Evaluating Climate-Critical Careers
Provided by: Massachusetts Clean Energy Center|Published on: April 16, 2026
Grades: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Type: Lesson Plans
Subjects: Engineering, Career Skills
Authors: Massachusetts Clean Energy Center
Region: Global, Massachusetts
Languages: English
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- In this lesson, students will reflect on what they want out of a career and examine three climate-related careers to determine a good fit.
- Students will evaluate their own skills, values, needs, and desires, analyze profiles of a project manager, wind turbine technician, and energy auditor, and identify careers they would like to learn more about.
- Teachers can find the other lesson materials, including the presentation slides, videos, and student handouts, here under the dropdown for Lesson 10.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- The speaker in the video, who works in the geothermal sector, provides students with an important and inspirational message about continuing to learn.
- Having students evaluate what they are looking for in a career is a critical activity.
Prerequisites
- This lesson is meant to be part of the Massachusetts Climate Careers Unit; however, the previous lessons are not prerequisites for this lesson, especially if students already have an understanding of clean energy.
- Students should already be familiar with clean energy solutions and related careers.
- The Degrees podcast link is broken, but this resource is not necessary for lesson implementation.
Differentiation & Implementation
- To give additional context for the careers, students can watch interviews with project managers, wind turbine technicians, and energy auditors.
- Some students may benefit from having time to talk about their skills and values with a trusted friend or adult, as some may find it difficult to identify skills within themselves.
- Teachers can use this lesson to make connections to the Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 7, Affordable and Clean Energy, and SDG 8, Decent Work and Economic Growth.
This resource is an exploration of clean energy and climate technology careers. Two excellent videos are included that feature accounts from professionals in multiple climate careers and at multiple career stages. This resource rightly shows the breadth of expertise that is required to address climate change and how anyone can play a role. This resource is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
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