Getting a job with an under-recognized diploma?

I recently earned a diploma from this relatively new program called Alternative Energy Technology. Here in Edmonton, it's pretty common to run into "climate deniers" or people who will fight you over why they think renewables are stupid since this is the land of the Oilers.

The bigger issue is that my diploma isn't really recognized by others and renewable tech is just starting to kick off. I want to stick around for the boom but this field's job market is too small at the moment. I think that I'm going to have to work with a really small local company due to how new it is here, which I am OK with, but how do I even get my foot in the door when electricians or engineers are much more familiar?

Side question: how do I go about "networking" and meeting people for jobs? It seems really strange for me to befriend people with the agenda of getting a job.

Sorry if this sounds stupid, I just graduated and lack life experience; this is my first time dealing with actual professional jobs.