Charles asks…
an electrical engineering can work on renewable energy?
I want to know if electrical engineering is the right choose to work on renewable energy like bio-diesel.biomass or hybrid technology also I want to know if an electrical engineer could lose his job when he become older for instance computer science company hired younger people is the same with electrical careers? thanks
The Expert answers:
An engineering background would be quite useful for renewable energies, quite useful for most things in general. Most engineering programs have a general engineering requirement where the students spend one to two years studying all the engineering fields before specializing so an electrical engineer would have sufficient chemical and mechanical engineering background to be useful in bio-diesel and biomass as well as be suited for the electronic controls inherent in all modern processes. Naturally, a hybrid would have a large electrical component that the EE would be useful for.
It’s illegal for a company to age discriminate but it is true that as one gets older and better paid, one’s liquidity on the labour market is reduced. However, many companies value experience and for good reason. Without some experience in a group, one’s bound to constantly repeat the same mistakes over and over again.
The risk of loosing one’s job and then finding it difficult to be re-employed is common no matter what the field and often if a company wants to take a risk on a prospective employee that they have not worked with before, they might as well hedge their bet by hiring somebody inexpensive such as a fresh grad.
You can take measures to ensure you remain valuable in the job market, insist that the company pay for at least one professional association membership and at least one industry conference a year. Attend the tutorial sessions and pay the extra $10 for the CEU credits so that you have something to add to your portfolio.
Above all, build up a network of contacts in the industry. It all boils down to relationships and people.
You might want to start with an English course though.
Robert asks…
I want to work with renewable energy after college. What should I major in?
I’m interested in solar power in particular, but everything is game. I’d like suggestions on appropriate majors and/or courses, and work experiences/jobs I should look out for.
Are there any universities where strides in this field are being taken/interesting research is being done?
The Expert answers:
Engineering and look for internships with the oil companies.
Michael asks…
Renewable Energy Engineering?
Hi, im 14 years old and i was wondering what engineering jobs are for Renewable Energy what is the title of the job and the salary help me please thanks 🙂
The Expert answers:
Renewable Energy is a large area covering many branches of engineering including: Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Thermal Engineering, Bio Engineering as well as others. Engineers are typically paid well, however, I caution you to go into a field that you enjoy and the pay will come later….Love you work and you don’t work a day in your life…
Check with http://RenewableEnergyEngineering.com from time to time. They have summer internships that may be of interest to you.
Thomas asks…
Why is China working on renewable energy feverishly while we are only talking about it endlessly?
Obama seems to be promising green jobs forever with nothing to show for. Inquiring mind wants to know why.
gws : are you not aware of the Chinese push for innovation drive lately?
The Expert answers:
China understands that they are a rapidly developing nation with a very large population. They also understand that India falls into this same category. They know that in the next century, if they want to continue to expand that they will need to develop renewable sources of energy. The planet’s fossil fuel supplies will decrease exponentially as the population of developed, and developing nations increase. They have no problem now using the cheap, dirty, readily available fossil fuels to expand, but they know this expansion cannot be maintained if solely dependent on fossil fuels. We Americans think very myopically, we just want to be able to fill our Hummer H2s with cheap gas without fully understanding the ramifications. As Americans we feel entitled, and therefore feel that we have a right to cheap gasoline and coal for eternity. However, reality doesn’t reflect this. Fossil fuels are limited resources, and will only become more expensive as the world’s population grows. China, Europe, and India know this, and are planning and developing accordingly. As long as Americans stay the course we stand to become fossils along with our fuels.
Ruth asks…
Are Renewable Energy companies the safest future investment?
We all know the lands are being sucked out dry consuming the earths natural resources, and hence the more scarce these resources become the more they cost to the consumer.
Technology is fast improving and if you’ve noticed as prices of solar installations are coming down as they get easier to produce. As the prices of fuel continue to increase, the jobs market continues to fail, people will gradually become less likely to afford Not to live self-sufficiently
In theory investing in Solar companies should be safe if your looking for a long term invest, or should it?
The Expert answers:
“This is a particular area which isn’t popular among investors” Whaaa? Which planet are you living on?
The problem with investing in any green technologies is that there is way too much money chasing too few productive investments. It’s hard to make any money in an environment like this. Investing in the sector as a whole doesn’t even make much sense to me because even if the technology is ultimately successful (and it’s hard to see solar power competing with fossil fuels anytime soon) there will be a huge wash-out rate among current players.
Everyone wants to make money investing in green technologies. It’s best not to invest in areas where it would be very stylish to make money.
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