Boston-Area Energy & Sustainability Community Groups
Discover other communities in the area focused on energy, climate and sustainability topics.
Young Professionals in Energy - Boston chapter
YPE aims to facilitate the advancement of young professionals in the energy industry around the world through social, educational, and civic service-oriented events across its 40 chapters.
Key Information:
- Features a job board on the website
- Run events
- Board service/leadership team opportunity
- Membership is free and signs you up for chapter newsletters; just requires registration on the website
Net Impact Boston's mission is to connect like-minded professionals who aim to use business as a force for environmental & social impact by providing events, dialogue, and resources for companies and individuals. Net Impact is a nonprofit organization with 400 chapters worldwide.
Key Information:
- Recommend subscribing to their newsletter (free); newsletter provides info about becoming a member
- Host events, including an Annual Impact Summit
- Board service/leadership team opportunity
- Board Fellows program places Net Impact Boston members on non-profit boards for one-year fellowships
Emerging Professionals of MA (EPMA), Built Environment Plus
Built Environment Plus, formally known as the USGBC Massachusetts Chapter, is a membership-based community advocating for green buildings at the state and local level. Built Environment Plus provides green building education, networking, advocacy, and leadership opportunities for the sustainable building practitioner community and beyond. BE+ Emerging Professionals is a community of ascending professionals across the green building industry and allied fields helping drive sustainable and regenerative design, construction, and operation of the built environment. The EPMA committee provides professional support, development, and advocacy tools through active networking, monthly programming, and community events.
Key Information:
- Have a newsletter and LinkedIn group
- Committee service/leadership team opportunity
- Host events and participate in broader EPMA events
Environmental Business Council (EBC) - New England chapter
EBC New England was established in 1990 to support and foster the development of New England's environmental industry. EBC promotes the environmental and energy industries through programming, partnerships, and membership opportunities. EBC New England encompasses chapters in Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Connecticut, though many events and meetings happen virtually and in Massachusetts.
Key Information:
- EBC Membership is company-inclusive, not individual. So membership is not possible for students not working for an EBC member company. However, non-members can still participate in many events
Women-Focused Groups:
New England Women in Energy & Environment (NEWIEE) - Boston chapter
The organization was founded in 2008, when a group of women came together to exchange ideas and experiences with others in energy and environmental professions. They envisioned a place where women could easily meet others facing similar technical, career, and work-life balance questions and benefit from each other's experiences. Today, NEWIEE has more than 900 members across the region, supported by corporate and other sponsors.
Key Information:
- Features a great job board and LinkedIn group (free); paid members can access a full member directory with contact information for all members and a Career Conversations email group
- Run events and programs, including a "Ask Me Anything" event series and a wonderful Mentorship program for young professional members
- Have a Young Professionals group that meets monthly and offers some leadership opportunities
- To take advantage of all the benefits of this network, it is best to purchase an annual membership
Women Energy Network (WEN) - Boston chapter
The Women's Energy Network (WEN) is an international organization of professionals organized into regional chapters who work across the energy value chain. The organization was founded in 1994 and offers educational, networking and leadership opportunities to more than 6,000 professionals nationwide through networking events, conferences, community initiatives, social outings, and mentoring programs. WEN Boston was established in October 2017.
Key Information:
- Run events and programs
- Have a Young Professionals Committee that is focused on attracting more young professionals into the sector, particularly through partnering with universities
- Some opportunities for board service exist for young professionals (ex. Undersecretary)
- Paid members can access a full member directory with contact information for all members, a Career Center section of the website, a Speaker Database, and other professional development resources
- Membership limited to those who:
- Hold a bachelor's degree or have at least five years professional involvement in the energy industry;
- Are employed with or seeking employment at an energy company or a company/governmental entity providing services to or regulating energy companies
Women of Renewable Industries & Sustainable Energy (WRISE) - Boston chapter
Founded in 2005 as Women of Wind Energy (WoWE) and rebranded in May 2017, Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy (WRISE) is a national nonprofit with a growing presence working across the renewable energy economy with over 30 chapters and a broad purpose – to change our energy future through the actions of women.
Key Information:
- Features a great job board/listserv and LinkedIn group (free)
- Run events and programs
- To take advantage of all the benefits of this network, it is best to purchase an annual membership; they offer a student rate
Society of Women Environmental Professionals (SWEP) - MA chapter
The Society of Women Environmental Professionals (SWEP) is a national non-profit professional association of women involved or interested in environmental law, science, engineering, business, and policy. The Massachusetts chapter provides opportunities for professional development through networking, educational programming, mentoring, social events, and public service.
Key Information:
- Features a job board on their website
- Run events
- Offer a student membership rate
Other Organizations to Get Involved With:
Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC)
- Clean energy job board
- Clean Energy Internship Program (Spring & Summer)