Career Pathways And Possibilities In Renewable Energy
Are you passionate about green energy and protecting our planet? Are you looking for a career you can be proud of that offers possibilities we arent even aware of yet? Look no further than the renewable energy industry.
You could be working in wind or solar power in no time with the right education and tools to get you set on this exciting path. Here are some of the best degrees to pursue and the career choices that may come your way.
Renewable Energy Jobs Are Booming
Luckily, renewable energy jobs are booming right now. Clean Jobs America estimated that more than 2.5 million people in the U.S. work in clean energy jobs. Energy efficiency accounted for the most jobs in that estimate, with renewable energy generation coming in as the second top employer. Solar energy workers make a large portion of current career pathways in renewable energy, but dont think the possibilities stop there more green energy jobs are coming.
Degrees Fit for Jobs in Renewable Energy
You might be wondering which degrees can provide pathways to a career in renewable energy. Here are a few options that could get your foot in the door:
Chemistry
One of the best degree choices if youre pursuing a career in renewable energy is a bachelors degree in chemistry. You might consider specializing in biochemistry, chemical engineering, bioinformatics, or forensic science. This degree usually takes four years to complete.
Biology
Sustainability
Career Possibilities
Wind Farm Development
Solar Installation
Should You Choose Clean Energy As Your Career Path
Technological innovation is growing. It provides a significant advantage to the clean energy sector in producing and utilizing renewable energy resources. In addition, the study of renewable energy is also increasing. Colleges and universities provide sustainable energy courses and degrees to choose from as their career path. These courses are now a significant part of the curriculum.
In 2017, Bill Gates addressed college graduates that the study of energy is one of the most impactful careers paths. Artificial intelligence and Bioscience are the other career paths mentioned. According to him, these career paths will make a significant impact in the future globally.
A clean energy career has different choices for you. For example, you can work in hydro energy, solar power, bioenergy, or wind energy. However, according to studies, hydro, solar, and wind have more job opportunities than other fields.
Climate change is a global concern. Sustainable energy plays a significant role in fighting this change. So, having a career in renewable energy will make a global impact on the environment. We have explored many career choices in this sector depending on your skills, experience, and interest. In addition, you have the flexibility to work in different fields.
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Renewable Energy And Management Career Outlook
There are many career directions you can take in the Renewable Energy sector. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in renewable energy are expected to grow much faster than average through 2029. Large manufacturers and heavy industries such as steel production are big energy users, so these types of companies hire their own energy managers who are knowledgeable about Renewable Energy. Others in Renewable Energy Management work for colleges and universities to improve their energy efficiencies, or for federal and state government agencies that want to conserve energy at military bases or government office buildings.
At National American University, we offer a Bachelors degree in Energy Management that will help prepare you for a rewarding career. Do you already have some experience or a certificate in a business or science field? You may be able to transfer those credits to your degree program so you can start ahead. Call 800-209-0182 to speak to a counselor or hit learn more for additional information.
Get Into Energy Innovation Challenge

The Virginia Chamber of Commerce and VEWC high school and industry company members participated in the Get Into Energy Innovation Challenge during the 2018-19 school year.
Students were asked to answer the following Problem Statement:
The Virginia energy grid requires modernization to become more sustainable, reliable, and flexible. The current grid is limited by pre-existing technology and infrastructure. The Virginia Grid Transformation and Security Act of 2018 provides a road map to prioritize and strengthen Virginias renewable energy and harden the energy grid for security and reliability. What innovative, renewable energy or sustainability solutions do you recommend to create Virginias self-healing energy grid?
Read More
The objectives of this challenge were to:
- Provide authentic experiences through solving problems that are important to the field or industry
- Build student awareness in Energy careers
- Link to academically rigorous science and mathematics requirements and address important student learning outcomes
- Allow students to apply technical knowledge and skills through assessing information, testing hypotheses, and problem solving
- Result in project management experiences relevant across industries, including teamwork, developing solutions, and presenting results orally or in writing
Industry partners assigned staff member to serve as point of contact and industry mentors.
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Presidential Management Fellows Program
The Presidential Management Fellows Program is designed to attract qualified candidates to the Federal service. This program is available to outstanding applicants that are pursuing a professional or graduate degree that have a clear interest in, and commitment to, excellence in the leadership of public policies and programs. To learn more or apply for this program, visit the OPM website: Presidential Management Fellows Program.
For more information about the Pathways Program, visit: .
Vewc Members Represented On Virginia Stem Education Commission
Governor Ralph Northam has signed Executive Order Thirty-Six, establishing the Virginia Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Education Commission. The Commission will develop a State STEM plan to create a unified statewide vision and dynamic set of shared goals to strategically inform how we prepare Virginias students for the STEM jobs of the future. Several members of the Virginia Energy Workforce Consortium were appointed to this commission.
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Blueprint Virginia 202: A Business Plan For The Commonwealth Virginia Chamber Of Commerce
Blueprint Virginia is a comprehensive initiative that provides business leadership, direction, and long-range economic planning for Virginia. Energy is an important resource for Virginias business community and its citizens. Virginia must build a diverse portfolio of energy resources to remain competitive. The Virginia Chamber of Commerce recognizes and supports the efforts of the VEWC including our efforts in the Blueprint Virginia 2015 and providing a seat on the Chambers Energy Industry Council. To view Blueprint Virginia 2025, click here.
Is Solar Energy A Good Career
With growing renewable energy jobs, solar technology produces the highest jobs globally. The jobs in the solar industry will continue to grow in the coming years.
Like other renewables, solar contributes significantly to the environment by producing clean energy. Because of it, people rely less on conventional fuel-based power sources. Solar also saves electricity bills.
A career in solar energy comes with different choicesinstaller, electrician, sales, design, and engineer. The more experience and skills you have, the more money you can make. Also, growth in the industry equals growth in the career, regardless of whether it is solar or any other renewable energy.
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Green Design & Construction
Green Design and Construction is the practice of planning, designing, building, renovating, and maintaining structures using processes that are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient. Green building limits environmental impacts by conserving as much energy and water as possible by using recycled or renewable materials and “green” techniques and practices.
What Degree Do I Need To Work With Renewable Energy
With renewable energy degrees, graduates can work and build a promising career in energy studies. The study of clean energy has the ultimate goal of sustainable living and a vibrant future. This sector will see massive growth in the years to come. The universities are also likely to promote energy studies more in the coming years.
Students can choose energy studies at different levels of their careers. They can obtain Bachelor’s degrees, Master’s degrees, and doctorate degrees in sustainable energy.
However, all jobs do not require high-level degrees. Some jobs, like installers and technicians, need only a high school diploma. But if you have a degree, you can have a better position, working experience, and earnings.
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Growth Of The Renewables Industry
There are fantastic opportunities for students and graduates to build a career in the clean energy and renewables industry, says David Hunt, chief executive officer and founder of specialist recruitment firm Hyperion Executive Search. ‘The fact that my company recruits exclusively in the sector hopefully demonstrates my belief that there is enormous growth potential.’
Around 6,500 companies now operate within this sector with newly created jobs spread around the country, explains David. ‘We are not an industry dependent on London and the southeast corridor. The much-vaunted northern powerhouse is responsible for almost 11,000 of the jobs in our sector.’
In fact, it’s a global industry – David says that more than 50% of his firm’s current assignments are international.
He argues that renewables can play a leading role in helping the government to tackle the skills shortage in science, technology, engineering and maths .
‘One of the most exciting areas of growth is in energy storage. This provides both UK and international job opportunities for students and graduates interested in forging a career in our sector.
‘Estimates by Lux Research, an independent research and advisory firm, suggest that the global industry for energy storage could be worth $100billion in the next few years,’ he adds.
Map A Career In Solar

The Solar Career Map explores an expanding universe of solar-energy occupations, describing diverse jobs across the industry, charting possible progression between them, and identifying the sorts of credentials necessary to do them well. Use the Solar Career Map to explore 40 jobs across 4 industry sectors, and identify more than 60 routes to advancement. Additional opportunities for progress and promotion can be found within any given occupation on the map, and multisector pathways reinforce the idea of lifelong learning and the natural evolution of skills and interests.
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Careers In Climate Control Technology Map
IRECs Careers in Climate Control Technology Map explores an industry exploding with job opportunities in heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration technologies , describing diverse occupations across the industry, charting possible progression between them, and identifying the sorts of credentials necessary to do them well.
This interactive map is designed for a broad audience including educators, career advisors, job seekers, employers, policymakers, and workforce professionals. It demonstrates the breadth of the HVAC/R industry, some of its critical occupations, and the multitude of advancement routes between jobs and sectors. The map also includes a section on green jobs within the industry these jobs have a mission to design, build, and operate high-quality, healthier, and more energy-efficient homes and commercial and industrial buildings.
Earn A Bachelor’s Degree
Many jobs in renewable energy do not require a bachelor’s degree, but for any specialized position, consider earning your degree in a related field. Depending on what you want to do, explore degree options in chemistry, bioinformatics, chemical engineering and environmental policy. With the right degree, you can stand out from competitors who are applying for the same position you are. If you want to go one step further, there are graduate certificates available that can provide you with even more knowledge about topics like sustainability, green energy, the environment and power systems.
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We’re Proud To Provide Training For Jobs In The Clean Energy Sector But It’s Much More Than That By Training People To Enter The Clean Energy Workforce We’re Also Helping The Environment Which Benefits Our Community And The Entire Sacramento Region Today And For Generations To Come
SMUD CEO & General Manager Paul Lau
The SMUD Energy Careers Pathways program educates adults ages 18 and up in the hands-on technical skills needed to work in the solar energy field. Students receive classroom education, hands-on training in the installation of solar arrays and, upon graduation, opportunities to interview with industry employers.
Pastor Les Simmons next to newly installed dual array solar tree at the Simmons Community Center. |
Students help prep a solar panel for installation. |
The program includes preliminary training on rooftop solar installations and installing solar tree arrays at multiple sites within Sacramento, beginning with the Greater Sacramento Urban League and the Simmons Community Center.
Classroom instruction on panel installation . Photo courtesy of Julian Jeffery. |
Classes are offered year-round.
Volunteer With Alternative Energy Groups
Volunteering gives you the opportunity to make a difference in the field you’re passionate about before you even get a job in the industry. One benefit of volunteering is that you can connect with others in the industry who may be able to assist you with your job search.
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What Is The Fastest Growing Renewable Energy
The production of renewable energy sources like biomass, geothermal, solar, wind, and hydro are growing each year. On the other hand, fossil fuel energy consumption is lowering. In recent years, solar and wind are the fastest growing renewable energy sources.
According to IEA , hydropower is contributing almost 50% of the global source of renewable electricity generation in recent years, which might be decreased for the first time in 2024. However, between 2020 and 2025, solar and wind capacity doubles, increasing 1123 GW.
Besides solar and wind, hydropower also contributes significantly to global power generation. According to IRENA , renewables such as solar and wind would contribute about 60% of the total power generation by 2050.
Is Renewable Energy A Good Career Choice
Yes, renewable energy is a good career choice. Climate change has become a massive issue in the world. The leading cause of climate change is non-renewable energy sources like oil, natural gas, petroleum, coal, etc. Therefore, the study and research in the renewable energy sector provide better alternatives to non-renewable energy sources. Moreover, more and more renewable energy-related companies, products, services are growing significantly. Therefore, there are good opportunities to choose renewable energy as a good career choice.
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Go Through Specialized Training
Many careers in renewable energy require some training in the field, especially if you’re trying to get into a more technical position. Once you’ve determined your interests and the career you want to pursue, explore courses and other training opportunities that will offer you the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in your chosen concentration. You can likely find opportunities that will fit your schedule, even if you are currently employed elsewhere. You can also show a hiring manager that you’ve gone through training, which can help you stand out as an applicant.
How Does The Green Buildings Career Map Work

Each dot on the map represents a specific green building career, and leads to a page with detailed career information, including which positions the job could lead to in the future. A few minutes clicking through the career map reveals the many career pathways within the green building industry. Clicking on the “Insulation Apprentice” dot shows this as an entry-level career in the Commercial & Institutional Construction & Retrofitting sector. The job detail page shows this position has an hourly wage range of $15-43 per hour and requires a high school diploma or equivalent for education and training, and no required work experience. The map also reveals seven potential jobs that an insulation apprentice could pursue next on their career path, including building maintenance technician, construction foreperson, and insulation mechanic.
Acting Assistant Secretary Kelly Speakes-Backman of DOEs Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy says that expanding and diversifying the efficiency workforce is critical for achieving the Departments ambitious climate goals. Our goals for energy savings and cleaner, healthier air are commensurate with our goals for a diverse, skilled, and well-compensated workforce, Speakes-Backman says. We must ensure that Americans understand how valuable these workers are for our future, and that there are good careers available to build this clean energy economy.
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Energy Sector Career Pathway In Higher Education
- $90,048 and 1.3 FTE to the department from the SPARC program fund for one-stop workforce center contracts and the Colorado work force development council and
- $1,724,590 to the department of higher education from the SPARC program fund for the community college board and state system community colleges.
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Refer House Bill 21-1149 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a vote of 5-2. -
Refer House Bill 21-1149 to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on a vote of 4-3. -
Refer House Bill 21-1149, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a vote of 7-4. -
Adopt amendment L.001 . The motion passed without objection. Refer House Bill 21-1149, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on a vote of 8-5.