Turning your paycheck green means more than just opting in for direct deposit. Although, I of course highly recommend doing so, my post today is more focused on Green Jobs. With the economy in a slump and people losing their jobs everyday, it is sometimes hard to stay positive and focused on finding that “dream job.” Now it seems so many of us have to settle for what is available and worry less about finding a career that makes us truly happy, and even then a miserable job may not even be a question. Well, today I’m writing this blog in the hopes to inspire anyone who reads it. I want you to know that things will get better and although it might not seem like it; there really is a light at the end of the tunnel. Most of my closest friends and family consider me to be an optimist, but even I understand that the reality of today is that jobs are harder than ever to find and salaries are less than expected. However, I like to say, “Things turn out best for people who make the best out of the way things turn out!” So, instead of getting down and out about the current economic situation, get up and about! View this time as an opportunity to train yourself in a new field; the “green” job field and I promise you will find success if you want it bad enough and at this point, maybe even a pioneer in the “green” field. Green jobs can be anything from an environmental consultant or engineer, a green building leader, a job in energy efficiency, organic farming and agriculture, sustainable teaching, etc. As part of the Obama administrations stimulus package, 3.5 million jobs are to be created and/or saved over the next two years, most of which are considered “green” jobs. The ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) provides $500 million to operate a system of competitive grants for training and placement in careers that “prepare workers for careers in energy efficiency and renewable energy as described in the Green Jobs Act.” Now, I know there is a lot of animosity towards the stimulus package and the money spent and “yada, yada, yada”, but I am not here to get political or take a stand on either side. I am here to let you know that there are resources available and programs that do exist to get you interested, trained and qualified for the jobs that will shape our country in the years ahead. Whether you are reading this happy at work or you stumbled across my blog endlessly searching for jobs online, I hope each of you will take a minute to visit, www.recovery.gov. This site is administered by the Recovery Board and offers information on grant money, job postings, schooling and the investments given to your state. There are resources and jobs available; you just have to find them and maybe put a little more effort into it than we’ve been used to in the past! Good Luck!