The Deep End

Green Jobs: Environmental Fantasy or Tomorrow's Common Reality? Part 5

While there are plenty of reasons to be hopeful that a green-jobs revolution will materialize in America, there are also still a number of big obstacles that could stop any progress towards prosperous sustainability. The challenge might be even greater than going to the moon. Despite the uncertainties, though, many opportunities exist right now for anyone hoping to have a career in renewable energy and clean technology. Several U.S. cities are home to burgeoning green industries, and new environmental training programs are sprouting up all over the place. So, what will the future be?

Green Jobs: Environmental Fantasy or Tomorrow's Common Reality? Part 4

Americans don't like to lose, but global competition in the renewable energy sector is fierce. China now leads the clean technology race. And with so much uncertainty about the fate of domestic manufacturing and the coming worker shortage in the energy utility sector, the prospect for a green-job revolution seems to hang in the balance. Will America rise to the challenge and use it to regain a leadership position?

Green Jobs: Environmental Fantasy or Tomorrow's Common Reality? Part 3

If money makes the world go ’round, then creating a green economy will require lots of it. Governments and private investors have already contributed a lot of cash to the cause of environmental technology and green-job creation—with mixed results. But with sustainability driving so much future planning, there’s likely much more to come.

Green Jobs: Environmental Fantasy or Tomorrow's Common Reality? Part 2

Pride for country is a hallmark of American culture. So is the desire for independence, security and good health. Each of these U.S. values may provide substantial momentum toward environmental sustainability, along with green jobs in renewable energy and other clean technologies.

Green Jobs: Environmental Fantasy or Tomorrow's Common Reality? Part 1

There is a whole lot of confusion and uncertainty surrounding the vision of millions of green jobs being created in America. It hasn’t helped that renewable energy and other clean technologies are so closely linked with the need to stop climate change. In fact, once you get beyond the fear of global warming, there are many other forces contributing to the development of a sustainable future and the environmental careers that could come with it. So, just what are the prospects for the green jobs that so many promise?

Career College Scapegoating Keeps Student Potential in Detention

Something is wrong in the world of post-secondary learning. If you’ve been paying attention to mainstream media outlets or well-publicized hearings in Washington, D.C. lately, you probably know where the blame is being placed. For-profit institutions of higher education—also known as proprietary career colleges, technical institutes and business universities—are under the spotlight due to the shameful practices of a few schools. But lost amidst all the lambasting of the entire for-profit college sector is any meaningful acknowledgment that many traditional colleges and universities are also exhibiting disgraceful conduct and questionable student outcomes. Are journalists and lawmakers missing the bigger picture?

Does the future of the golf industry lie in "green" golf courses?

Could a cure to the deadly Augusta Syndrome go hand-in-hand with increasing the sustainability of golf courses, and therefore, the golf industry? Golf’s long-term economic, social and environmental sustainability may lie in creating more “green” golf courses that don’t adhere to the blade-perfect perfection of Augusta, the home of the annual Masters tournament.

Why it can be so dreadfully difficult to make good decisions about your college education

Everyone knows it’s good to have lots of options. But, what if everybody is wrong? What if our assumption that more choice is always better is actually doing us harm? A growing body of research suggests that our ability to make decisions is damaged when the number of available choices exceeds more than a simple handful. If you’re trying to choose a salad dressing, that might be no big deal. But what if you have a life-altering decision to make? Few occasions feel as hugely important as choosing a college and course of study. The stress caused by trying to choose the “right” school or career from an endless sea of options can be paralyzing, or worse.

Why I left a big university for a shot at social sanity

Universities promise the chance to meet new people, make lifelong friends and learn wonderful things in an environment that supports everyone. Living on campus is supposed to bring memorable good times. It’s true—college dormitories are great if you want to “sow some wild oats.” But what if you’d rather just eat the boring variety while you study? What if you’re painfully shy? One thing is certain: dorms do provide unforgettable experiences.

Why biotechnology will likely dominate the 21st century

A cure for aging? It's a long shot. But with the incredible advancements already being made in the field of biotechnology, almost anything seems possible. Within the next few decades, society may be radically transformed by our awesome power to manipulate plants, humans, and many other biological systems. This means exciting new career opportunities for those brave enough to enter a sector that will bring plenty of controversy and ethical debate. Biotech will come to impact just about everybody, making it impossible to ignore. It will need smart, daring and responsible people of integrity. Are you game?