subject: New And Growing Clean Energy Fields Requiring Engineers! [print this page] Even those with the slightest bit of energy awareness know the country absolutely must start investing heavily in alternatives to non-replenishable, carbon-based energy sources. One way we are starting to see this developing is in the slim, graceful wind turbines that are starting to populate the urban and rural landscapes. That's because one area that's starting to get serious attention is wind energy.
Basically, the beauty of wind energy is in its simplicity. Like the old Dutch windmills, the wind spins the turbines, which in turn powers generators to create very green, inexpensive energy. Further, there's a high utility factor to these lightweight structures; they can be seen in tremendous farms in middle America, as well as on top of New York City skyscrapers. If you need more information about engineering degrees check the internet.
Its increasing popularity can be best demonstrated by one piece of data from one of the industry's professional organizations, the American Wind Energy Association. The Association states that there are currently over 2,300 companies now in the wind energy business, and the number of new operations entering the field is increasing rapidly. One form of personnel each and every one of these companies need is wind engineers.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics defines a wind engineer as responsible for the design of underground or overhead wind farm collector systems and preparation and development of site specifications. They also analyze operations to determine reliability, performance, and compliance; create models to optimize the layout of wind farm access roads, crane pads, crane paths, collection systems, substations, switchyards, or transmission lines and provide technical support whenever needed.
As with other STEM professions, one starts becoming a wind engineer by scoring well in the math and science classes in their secondary school. From there, probably the best route is to enroll in a brick and mortar or online college for a 4-year degree specializing in mechanical, electrical/electronic and/or civil engineering. Mixing up the disciplines a bit probably wouldn't hurt.
Like many engineering specialties, the job requires continued education beyond a 4-year degree. A highly recommended career path at this point is to find regular employment and then discern what aspect of the field one wants to specialize in. From there, see if one's job will help underwrite the tuition and fees, especially at an online university. If they won't, there are plenty of organizations out there willing to provide scholarships and grants. There is an abundance of information about course online on the web.
Wind power engineering should be particularly attractive for those who feel they want to be on the cutting edge of a technological revolution. The occupation is so new that the Bureau of Labor Statistics only created a category for it in the last year and openly admits its still doing research on it all.
