Green Collar Careers Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Job search burnout is real...

And it's one of the most undertalked challenges facing professionals trying to break into environmental and climate work.

In this episode I sit down for the second time with Lauren Celano, CEO of Propel Careers, for a conversation about what burnout actually looks like, how to catch it early, and the practical strategies that help people stay grounded and keep moving when the search feels like it's going nowhere.

Lauren has coached thousands of professionals through career transitions and brings a level of honesty and tactical clarity to this conversation that most career advice completely misses.

We get into how to build your target organization list using conference websites and venture capital firm portfolios, why warm outreach beats cold applications every time, how to use LinkedIn as a living portfolio rather than a static resume, and why accumulating small daily victories is the most underrated way to rebuild momentum when you're down.

If you've been applying and not hearing back, or just feeling worn down by the process, this one is for you.

🗺️ Get the Green Pivot Map - FreeFeeling pulled toward environmental or climate work but not sure where to start? I created a simple 90-day framework to help you reposition your existing skills and take intentional steps toward a career that actually fits.

Grab your free copy at josealmanzaresq.com or message me "PIVOT" on LinkedIn.

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Introduction02:00 What is job search burnout and how does it show up07:00 Why our careers are tied to our sense of identity and value09:00 Strategies to stay resilient during a long search13:00 The importance of tracking your wins and progress15:00 How to build a targeted organization list using conference websites23:00 Using venture capital firm portfolios to find hidden employers28:00 Outreach strategies once you have your target list32:00 How to use your LinkedIn summary section effectively35:00 Posting content to stay visible and build momentum37:00 Accumulating small victories to beat burnout40:00 Volunteering and community involvement as momentum builders43:00 Writing your ideal job description as a clarity exercise48:00 Final words

🔗 Connect with Lauren!💼 LinkedIn: /laurencelano/🎙️ Podcast: Propelling Careers

🔗 Connect with Jose!💼 LinkedIn: /jose-almanzar-esq📷 Instagram: @jose_environmental_attorney🔗 Website: josealmanzaresq.com

🎵 Music Credit - Kwae:📷 Instagram: @kwaemusic

🎨 Logo Credit - Leo:📷 Instagram: @logic9uy_art

🎙️ About Green Collar CareersGreen Collar Careers is a podcast and newsletter for professionals who feel pulled toward environmental or climate work but aren't sure how to make the move. Each episode features honest conversations with people who have built meaningful careers in this space and the practical lessons they learned along the way. Hosted by Jose Almanzar, environmental attorney and former environmental scientist.

🔎 Find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

📩 Subscribe to the newsletter at josealmanzaresq.com

📢 DISCLAIMER: Nothing in this podcast constitutes legal advice. This podcast is not attorney advertising. Nothing said in this podcast is endorsed by the podcast host, their guests, or their employers. The views expressed by the podcast host and their guests are their own and do not reflect the opinions of their employers. By listening to this podcast, the listener is not entering into an attorney-client relationship or any other relationship with the host or their guests.

What if the green career you're looking for isn't a specific job title...but a mindset you bring to any role?

In this episode I sit down with Pete Rose, Director of Stakeholder Relations at Hydro-Quebec, North America's largest producer of renewable energy, for a conversation about his journey from UNICEF and the Government of Quebec to the forefront of the clean energy transition.

Pete brings a perspective you don't often hear in green career conversations - that diverse, non-linear experience isn't a liability, it's exactly what the sustainability space needs. We get into the Champlain-Hudson Power Express Project, what Hydro-Quebec actually does, how a $40 million Green Economy Fund gets built and deployed, and why Pete believes that with the right mindset, any job can be a green job.

Oh! And we find out whether Pete is a movie buff, an SNL fanatic, or both.

If you've ever felt like your background doesn't fit neatly into the green economy, this episode will change how you think about that.

🗺️ Get the Green Pivot Map - FreeFeeling pulled toward environmental or climate work but not sure where to start? I created a simple 90-day framework to help you reposition your existing skills and take intentional steps toward a career that actually fits.

Grab your free copy at josealmanzaresq.com or message me "PIVOT" on LinkedIn.

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Introduction01:09 The Pete Rose name03:13 Career background07:05 Champlain-Hudson Power Express Project10:18 What does Hydro-Quebec do?13:04 What does Pete do at Hydro-Quebec?15:14 Educational and experience background21:10 The $40 million Green Economy Fund29:10 Why anything can be a green job35:54 Advice for young professionals45:25 Advice for experienced professionals48:46 Resources49:00 Final words53:14 Pete the movie and SNL buff

🔗 Connect with Pete!💼 LinkedIn: /peter-rose-003b8/

🔗 Connect with Jose!💼 LinkedIn: /jose-almanzar-esq📷 Instagram: @jose_environmental_attorney🔗 Website: josealmanzaresq.com

🎵 Music Credit - Kwae:📷 Instagram: @kwaemusic

🎨 Logo Credit - Leo:📷 Instagram: @logic9uy_art

🎙️ About Green Collar CareersGreen Collar Careers is a podcast and newsletter for professionals who feel pulled toward environmental or climate work but aren't sure how to make the move. Each episode features honest conversations with people who have built meaningful careers in this space and the practical lessons they learned along the way. Hosted by Jose Almanzar, environmental attorney and former environmental scientist.

🔎 Find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

📩 Subscribe to the newsletter at josealmanzaresq.com

📢 DISCLAIMER: Nothing in this podcast constitutes legal advice. This podcast is not attorney advertising. Nothing said in this podcast is endorsed by the podcast host, their guests, or their employers. The views expressed by the podcast host and their guests are their own and do not reflect the opinions of their employers. By listening to this podcast, the listener is not entering into an attorney-client relationship or any other relationship with the host or their guests.

What does it look like to build a legal career entirely around ESG and corporate sustainability? And how do you get there when your path isn't straight?

In this episode I sit down with Christine Uri, Chief Legal Officer, Chief Sustainability Officer, and one of LinkedIn's Top 100 Voices in ESG, for a conversation about her non-linear path to law, what it actually means to help companies navigate the legal risks of climate change, and the practical strategies green job seekers need to hear.

Christine has spent 15+ years advising startups, tech companies, nonprofits, and global enterprises on corporate sustainability strategy, ESG legal risk, and everything in between. She's one of the most prolific voices in this space and brings a level of clarity and candor that cuts through the noise.

We get into her less-than-direct path to the practice of law, what ESG work actually looks like day to day, how she helps companies turn sustainability commitments into real strategy, and why purposeful action matters more than the perfect plan.

If you're a lawyer or legal professional wondering whether there's a path into ESG and sustainability work, this one is essential listening.

🗺️ Get the Green Pivot Map - FreeFeeling pulled toward environmental or climate work but not sure where to start? I created a simple 90-day framework to help you reposition your existing skills and take intentional steps toward a career that actually fits.

Grab your free copy at josealmanzaresq.com or message me "PIVOT" on LinkedIn.

🔗 Connect with Christine!💼 LinkedIn: /in/christineuri/

🔗 Connect with Jose!💼 LinkedIn: /jose-almanzar-esq📷 Instagram: @jose_environmental_attorney🔗 Website: josealmanzaresq.com

🎵 Music Credit - Kwae:📷 Instagram: @kwaemusic

🎨 Logo Credit - Leo:📷 Instagram: @logic9uy_art

🎙️ About Green Collar CareersGreen Collar Careers is a podcast and newsletter for professionals who feel pulled toward environmental or climate work but aren't sure how to make the move. Each episode features honest conversations with people who have built meaningful careers in this space and the practical lessons they learned along the way. Hosted by Jose Almanzar, environmental attorney and former environmental scientist.

🔎 Find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.📩 Subscribe to the newsletter at josealmanzaresq.com

📢 DISCLAIMER: Nothing in this podcast constitutes legal advice. This podcast is not attorney advertising. Nothing said in this podcast is endorsed by the podcast host, their guests, or their employers. The views expressed by the podcast host and their guests are their own and do not reflect the opinions of their employers. By listening to this podcast, the listener is not entering into an attorney-client relationship or any other relationship with the host or their guests.

What does a 25-year career in environmental consulting actually look like? And what does it take to break in?

In this episode I sit down with Mark Johnson, Senior Principal at Geosyntec Consultants, for a conversation about what environmental engineers actually do, why the environmental career field is more diverse than most people realize, and what he looks for when interviewing candidates for his firm.

Mark has spent over two decades specializing in environmental management, due diligence, and site investigations across commercial, industrial, and public sector industries. He brings a level of experience and candor that you don't often hear in career conversations.

We get into his educational and professional background, what drew him to environmental work, the intangible qualities that separate candidates who get hired from those who don't, and his "Goldilocks Approach" to finding the right fit in this field, which is worth the listen alone.

If you're considering environmental engineering or consulting as a career path, this is the episode to start with.

🗺️ Get the Green Pivot Map - FreeFeeling pulled toward environmental or climate work but not sure where to start? I created a simple 90-day framework to help you reposition your existing skills and take intentional steps toward a career that actually fits.

Grab your free copy at josealmanzaresq.com or message me "PIVOT" on LinkedIn.

🔗 Connect with Mark!💼 LinkedIn: Mark Johnson, PE — Geosyntec Consultants

🔗 Connect with Jose!💼 LinkedIn: /jose-almanzar-esq📷 Instagram: @jose_environmental_attorney

🔗 Website: josealmanzaresq.com

🎵 Music Credit - Kwae:📷 Instagram: @kwaemusic

🎨 Logo Credit - Leo:📷 Instagram: @logic9uy_art

🎙️ About Green Collar CareersGreen Collar Careers is a podcast and newsletter for professionals who feel pulled toward environmental or climate work but aren't sure how to make the move. Each episode features honest conversations with people who have built meaningful careers in this space and the practical lessons they learned along the way. Hosted by Jose Almanzar, environmental attorney and former environmental scientist.

🔎 Find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

📩 Subscribe to the newsletter at josealmanzaresq.com

📢 DISCLAIMER: Nothing in this podcast constitutes legal advice. This podcast is not attorney advertising. Nothing said in this podcast is endorsed by the podcast host, their guests, or their employers. The views expressed by the podcast host and their guests are their own and do not reflect the opinions of their employers. By listening to this podcast, the listener is not entering into an attorney-client relationship or any other relationship with the host or their guests.

The environmental and climate fields are among the least racially and ethnically diverse across all disciplines. Cristina Garcia decided to do something about it.

In this episode I sit down with Cristina Garcia, founder of Latinxs in Sustainability, Queens native, and environmental engineer, for a conversation about what it actually takes to build pathways for underrepresented professionals into the green economy, why the degree alone doesn't open doors, and what she'd tell any first-generation professional who feels like this space wasn't built for them.

We get into her journey from civil engineering to environmental work after watching An Inconvenient Truth, the real barriers diverse professionals face when trying to break in, why luck shouldn't be the deciding factor in who gets a foot in the door, and the practical steps - communities, certifications, cover letters - that actually move the needle.

If you've ever felt like the green careers space wasn't meant for someone like you, this one's for you.

🗺️ Get the Green Pivot Map - FreeFeeling pulled toward environmental or climate work but not sure where to start? I created a simple 90-day framework to help you reposition your existing skills and take intentional steps toward a career that actually fits.

Grab your free copy at josealmanzaresq.com or message me "PIVOT" on LinkedIn.

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Introduction

01:00 Meet Cristina Garcia, founder of Latinxs in Sustainability

02:57 Background and educational journey

04:27 The An Inconvenient Truth moment that changed everything

11:40 Graduating with degrees but still struggling to get in

18:09 Landing at the NYC Mayor's Office of Sustainability

19:05 Why is it so hard to break into this space?21:10 The CUNY bias problem

22:54 Unpaid internships and who gets left out

25:17 Actionable advice: seek community first

27:39 Free certifications that make your resume stand out

31:22 Advice for mid-career professionals looking to pivot

36:55 Resources: Latinxs in Sustainability, Brown Girl Green, WOCCS, YPE

39:00 Final words: find your seat at your table

🔗 Connect with Cristina & Latinxs in Sustainability!💼 LinkedIn: /cristina-garcia-cem-a9bb1686/

🌱 Website: latinxsinsustainability.org

🔗 Connect with Jose!💼 LinkedIn: /jose-almanzar-esq📷 Instagram: @jose_environmental_attorney

🔗 Linktree: linktr.ee/jalmanzar

🔗 Website: josealmanzaresq.com

🎵 Music Credit - Kwae:📷 Instagram: @kwaemusic

🎨 Logo Credit - Leo:📷 Instagram: @logic9uy_art

🎙️ About Green Collar CareersGreen Collar Careers is a podcast and newsletter for professionals who feel pulled toward environmental or climate work but aren't sure how to make the move. Each episode features honest conversations with people who have built meaningful careers in this space and the practical lessons they learned along the way. Hosted by Jose Almanzar, environmental attorney and former environmental scientist.

🔎 Find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

📩 Subscribe to the newsletter at josealmanzaresq.com

📢 DISCLAIMER: Nothing in this podcast constitutes legal advice. This podcast is not attorney advertising. Nothing said in this podcast is endorsed by the podcast host, their guests, or their employers. The views expressed by the podcast host and their guests are their own and do not reflect the opinions of their employers. By listening to this podcast, the listener is not entering into an attorney-client relationship or any other relationship with the host or their guests.

What does it look like to bring sustainability into a corporate legal role - from the inside?

In this first episode of Green Collar Careers, I sit down with Kim Alcantara, Head of Legal at BetVictor, a UK-based online betting platform, for a conversation about how she built a career at the intersection of law and sustainability, what it actually looks like to incorporate environmental best practices into corporate operations, and what she'd tell anyone looking to do the same.

If you've ever wondered whether you can make an environmental impact from inside a corporate role - this one's for you.

🗺️ Get the Green Pivot Map - FreeFeeling pulled toward environmental or climate work but not sure where to start? I created a simple 90-day framework to help you reposition your existing skills and take intentional steps toward a career that actually fits.

Grab your free copy at josealmanzaresq.com or message me "PIVOT" on LinkedIn.

🔗 Connect with Kim!💼 LinkedIn: /kim-alcantara-26ab9a36/

🔗 Connect with Jose!💼 LinkedIn: /jose-almanzar-esq📷 Instagram: @jose_environmental_attorney

🔗Website: josealmanzaresq.com

🔗 Linktree: linktr.ee/jalmanzar

🎵 Music Credit - Kwae:📷 Instagram: @kwaemusic

🎨 Logo Credit - Leo:📷 Instagram: @logic9uy_art

🎙️ About Green Collar CareersGreen Collar Careers is a podcast and newsletter for professionals who feel pulled toward environmental or climate work but aren't sure how to make the move. Each episode features honest conversations with people who have built meaningful careers in this space and the practical lessons they learned along the way. Hosted by Jose Almanzar, environmental attorney and former environmental scientist.

🔎 Find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

📩 Subscribe to the newsletter at josealmanzaresq.com

📢 DISCLAIMER: Nothing in this podcast constitutes legal advice. This podcast is not attorney advertising. Nothing said in this podcast is endorsed by the podcast host, their guests, or their employers. The views expressed by the podcast host and their guests are their own and do not reflect the opinions of their employers. By listening to this podcast, the listener is not entering into an attorney-client relationship or any other relationship with the host or their guests.

Welcome to Green Collar Careers.

I'm Jose Almanzar - environmental attorney, former environmental scientist, and someone who has spent 20+ years building a career at the intersection of law, science, and purpose.

This podcast exists for one reason: too many professionals feel pulled toward environmental or climate work but don't know how to make the move without starting over. I built this to change that.

Each episode I sit down with people who have built meaningful careers in this space - attorneys, scientists, communicators, engineers, and career changers - to hear how they got there, what they learned, and what they'd tell someone just starting out.

You don't need to start over. You need to reposition.

This 5-minute clip gives you a preview of what to expect.

Subscribe so you don't miss an episode.

About Jose Almanzar:Environmental attorney at Holland & Knight LLP, former environmental scientist, and host of Green Collar Careers. Born in the Dominican Republic, raised in New York City, and committed to helping professionals find their place in the environmental and climate space.

What does sustainable real estate development actually look like from the ground up, and what does it take to build a career in green building when you didn't start with a traditional path?

In this episode I sit down with Dusten Hendrickson, real estate developer and founder of Mailbox Money Real Estate and Private Equity, for a conversation about his journey from working as a roofer to building market-affordable, sustainably designed homes and everything he learned about self-awareness, failure, and entrepreneurship along the way.

Dusten brings a refreshingly honest perspective on what it takes to integrate sustainability into real estate development, the opportunities that exist in green building right now, and what both career changers and experienced professionals need to hear if they're thinking about making a move into this space.

If you've ever wondered whether sustainability and real estate can coexist — this episode will show you what that actually looks like in practice.

🗺️ Get the Green Pivot Map - FreeFeeling pulled toward environmental or climate work but not sure where to start? I created a simple 90-day framework to help you reposition your existing skills and take intentional steps toward a career that actually fits.

Grab your free copy at josealmanzaresq.com or message me "PIVOT" on LinkedIn.

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Introduction04:10 Business background09:26 Building efficiency measures13:03 Energy efficiency measures20:21 Early childhood23:08 Educational and professional background28:27 Advice to your younger self33:10 Opportunities in green real estate36:05 Advice for experienced professionals39:53 Learning from mistakes and failure41:23 Final words of advice42:33 Parenting discussion

🔗 Connect with Dusten!💼 LinkedIn: /dusten-hendrickson/

🔗 Connect with Jose!💼 LinkedIn: /jose-almanzar-esq📷 Instagram: @jose_environmental_attorney🔗 Website: josealmanzaresq.com

🎵 Music Credit - Kwae:📷 Instagram: @kwaemusic

🎨 Logo Credit - Leo:📷 Instagram: @logic9uy_art

🎙️ About Green Collar CareersGreen Collar Careers is a podcast and newsletter for professionals who feel pulled toward environmental or climate work but aren't sure how to make the move. Each episode features honest conversations with people who have built meaningful careers in this space and the practical lessons they learned along the way. Hosted by Jose Almanzar, environmental attorney and former environmental scientist.

🔎 Find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

📩 Subscribe to the newsletter at josealmanzaresq.com

📢 DISCLAIMER: Nothing in this podcast constitutes legal advice. This podcast is not attorney advertising. Nothing said in this podcast is endorsed by the podcast host, their guests, or their employers. The views expressed by the podcast host and their guests are their own and do not reflect the opinions of their employers. By listening to this podcast, the listener is not entering into an attorney-client relationship or any other relationship with the host or their guests.

What separates the professionals who break into environmental law from those who don't? According to Marisa Blackshire, a lot of it comes down to mentorship, and knowing how to use it.

In this episode I sit down with Marisa Blackshire, Vice President of Environment & Regulatory Law at Bloom Energy, for a conversation about her journey from aspiring professional to industry leader, why flexibility in your job search opens doors you didn't know existed, and what it actually means to find, use, and become a mentor in the environmental space.

Marisa brings warmth, honesty, and hard-earned wisdom to this conversation, covering mentee etiquette, diversity in environmental law, career advice for both young and experienced professionals, and what her role at one of the leading clean energy companies in the country actually looks like day to day.

If you're trying to figure out how to get into this space and keep moving once you're in, this one is worth your full attention.

🗺️ Get the Green Pivot Map - FreeFeeling pulled toward environmental or climate work but not sure where to start? I created a simple 90-day framework to help you reposition your existing skills and take intentional steps toward a career that actually fits.

Grab your free copy at josealmanzaresq.com or message me "PIVOT" on LinkedIn.

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Introduction02:10 Marisa's childhood04:02 Early legal and environmental interests05:30 Early career and education10:52 Mentorship programs12:57 How to find a mentor20:51 Seeking a mentor22:38 Mentee etiquette26:22 Advice for young professionals29:28 Advice for experienced professionals34:12 Marisa's role at Bloom Energy40:53 Diversity in environmental law43:01 Final words

🔗 Connect with Marisa!💼 LinkedIn: /marisa-blackshire-esq/

🔗 Connect with Jose!💼 LinkedIn: /jose-almanzar-esq📷 Instagram: @jose_environmental_attorney🔗 Website: josealmanzaresq.com

🎵 Music Credit - Kwae:📷 Instagram: @kwaemusic

🎨 Logo Credit - Leo:📷 Instagram: @logic9uy_art

🎙️ About Green Collar CareersGreen Collar Careers is a podcast and newsletter for professionals who feel pulled toward environmental or climate work but aren't sure how to make the move. Each episode features honest conversations with people who have built meaningful careers in this space and the practical lessons they learned along the way. Hosted by Jose Almanzar, environmental attorney and former environmental scientist.

🔎 Find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

📩 Subscribe to the newsletter at josealmanzaresq.com

📢 DISCLAIMER: Nothing in this podcast constitutes legal advice. This podcast is not attorney advertising. Nothing said in this podcast is endorsed by the podcast host, their guests, or their employers. The views expressed by the podcast host and their guests are their own and do not reflect the opinions of their employers. By listening to this podcast, the listener is not entering into an attorney-client relationship or any other relationship with the host or their guests.

Environmental insurance is one of the most overlooked and underappreciated career paths in the green economy. It's also one of the most essential.

In this episode I sit down with Mary Gerding, Managing Director of Environmental Risk at Hylant, for a conversation about what environmental insurance actually is, how it drives the cleanup of contaminated sites, and what her journey from administrative work to industry expert looks like up close.

Mary brings a rare combination of technical knowledge and practical wisdom to this conversation, covering the skills that matter most in environmental risk management, the real challenges of the field, and what aspiring professionals need to know to break in.

If you've never considered environmental insurance as a career path, this episode will open a door you didn't know existed.

🗺️ Get the Green Pivot Map - FreeFeeling pulled toward environmental or climate work but not sure where to start? I created a simple 90-day framework to help you reposition your existing skills and take intentional steps toward a career that actually fits.

Grab your free copy at josealmanzaresq.com or message me "PIVOT" on LinkedIn.

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Introduction04:56 Environmental insurance 10106:15 Professional background: from admin to industry expert15:30 Breaking into the environmental industry25:44 Advice for seasoned professionals28:59 Final thoughts and a special movie recommendation

🔗 Connect with Mary!💼 LinkedIn: /mary-gerding-8a6b4440/

🔗 Connect with Jose!💼 LinkedIn: /jose-almanzar-esq📷 Instagram: @jose_environmental_attorney🔗 Website: josealmanzaresq.com

🎵 Music Credit - Kwae:📷 Instagram: @kwaemusic

🎨 Logo Credit - Leo:📷 Instagram: @logic9uy_art

🎙️ About Green Collar CareersGreen Collar Careers is a podcast and newsletter for professionals who feel pulled toward environmental or climate work but aren't sure how to make the move. Each episode features honest conversations with people who have built meaningful careers in this space and the practical lessons they learned along the way. Hosted by Jose Almanzar, environmental attorney and former environmental scientist.

🔎 Find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

📩 Subscribe to the newsletter at josealmanzaresq.com

📢 DISCLAIMER: Nothing in this podcast constitutes legal advice. This podcast is not attorney advertising. Nothing said in this podcast is endorsed by the podcast host, their guests, or their employers. The views expressed by the podcast host and their guests are their own and do not reflect the opinions of their employers. By listening to this podcast, the listener is not entering into an attorney-client relationship or any other relationship with the host or their guests.