serves as a jumping off point for my future goals in this career change. I know the first couple of years will be some long days, and a lot more physical labor than I am used to. But I have been building on my own for almost 2 decades, and feel I know enough about basic construction, tool operation, and safety to mitigate most of the stresses that will come with this new gig.
Anyway, I was excited to hear about someone who sounds very similar to myself with similar goals. I'd be happy to chat with you about your thoughts and ideas if you want.
Hey WL2010,
I'm filled with an odd mix of commiseration and frustration when I hear so many teachers are leaving the profession. I truly loved teaching, and despite being objectively successful, objective success is--at least temporarily--no longer valued or supported in my situation. However, I am excited to channel my energy into solutions.
I can't tell you how thrilling it was to be mentioned in a FHB podcast. Hearing different perspectives on career change in general also provided some interesting food for thought.
The pursuit of objective success is at the core of what I find alluring about green building. It's encouraging to hear that you've made some impressive strides in getting your hands figuratively and literally dirty in the industry. Of course, being involved in the industry is a nebulous goal itself. Leveraging some of the skills I have developed as an English teacher, I am currently considering a career that involves writing: either content writing or copy writing. This would be a very natural fit and one that still allows me to consider myself "involved" in the green building industry. If anyone has any guidance in this aspect of the industry, I would be very interested in learning more.
Maybe I can steal Martin's job--I'm kidding of course! I always enjoy his articles.