From Guest Blogger Rachel Vickers: The Best Degrees for a Career in Renewable Energy

With countries across the globe supporting green alternatives and sustainable solutions, the green employment market is extending at dramatic rates. However, people trained and certified in this particular profession remain in scarce supply. To address this situation, colleges and universities are now providing multi- and inter-disciplinary courses related to renewable energy and tenability.

If you are fresh out of high school and planning to pursue a career in renewable energy, you should know that there are multiple relevant degree programs to consider. Each possible degree can vary in workload, difficulty, career options, and pay rates though. So, it is imperative to know the basics of each degree before actually choosing one that best fits your needs. 

Tenable Business Degree
If you wish to learn business in an entirely new approach, consider a sustainable business degree, similar to one found in Aquinas College. The coursework is streamlined towards triple bottom line, which basically revolves around the value of social, economic, and environmental funds. The degree also instills knowledge regarding ways to properly distribute renewable energy sources in a commercial facility. Students who decide to pursue this course will usually be required to accomplish programs in business, environmental studies, science, and tenable business. 

Renewable Energy Degree
If you’d rather concentrate on the science and networks involved in actual renewable energy, enlist for a renewable energy degree. There are several popular colleges offering this course including State University of New York and Oregon Institute of Technology. The degree is a four-year program that will expose students to topics ranging from environmental studies to thermodynamics. 

Renewable Energy & Agriculture
While agriculture isn’t exactly the first industry that pops into your mind when tackling renewable energy, make no mistake of its importance. Because of the vital role of plants in generating bio-energy, degrees that combine technical areas of agriculture and renewable energy are becoming increasingly popular at different institutes. For students interested in learning how to grow plants for bio-fuel and other byproducts that can be used as renewable energy, check out sustainable food and bio-energy systems courses offered at Montana State University. 

Renewable Energy & Architecture
Construction of eco-friendly buildings is on the rise, and firms all across the world are searching for the means to produce more energy-efficient houses and commercial facilities that utilize only green and renewable resources. Degrees such as a Bachelor of Architecture and Sustainability are being introduced to several colleges and institutes as we speak. These programs combine subjects, including architecture, community studies, tenability and facility management. These programs also teach students how to prepare and utilize renewable power sources for the latest green initiatives.

Overall, renewable energy degrees are an ideal career to pursue. The demand is high, yet the supply is short, hence leading to less competitive job applications and better pay. When searching for colleges to pursue your chosen degree in renewable energy, make sure that the facility is fit to provide such coursework. The quality of education you get will be imperative for future career advancement.