Results 26 to 50 of 65
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11-30-2016, 02:42 PM #26
I'd take a look at the traditional utility companies in the area you want to live in. They aren't going to be cutting edge but you may be able to get in the door peddling the energy efficiency stuff and gradually transition over to something more related to the storage/renewable areas.
A lot of utilities are starting to look at large scale storage projects for the purposes of smoothing out demand spikes and addressing reliability issues.
You won't make the coin you're making now but the benefits and work life balance will make up for some of the lost revenue. You also may be able to work out of a satellite office that will put you closer to the mountains and allow a lower cost of housing.
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11-30-2016, 02:49 PM #27Registered User
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11-30-2016, 02:52 PM #28Registered User
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That is a lot of money for a 30-year old. And I can totally relate to the notion to suck it up for 10 years and get out wealthy. The flip side is that 10 years is a long time to do something you don't enjoy, and you wouldn't be running through the trouble of an alias and posing this question to the ignorant masses if that 10-year stretch seemed like white collar prison to a death row inmate.
And the ascendancy of Trump has also brought in an uptick in donations to the non-profit sector. There's no need to be in a rush, but put your resume together and start poking around.
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11-30-2016, 03:00 PM #29Funky But Chic
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I'm a customer of these guys: https://enphase.com/en-us we have their microinverters and management software, we don't have their storage products because we have net metering (i.e. the meter runs backwards when more power is being generated than is being used) and a generator so we don't really need storage at this point but most places don't have net metering. I'm impressed with the stuff of theirs I use, you might check them out.
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11-30-2016, 03:16 PM #30
First, an ad/mktg guy looking to change in order to benefit the world? Shit, what's the world coming to...
I don't know what your comfort level is, earning requirements, or your propensity for risk but, here's a start-up company that, in my opinion, needs a strong marketing person who can grasp complex engineering concepts and convert that into semi-lay discussion terms. They're located in Liberty Lake, WA, adjacent to the Idaho border just east of Spokane.
I'm not sure they could pay much but the upside could be huge with significant stock options. They started with the concept of developing an electrically powered jet engine and fixed wing drone. However, due to myriad challenges and regulatory approvals, they've pivoted to their secret sauce of advanced battery technology, not unlike TSLA but, purportedly, a stronger technology. Flying is a longer-term goal but not currently on the table. If you're seriously interested, PM me and I will get you in touch with them. Here's their website and below is their elevator speech....Well, the video is protected but you can hit the link to see it.
http://www.electrijet.com/
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11-30-2016, 05:01 PM #31
As someone who has worked in renewables for 8 years. We don't give a fuck about trump.
The levelized cost of energy is to a point where wind almost has parity with fossil fuels, and the subsidies are already ramping down for a 2020 cessation.
I personally manage the control and data aquisition systems for 40 sites, and I'm scheduled to commision at least 6 more a year for the next 4 years. We are closing deals left and right. Once bulk storage systems meet the needs of the grid, iit will be a game changer.Training for Alpental
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11-30-2016, 05:39 PM #32
I think you misunderstand. We're mostly an internet technology and product development company. It's far from soul sucking anymore than most jobs are. Soul sucking is grinding it out for some corporation and barely getting paid.
Heh. Actually, in truth we can thank Google, Facebook and Yahoo for the click-baiting of the internet. If so inclined, those three companies could kill off 80% of it overnight, maybe more. But they're making money so they won't. We're just a little company along for the ride and will follow the market in whichever direction it heads.
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11-30-2016, 05:47 PM #33
That's good news, and I was just being pessimistic... I certainly hope the renewable/sustainable energy landscape is about to explode, because I'm a full supporter of using that over fossil fuels. It's just that some of the ideas and policies I've heard Trump spew over the last 18 months are downright concerning and scary.
And OP, I'm pretty sure I know who you are... just go start your own company like you mentioned a couple of years back. It's a lot more fulfilling, and you'll enjoy life WAY more than you do now. Your travel schedule is ridiculous, I can't believe you haven't completely burned out already.
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11-30-2016, 06:26 PM #34Registered User
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Check out green startup incubators. Here's an example of one: http://greentownlabs.com
Go to the networking events, get to know the founders. Eventually one of the member companies will raise some $$$ and need consulting help.
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11-30-2016, 07:04 PM #35Hudge
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I quit being a ski bum to walk this track. Don't quit your day job to find a "sustainability" job. Stick with what you know, and take your skills to a sustainable company or industry that you want to work in.
The best thing you can do is carve out a niche for yourself in your current company, where you know what their pain points on environmental impact are. Work from within to show the benefits, and make a name for yourself as the sustainability guy, don't expect to parachute into some company and be the sustainability savior. Its not going to happen. You have to know the industry.
Renewable energy needs advertising too. With a republican dominated congress and Trump in the white house, renewable energy is going to need to get to work on drumming up good PR fast. Most people have no idea that there are more people working in RE than in coal in the US right now, or that the price has fallen 80% since 2008, or many other things about the industry. Don't want to do RE? Other companies like Unilever, Starbucks, Patagonia, etc, etc all have their sustainability stuff at the forefront of the marketing campaigns and brand identity. The job market for jobs with "sustainability" in the title is pretty small, and you aren't likely to make the same kind of income. Jobs in sustainable companies are out there, but they have the same job titles as every other company.
Don't get a sustainability degree and expect to work in RE, or become a chief sustainability officer over night. If you really want to work in renewable energy right now, you need to either be an engineer or a finance guy, or an installer making ~$18 an hour.
This is my field, and the job market is a bitch. For more, check out greenbiz.com, triplepundit.com. Look up Shannon Houde (who will tell you to network!) and Ellen Weinreb. Both are sustainable job recruiters. PM if you want more information about my experience in the field.
I haven't read any of the other stuff in the thread yet.
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11-30-2016, 07:06 PM #36Hudge
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Do you have a masters in Electrical or mechanical engineering? Ooops, your resume just went in the trash. If it isn't from a top school and followed by experience, you probably didn't make it past the ATS at TSLA. I've got a friend who works there. Female engineer, masters in engineering, worked at Volkswagen making their trucks drive themselves for a few years. Thats the background that gets you in at TSLA.
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11-30-2016, 07:08 PM #37Hudge
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11-30-2016, 07:12 PM #38Hudge
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11-30-2016, 07:20 PM #39Hudge
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If you want to learn more about renewable energy, read Greentechmedia.com, utilitydive.com, and anything by David Roberts at Grist.org (old stuff) or Vox.com (new stuff). Reading him will do a lot to get you up to speed on the industry. But again, its a tough nut to crack. Also, if you are the podcasting type- Greentech Media has a great podcast called "The Energy Gang". Good way to start to understand the business quickly.
For a good reading list, look up creating Climate Wealth by Jigar Shaw, anything by Hunter or Amory Lovins, read Ray Anderson (former CEO of Interface carpets-passed away now), and Natural Capitalism.
I don't mean to rain on your parade, but my experience has been challenging, and so I'm trying to help you skip that part and learn from my suffering. PM if you want to talk about it.Last edited by Edgnar; 11-30-2016 at 07:33 PM.
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11-30-2016, 08:19 PM #40glocal
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I just read about some guys who figured out that if they encapsulate nuclear waste in zirconium it emits an electrical charge. They're thinking drone and satellite power for starters. I thought that was a hell of a leap.
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11-30-2016, 08:33 PM #41
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11-30-2016, 09:02 PM #42
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11-30-2016, 09:19 PM #43Registered User
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Y'all been trolled by this douche. Obvious
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11-30-2016, 09:33 PM #44Funky But Chic
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11-30-2016, 09:52 PM #45
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11-30-2016, 10:00 PM #46Registered User
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Yet Another Career Thread- Moving Towards Sustainability, Renewable Energy, etc
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11-30-2016, 10:05 PM #47Funky But Chic
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Fine, it's the world's most boring troll.
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11-30-2016, 10:07 PM #48
some jelly redneck
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11-30-2016, 10:08 PM #49
Just catching up on this 'troll.' Agree with many above that the susty and RE industries don't give a F about Trump. I've seen a redoubling of commitment since the election among my clients. Original alias poster, PM me for my LinkedIn profile. Happy to introduce you to anyone in my network. I've been in sustainability consulting for ~15 years, have a lot of good connections (some stronger than others).
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11-30-2016, 10:24 PM #50Registered User
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^^^yeah yeah yeah
Bawhaha I make more that all y'all
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