CPD highly recommends joining professional associations in your areas of interest. The student rate for WCS is $50/year, and provides access to news, job and internship postings, mentorship, professional development opportunities, volunteer opportunities, book club, and information on conferences, scholarships, and webinars.
From the WCS website:
Founded in 2011, Women in Cleantech & Sustainability is a nonprofit 501(c)6 organization made up of more than 5,000 professional women and men building the green economy. Our members range from students and entry-level professionals to Founders, C-Suite executives, and investors. Lisa Ann Pinkerton founded Women in Cleantech & Sustainability in 2011, to create a Bay Area community to give women a sisterhood to thrive in and spotlight the remarkable women (and men) whose work is building our future green economy.
By 2013, Women in Cleantech & Sustainability was officially established as a nonprofit 501(c)6 organization, and a board formed to grow the organization beyond its early stages. In 2014, the first WCS Talks was held. The TED-style conference established a top-tier stage for women to share their professional stories, career tips, and industry expertise.
In 2016, the Jobs Board and Mentorship programs were established to further foster Women in Cleantech & Sustainability members on their career paths. In 2018, WCS Talks held the first female-focused pitch competition for early-stage startups at WCS Talks.
Today, Women in Cleantech & Sustainability is home to over 5,000 community members internationally, with local chapters in the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles. Our members consist of all genders and range from students and entry-level professionals, to founders, C-Suite executives, and investors.
Women in Cleantech & Sustainability aims to meet once a month to network and learn the latest industry developments, as well as to attain new business and personal skills from speakers and panelists. Topics covered include renewable energy (solar, wind biofuel, etc), water, smart grid, biomass, carbon reduction, sustainable transportation, energy efficiency, sustainability, green buildings, and many other technologies that aim to make our world a cleaner, more sustainable place.