Zemlia
Residency
Program
The Zemlia Residency Program is our response to the growing mismatch between the increasing number of professionals seeking to transition into the climate sector and the scarcity of available opportunities.
With over 100,000 clean-energy job openings in the U.S. and a community like Work On Climate, which has grown to 20,000+ members, the demand for entry into the climate workforce is evident.
Yet, the job market remains tough, with tons of layoffs across the board and job searches that take several months and are grueling. This residency program aims to bridge this gap by providing professionals with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in climate work while contributing meaningfully to Zemlia's vision of a sustainable future. Zemlia is an early stage startup with a big and bold vision, and building it is going to take a village!
This is currently an unpaid opportunity: an exchange of skills and work for experience and contribution to our vision. We are not (yet!) in a position to hire a full team or promise that any of our residents will be able to stay on as staff afterwards. We hope to do so in the future and are actively working on it.
From its inception, Zemlia has been a community-driven endeavor, built on the collective efforts of volunteers passionate about sustainability, with as many as 30 volunteers contributing in various ways to it through ideas, projects, feedback and mentorship. This residency is a formalized way of people to get credit for all their contributions to the project, gain experience working on real world problems in climate, without making a long term commitment.
Program Description:
The Zemlia Residency Program is an opportunity for professionals looking to transition into the climate sector and contribute to building a more sustainable future, or are looking for a way to contribute their skills/experience to climate and sustainability without leaving their full time jobs. Over their tenure, residents will gain hands-on experience working on real projects at Zemlia. Our program offers a chance to immerse yourself in the world of climate tech, develop new skills or old skills with a climate lens, and make a meaningful impact on our mutual journey toward sustainability.
As a Zemlia resident, you will have a real job title and work closely with our team to drive initiatives that align with both your skillset, career interest and our mission. This residency aimed at helping you “dip your toes” into the climate tech industry, helping you build a stronger portfolio and (hopefully) transition smoothly into your desired career path.
We acknowledge that unpaid internships in the corporate world are often exploitative and problematic on many levels, particularly regarding accessibility and equity. Our Residency Program is designed with a different approach. While the residency is currently an unpaid program, it is structured to provide significant value in terms of skill development, networking, and portfolio enhancement, making it a mutually beneficial experience for both the participants and our organization. We aim to support our residents in their career transition and ensure that their contributions are meaningful and aligned with their professional goals.
Flexibility: The program is designed to be flexible, accommodating the needs of professionals who may have other commitments. This flexibility ensures that individuals from diverse backgrounds, including those who might not afford full-time unpaid work, can participate. Though formally we would prefer at least a 3 month, 5-10 hour/week commitment to ensure sufficient time to devote to a project that would illustrate enough skill to be a good resume/portfolio builder - we can be flexible to accommodate a different format.
Custom fit: As you can see from the program description, it is open to whatever the resident needs. Tell us what skills you bring, and what you want to work on and most likely we will be able to find a way to work that into our roadmap at Zemlia!
Some sample projects a resident could propose are (but not limited to):
craft a communications campaign and test it out with some initial users
build out part of an initial MVP
participate in doing user interviews
conduct research or data analysis
write content related to individual action for sustainability
We understand that taking a 3 month unpaid opportunity is not for everyone, and we hope that we will be able to offer a paid version of this program in the future!
Resident Position Overview:
Duration: Prefer a minimum 3 month commitment, at least 5-10 hours a week (but can be flexible)
Location: Remote / Hybrid (depending on where you are located)
Deadline: Applications are always open, and will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Process: Fill in the application. If we think you’d be a good fit, we will invite you for a zoom call with a member of the team, or you will be asked to record answers to a few questions via video. If everything goes well, you’re likely to be able to start the residency ASAP!
Responsibilities:
Collaborate with the Zemlia team to contribute to ongoing projects and initiatives.
Apply your unique skills and expertise to drive innovation and progress in our sustainability roadmap, dashboard, community engagement, or AI development - or a new project that you spearhead!
Participate in regular meetings to align with the team's goals and objectives.
Engage with our community members to gather feedback and insights that inform our strategies.
Contribute to the creation and dissemination of content that promotes our vision and mission.
Qualifications:
A strong interest in sustainability, climate tech, and data-driven decision-making.
Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
Ability to work independently and take initiative on projects.
Commitment to contributing positively to Zemlia's mission and vision.
Currently open only to individuals with work authorization in the US.
Benefits:
Gain valuable experience in the climate tech industry and contribute to a startup's growth.
Work on meaningful projects that have a direct impact on sustainability.
Build a strong portfolio piece and enhance your career prospects in the climate sector.
Become part of a passionate community dedicated to making a difference.
Being showcased as a Zemlia resident through social/professional channels, e.g. our website, LinkedIn, Climate Vine, etc.
If you think this is a good fit for your career journey and see the benefit in helping build a better future, join us!
Prior Residents
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Cory Anderson
“Zemlia was a wonderful framework for me to dive into topics I was already interested in. I uncovered subjects I had a deeper passion for and met some awesome people!”
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Ting Waymouth
"It was a pleasure being on the Zemlia team and getting to flex creative and research muscles in areas I could geek out on, in a supportive environment. I learned a great deal and was able to have fun while doing so."
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Ali Solomon
“In Zemlia I found a group of smart, goofy, passionate people who are dedicated to making real change in the world. It was a privilege to do my small part to help bring their vision to life. Thanks, Ania and team!"
FAQs
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The program is open to professionals from all backgrounds and skill sets, with a willingness to learn and adapt to new challenges!
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The program is designed as a 3-month experience to ensure that participants can fully immerse themselves in the climate sector and contribute meaningfully to a project. However, we understand that individual circumstances may vary, and we are open to discussing other options!
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We suggest a commitment of 10 hours per week to ensure that residents an engage deeply with their projects and gain meaningful experience. However, we recognize that flexibility is important, and we are willing to discuss other time commitments!
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The residency is unpaid. However, it offers valuable experience, skill development, and networking opportunities in the climate tech industry. We are actively searching for opportunities for funding support for this program!
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You can apply anytime by visiting our website and filling out the application form. We encourage you to include details about your professional background, skills, and why you are interested in the program.