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Auggie’s Note: This summer, I’ve been working with several members of Northeast Utilities’ (NU) Purchasing Department, developing a three day green expo for employees at the Berlin headquarters of the Fortune 500 company. On the NU team is a Providence College intern who was given the task of helping identify green product and service providers. When we began Katie seemed eager to investigate this green stuff. Last week we met and she had some very strong opinions about what she has learned this summer and her new found direction when she graduates in June2008; a green job for sure. She’s gone from a typical marketing major with no clue, to a little green marketing grasshopper. I decided to let Katie tell her story so others out there can think about green careers as schools start up again. Her story applies to all ages…
As an intern in the purchasing department of a regional energy company, I never expected that I would be working to save the planet. But yet, I was given the task of putting together a three day green expo for our employees here at the home office, with a goal to help the NU staff be better environmental stewards at work, home and in the community. My own green summer internship, yes! Prior to my experience at Northeast Utilities, my background in environmentalism had been purely natural, having done what most kids do when we are growing up; gardens, the woods, pets, the usual. But after learning about what businesses are doing in terms of the environment and social responsibility, I am convinced that my mission now is to graduate and get a green job with a company that addresses global concerns and wants to make a difference. The three day event being held in October will feature “green” vendors who will exhibit their products and representatives from environmental organizations will speak to attendees. Day one focuses on what individuals can do to be better environmental stewards, day two discusses the current “green” practices of Northeast Utilities and will look at ways we can become more eco-friendly in the future, and the last day centers on cleaner methods of transportation. As I have been involved in every aspect of creating this Expo, watching it develop into a company-wide event has been thrilling and rewarding. Not only are we going to tell stories about what is going on here, we will have experts discussing what’s going on out there.
Each step of the process, has also affected me personally. From searching out environmentally friendly vendors to designing the Expo set-up and creating an advertising campaign, I am convinced that “going green” is the right thing to do for all companies. I thought that my “environmental footprint” was relatively small until I began to evaluate the products I frequently use. Discovering environmentally preferable alternatives to these products has made me realize it is not that difficult to be green. There are a lot of alternatives. Aside from learning how I can personally better help the planet, I have also uncovered some amazingly intricate recycling projects that companies like Northeast Utilities are undertaking. But perhaps the best aspect of working on the Expo this summer has been meeting a variety of people from different backgrounds who all have a passion to make our environment healthier. Being exposed this summer to a new kind of environmentalism has made me a true believer in the future of green. I hope now for a position that allows me to promote environmentally friendly products and/or services. Is anybody reading this? Need a green team player? If so, post a comment on this blog and Auggie V will send you my resume. Katie Kelly This post was reprinted with permission from Auggie V's Green Blog |
