Q & A: Kassie Murch of Green Jobs Explained

It can seem pretty overwhelming to navigate the world of green jobs in Maine. So, we sat down with Kassie Murch of Maine Public's @GreenJobsExplained to break down everything you need to know about sustainable careers. 

Q: How did you get to where you are now – running the Green Jobs Explained Instagram account for Maine Public? 

I went to Husson University for my degree in video production and was simultaneously working at UMaine, doing work video work for their athletic department. 

I graduated in 2022 and did freelance work for weddings and events, trying different jobs and seeing what I liked to do. That lead me to my job at Maine Public, which is a two-year grant-funded position. To be honest, I had no background in green jobs, but it was always something I thought was important. It's been great to combine that interest with being creative and telling stories.  

Q: What are some of the most in-demand green jobs in Maine right now? What do you need to be successful in those careers? 

Electricians! They are very needed right now, and that need grows every year. Being team-oriented for this job is important; you need to be willing to work with others. If you like to understand how things work, and like working with your hands, this is could be a great path for you. 

Similarly, the electric vehicle (EV) industry is growing a lot. Electrician jobs could translate to this field: you could work as a mechanic or install charging stations. If you like sales and marketing, you could be an EV salesperson. 

Environmental educator positions are also in demand – this is a great option if you like working with students and conducting outreach.  

Q: What would you say to someone curious about working in a green industry, but doesn’t know where to start? 

Start where you are. Pick something that interests you. What do you like to learn about? Energy, conservation, waste management? There are so many different kinds of jobs in each sector – and you don’t have to go to college for many of them. 

And don’t forget soft skills (personality traits that can help you succeed in your job: creativity, time management, communication, etc.).  

Finally, don’t be afraid to get involved. 

Q: What are some jobs that folks may not always associate as being “green?”

Jobs in accounting, marketing, communications, videography or law, for example. You could work in any of these areas for a clean/green organization!  

Construction and weatherization of buildings also come to mind. 

Q: Do you need a bachelor’s, or a master’s degree, to pursue a green job? 

Nope. Many green jobs only require a high school diploma! Electricians, one of the most in-demand green jobs, are a good example. Same goes for solar and wind.  

And, in many clean energy industries, a company will take you on as an apprentice, train you (and pay you!) and then hire you on permanently after your training. For example, ReVision Energy has a full apprenticeship program. College isn’t always the necessary route.  

Q: What are some of the top resources readers should check out if they want to learn more about green jobs? 

There are many green job boards, like the ones at the Mitchell Center, the Maine Land Trust Network, and Maine Climate Corps, to name a few.

Social media is also a great way to learn more about green jobs and to even network with people in industries you’re curious about. In-person events are great as well. (For a list of youth-centric event calendars, visit the Maine Climate Events section of our website.)

Kassie Murch is a Social Video Specialist at Maine Public.