Resources
Green careers start with curiosity. Use these resources to explore real jobs, see climate action happening close to home, and hear from people building a more sustainable future.
Green Careers
Career ideas, workforce pathways, and stories about people building environmental and clean-energy careers — with several resources focused specifically on Maryland.
Building Maryland's Emerging Green Workforce
Maryland DNR highlights Natural Resources Careers Camp, the Maryland Conservation Corps, and other ways young people can begin environmental and conservation careers.
Maryland Department of Natural Resources ↗Natural Resources Careers Camp
A weeklong Maryland experience introducing high school students to forestry, wildlife, fisheries, watershed ecology, GIS and other natural-resource careers.
Maryland DNR ↗Clean Energy Career Training
Explore Maryland workforce programs in solar installation, environmental restoration, electric vehicles, infrastructure and other clean-energy fields.
Maryland Department of Labor ↗Green Jobs, Bright Futures
See how hands-on training can lead into careers in restoration, forestry, stormwater management, wildlife and other natural-resource fields.
Maryland DNR ↗7 In-Demand Green Jobs
A quick look at careers such as wind turbine technician, solar installer and other jobs supporting the transition to a lower-carbon economy.
TED Ideas ↗Careers in Solar Power
Explore the range of occupations involved in solar energy — from manufacturing and engineering to installation, construction and operations.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics ↗Guide to Conservation Careers in Maryland
An extensive Maryland DNR guide to conservation career fields, education and vocational pathways, internships, workforce programs, job-search resources, and real professionals working across the state.
Maryland Department of Natural Resources · PDF ↗Climate Action Projects
These stories show that students do not have to wait until college or a career to make an impact. Several are happening right here in Montgomery County.
Green Corners for Everyone
Montgomery County high school students are transforming an empty Rockville lot into an accessible community green space with native plants and a focus on sustainability.
Montgomery Community Media ↗Students Build Climate Action Plans
At the MCPS climate summit, students explored school sustainability, advocacy and practical climate solutions — then created action plans to bring ideas back to their communities.
Montgomery Community Media ↗Student Climate Action Council
Meet the MCPS student council working to support student-created sustainability projects and help fund ideas that tackle climate change locally.
Montgomery County Public Schools ↗Sustainability Through Art
The 2026 MCPS Sustainability Poster Contest challenged students to communicate ideas about energy conservation, waste reduction, recycling and environmental stewardship.
Montgomery County Public Schools ↗Using VR to Visualize Climate Solutions
University of Maryland landscape architecture students used virtual reality to help people visualize sea-level rise and possible climate adaptations at Point Lookout State Park.
Maryland DNR ↗MCPS Sustainability & Student Resources
Find school sustainability initiatives, student activities, climate summits and examples of projects that can spark ideas for your own school.
Montgomery County Public Schools ↗TED Talks
Watch scientists, activists, entrepreneurs and sustainability leaders explain how communication, technology, agriculture and everyday careers can become part of climate solutions.
The most important thing you can do to fight climate change: talk about it
A powerful reminder that climate work also needs communicators, connectors and people who can find shared values.
Watch on TED ↗Every job is a climate job now
Climate solutions need people across the entire workforce — not only people with “climate” in their job title.
Watch on TED ↗The climate solutions creating new jobs
See how clean-energy and climate solutions can create economic opportunity and entirely new career pathways.
Watch on TED ↗The clean energy hub of the future
An environmental researcher explores the scale of renewable-energy opportunity and the partnerships needed to build it.
Watch on TED ↗How regenerative agriculture brings life back to the land
A hands-on look at how agricultural practices can improve soil health, food systems and environmental outcomes.
Watch on TED ↗Why you should be a climate activist
A youth-focused talk about how anyone can start participating in climate action, regardless of age.
Watch on TED ↗YouTube
Videos can be a great way to see green careers, environmental projects, and climate solutions in action. We’ll use this section for useful career explainers, Maryland features, student stories, and longer-form videos that do not fit the TED Talk format.
Green Careers Video
Watch this video resource to learn more about environmental work, sustainability, and pathways into green careers.
Watch on YouTube ↗How to Make Sustainability Your Job
Study Hall explains what sustainability jobs are, how students can prepare for them, and how to start looking for careers where sustainability is part of the work.
Study Hall · Watch on YouTube ↗Environmental Science Careers
A student-focused introduction to careers that protect animals, plants, ecosystems, and natural resources — useful for anyone wondering what environmental science can lead to.
Watch on YouTube ↗What Is a Sustainability Degree?
Explore what students may study in a sustainability major — including environmental science, economics, urban planning, and related fields — and how those interests can connect to college.
Study Hall · Watch on YouTube ↗What Does an Environmental Specialist Do?
Hear directly from an environmental specialist working as a NOAA contractor about her responsibilities and what the career looks like in practice.
Watch on YouTube ↗See something that inspires you?
Use it as a starting point. Research the career, talk to a teacher or counselor, bring a project idea to your school, or find a local organization doing work you care about.