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Interviewee: Hannah Debelius
Crystal Jennings: What is your role with the company and why did you choose to work at U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)?
Hannah Debelius: I work on our grassroots outreach and advocacy team. My work is specific to schools, K-12 and higher education. My job title is Program Manager for the USGBC Students program. A component of the program is dedicated to college students throughout the U.S. and having them affiliate with our organization in order to advance their career goals and have a positive impact in their community and on their campus. What drew me to this work is my passion at the intersection of education and sustainability, both direct education through curriculum and using the built environment as a learning tool. It’s that passion that led me to want to work for USGBC.
CJ: Explain the term “built environment”?
HD: The built environment refers to buildings and spaces that humans cultivate. If I just said building, then you would think just the physical building but when it comes to green buildings, things like site selection and landscaping come into play. The impact both on the environment and the health and wellbeing of the occupant is considered when we use the term “built environment.”
CJ: What difference can graduates expect to make by going into green building/built environment careers with the USGBC?
CJ: What would you say to students and young professionals interested in this field of work today? And what career opportunities do you see on the horizon?
HD: Students don’t have to be an architect to work with buildings. I think that so many times we think that in order to build a building, or be a part of this industry, you have to be the person drawing plans. But actually, there’s so much more to built environment jobs! Everything from the obvious jobs like engineering and design and landscape architecture, to the positions that are really about the way the occupants behave in a building. Think about this: even if you have the greenest building, occupants could come in and override all the systems and not live up to the potential of the building. When looking at the built environment, consider what you’re passionate about and then see where the intersection lies within the industry. So many jobs are going to be considered green jobs in the future and no matter where students and young professionals work, or what industry they go into, they will probably be working in a building, which means they still have the opportunity to take on a leadership role in the behavior aspect of the built environment.
CJ: What should students study? And are there particular credentials of relevance to employers?
HD: There’s definitely a focus on the STEM programs (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) but if they want to go into more of the outreach realm, like I did, then a more general degree is really helpful. Even something like English can really help prepare you. As far as a credential of relevance, a person can earn a LEED credential and I really suggest all college students get one while they are in college – become a LEED Green Associate, which is the entry level exam credential where students can study for the exam, take the exam and maintain that credential through earning continuing education units. The exam is offered through USGBC and it really does make students standout when they’re going into any job in the sustainability field but in particular, jobs in green building.
CJ: How does hands-on conservation experience, or experiential learning for students make a difference when hiring?
HD: There’s a lot of value in hands on experience. When reviewing resumes, I really value when students can quantify the impact that they’ve made. To be able to say they wrote a communications plan that reached “x” number of people or they made a behavior change campaign on their campus that reduced energy use by “x” number of kilowatt hours. Those metrics are really valued when employers are seeking out potential employees. I think that the more hands on experience and tangible ways that students can apply their knowledge, the better off they will be when seeking out career opportunities.
CJ: How might certification as a NWF EcoLeaders make a difference to employers?
CJ: Overall, what would you recommend to graduates who want to make a difference for community sustainability?
HD: Go on a lot of informational interviews and reach out to different professionals in any sector that you might be interested in. Ask professionals for more information or ask if you can do job shadowing. I think that's a great way for students to define their passion and start to build their network long term. Professionals are always willing to reach out a helping hand and have an informational interview.
***
Click Here to Return to the Green Building Career Sector Overview
Interviewee: Hannah Debelius
Program Manager in the Center for Green Schools
U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)
Interviewer: Crystal Jennings, NWF
Crystal Jennings: What is your role with the company and why did you choose to work at U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)?
Hannah Debelius: I work on our grassroots outreach and advocacy team. My work is specific to schools, K-12 and higher education. My job title is Program Manager for the USGBC Students program. A component of the program is dedicated to college students throughout the U.S. and having them affiliate with our organization in order to advance their career goals and have a positive impact in their community and on their campus. What drew me to this work is my passion at the intersection of education and sustainability, both direct education through curriculum and using the built environment as a learning tool. It’s that passion that led me to want to work for USGBC.
CJ: Explain the term “built environment”?
HD: The built environment refers to buildings and spaces that humans cultivate. If I just said building, then you would think just the physical building but when it comes to green buildings, things like site selection and landscaping come into play. The impact both on the environment and the health and wellbeing of the occupant is considered when we use the term “built environment.”
CJ: What difference can graduates expect to make by going into green building/built environment careers with the USGBC?
HD: Going into a career in the built environment, in general, can definitely have a tangible impact on mitigating the impacts of climate change, because buildings are such a large contributor to greenhouse gases, electric and water use.
By making a commitment, no matter where you are as a stakeholder to green building, you can have a very measurable impact on mitigating climate change and improving the environment. Around here we say that “a story about a building is really a story about a person.” In the United States, we spend about 90% of our time indoors, so it really does matter where you live, work and play.CJ: What would you say to students and young professionals interested in this field of work today? And what career opportunities do you see on the horizon?
HD: Students don’t have to be an architect to work with buildings. I think that so many times we think that in order to build a building, or be a part of this industry, you have to be the person drawing plans. But actually, there’s so much more to built environment jobs! Everything from the obvious jobs like engineering and design and landscape architecture, to the positions that are really about the way the occupants behave in a building. Think about this: even if you have the greenest building, occupants could come in and override all the systems and not live up to the potential of the building. When looking at the built environment, consider what you’re passionate about and then see where the intersection lies within the industry. So many jobs are going to be considered green jobs in the future and no matter where students and young professionals work, or what industry they go into, they will probably be working in a building, which means they still have the opportunity to take on a leadership role in the behavior aspect of the built environment.
CJ: What should students study? And are there particular credentials of relevance to employers?
HD: There’s definitely a focus on the STEM programs (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) but if they want to go into more of the outreach realm, like I did, then a more general degree is really helpful. Even something like English can really help prepare you. As far as a credential of relevance, a person can earn a LEED credential and I really suggest all college students get one while they are in college – become a LEED Green Associate, which is the entry level exam credential where students can study for the exam, take the exam and maintain that credential through earning continuing education units. The exam is offered through USGBC and it really does make students standout when they’re going into any job in the sustainability field but in particular, jobs in green building.
CJ: How does hands-on conservation experience, or experiential learning for students make a difference when hiring?
HD: There’s a lot of value in hands on experience. When reviewing resumes, I really value when students can quantify the impact that they’ve made. To be able to say they wrote a communications plan that reached “x” number of people or they made a behavior change campaign on their campus that reduced energy use by “x” number of kilowatt hours. Those metrics are really valued when employers are seeking out potential employees. I think that the more hands on experience and tangible ways that students can apply their knowledge, the better off they will be when seeking out career opportunities.
CJ: How might certification as a NWF EcoLeaders make a difference to employers?
HD: This goes back to having hands on experience. I think any way that you can quantify your contribution, efforts or leadership skills is a real assets when you’re applying to jobs. It’s something employers are going to respect, so in a way the EcoLeaders certification is a means to quantify leadership skills and actions that students have already taken. I think that could be a real asset on a resume and something that can definitely make a student stand apart.
CJ: Overall, what would you recommend to graduates who want to make a difference for community sustainability?
HD: Go on a lot of informational interviews and reach out to different professionals in any sector that you might be interested in. Ask professionals for more information or ask if you can do job shadowing. I think that's a great way for students to define their passion and start to build their network long term. Professionals are always willing to reach out a helping hand and have an informational interview.
***
Click Here to Return to the Green Building Career Sector Overview
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Sector
Green Building
Category Career Center Resources
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