A bachelor's degree in green management leads to a sustainable career

Green is the new black, at least in a marketing sense. Organizations that want to appeal to an increasingly eco-savvy clientele must adapt their practices to ensure they're sustainable, or at least have a minimal impact on the environment. The result: business is booming for those who know how to adjust operations to improve efficiency and sustainability. That's where green management professionals come in.

What is green management?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), green jobs are those that provide goods or services that benefit the environment, or that make their establishment's production processes more environmentally friendly. Green management degree holders can do either, but trend toward the latter, evaluating an organization's practices, then implementing a plan to make them more sustainable.

Careers for those with green management degrees

Earning your bachelor's degree in green management can prepare you for a wide scope of eco-savvy careers. Careers that are traditionally less green can benefit from the additional training in sustainability and green initiatives. The following careers are ideal for those with green management degrees, and include projections and salary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Environmental scientists apply natural science knowledge to identify and resolve potential health or safety issues. They can also work in private organizations to help them improve their practices from an environmental standpoint, making green management degrees an ideal fit. Environmental scientist positions are expected to grow 28 percent between 2008 and 2018, much faster than the average for all occupations. They earned an average annual salary of $67,360 in May, 2009.

Industrial production managers coordinate manufacturing processes, overseeing both workers and equipment. The sustainability training green management degrees provide help them do their jobs more efficiently. Positions for industrial production managers expected to decline somewhat between 2008 and 2018, so education is key. They earned an average of $93,650 nationally in 2009.

Operations managers are akin to CEOs, managing strategies and resources company-wide. Those who work in green industries or for companies that maintain sustainable operations benefit from green management degrees. Little to no employment change projected for operations managers between 2008 and 2018, and they earned an average 2009 annual salary of $110,550.

A bachelor's degree in green management can be sufficient training for these positions, but some employers prefer those with higher degrees or additional environmental science training.

Green management degrees at a glance

Green management degree programs provide tomorrow's sustainability leaders and consultants with the training they need to ensure their organizations' practices and processes are environmentally sound. Courses might include:

• Ethics
• Resource Management
• Environmental Policy
• Environmental Health

Earn an online bachelor's degree in green management

Green management degrees are well suited for online learning, though those who hope to become environmental scientists might prefer a hybrid program that combines online lessons with hands-on lab work. Earning your online bachelor's degree in green management will provide you with the basic skills you need to succeed in green business, but with the added convenience and flexibility of online learning.

Securing financial aid

Many schools offering either campus-based or online bachelor's degrees in green management offer financial aid. Working professionals should research potential employee tuition assistance benefits offered by their employers.

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