Susan asks…
What jobs could i get with a degree in ‘Green energy technology’?
is it a waste of time studying a degree like this? or will it bring me fantastic job prospects in the future as countries aim to generate more of their energy via greener sources?
Or is the renewable energy industry looking for tradesmen like plumbers? or maybe skilled electrical engineers?
Any information will be fantastic…
The Expert answers:
Sort of all of the above. While studying green energy in college could lead to a job, it would be better to go for a more generally titled degree. You can still study up on green technology if that is the field you want to get into, but you want to be looking for a job with an engineering degree where you can tell people how much you learned about renewable technology in the interview–not a green energy technology degree where you can’t get an interview to get the chance to explain that it is basically an engineering degree.
And yes, the renewable energy industry is looking for tradesmen of all levels. Plumbers are used for geothermal systems in northern climates. Electricians need to plug in anything that produces or uses electricity, green or not. Electrical engineers need to figure out how to integrate new devices into a power grid. And of course it is worth mentioning that most people feel solar is not nearly as efficient as it could be–if a nobel prize is your life’s ambition, figure out how to make solar power cost-effective and you’ll probably win.
Keep specific goals like getting into green energy in the back of your mind. Whether you decide to go to college for an education or to learn a trade instead, study things that have widespread use so you are more certain to get a job with your training. Making the title of the focus of your study too narrow will make it so that fewer people will be interested in your resume–for no good reason at all. Also, you should be aware that in some political climates, “green” is a dirty word. In other situations it is your foot in the door. For that reason, it would be more ideal to have a resume that can be presented with and without an emphasis on “green”.
Steven asks…
Is ‘renewable energy technology’ too broad a degree to study in order to come out with good job prospects?
I want a career in the green energy sector but not 100% sure what side of the career i’d like to work in, eg engineer or researcher etc. So is it worth studying a degree at leceister university; ‘green energy technology’? Or is is too broad a subject to study and therefore come out with good prospects, if i were to do this course, what would my options be after graduating?
The Expert answers:
You may want to try for something more specific. One option you may want to explore is getting two degrees. One in renewable energy technology and another in something more specific. Stay away from wind b/c it is a dying industry. Solar could gather momentum quickly if there is a break through in battery technology in the near future. This is especially true because solar panel efficiency has improved greatly in the past few years. Corn ethanol is also dying, but there is still a lot of research being conducted recently to try and make ethanol from organic wasted such as lawn clippings, leaves, and lumber mill waste.
If you want a job that I believe is going to be really secure in green energy then go nuclear. Yeah I know there are a lot of problems with nuclear energy especially in the wake of Fukishima, but recent innovations in reactor technology will make it much safer and cleaner in the near future.
Examples
1. Thorium has been identified as a possible replacement for uranium as a reactor fuel. The short half life of thorium eliminates waste disposal problems.(India is building an experimental thorium reactor)
2. Liquid salt cooling systems will prevent build up of pressure in the event of a cooling system failure. This would have stopped the Chernobyl accident and reduced the damage at Fukishima.
3. Pebble bed reactors unlike the current fuel rod based reactors can’t get hot enough to melt down even if the cooling system fails. (China has built one and it is working well so far)
Mandy asks…
How much and how has renewable energy developed in recent years? and what about the future?
Is it a 100% guarantee there’ll be tons of jobs created in the renewable energy sector?
What are the jobs that will become of renewable energy in the future?
In the uk, does the government hope to pump more money/jobs into a certain renewable energy, such as wind, solar or geothermal? which one will employ most in the future?
All answers with any relativity to the question would be amazing, thanks if you reply 🙂
Im a uk student debating whether to study green energy technologies.
The Expert answers:
Today not UK but all country of the world is trying to use renewable energy.
BTech,MTech and Art stream student may have more demand in this field.
For more detail you can search in Google or yahoo .
Ascraftsoverseas.com
Michael asks…
Is it actually worth doing a renewable energy degree or not?
What would my job prospects be like?
The Expert answers:
Your job prospects?
Scant.
Paul asks…
What are some careers in renewable energy?
The job titles in alternative energy development that require masters degrees and such?
thanks
The Expert answers:
Farm and Home Management Advisor
agricultural business and management, general
farm and ranch management
crop production operations and management
agricultural and food products processing operations and management
agricultural supplies retailing and wholesaling
agricultural animal health
animal sciences, general
Farmer
agricultural production workers and managers, general
agricultural animal breeding and genetics
crop production operations and management
Food Scientists and Technologists
agriculture/agricultural sciences, general
food sciences and technology
foods and nutrition science
Nursery and Greenhouse Managers
agricultural production workers and managers, general
crop production operations and management
ornamental horticulture operations and management
horticulture services operations and management, general
greenhouse operations and management
nursery operations and management
turf management
Nursery and Greenhouse Manager
horticulture science
horticulture services operations and management, general
agricultural business and management, general
botany, general
farm and ranch management
greenhouse operations and management
ornamental horticulture operations and management
ENVIRONMENT
Environmental Compliance Inspector
agricultural and food products processing operations and management
agricultural supplies retailing and wholesaling
plant sciences, general
food sciences and technology
plant protection (pest management)
environmental and pollution control technology/technician
Environmental Science Technician
environmental and pollution control technology/technician
chemical technology/technician
Fish and Game Warden
natural resources law enforcement and protective services
fish/game management
wildlife and wildlands management
fishing and fisheries sciences and management
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