Default Are alternative energy technical degrees worth it?

[terocokireng]

Hello everyone. I am considering going back to school to work on a 2 year Associates Degree in "Renewable Generation". The school I am looking at is Bismarck State College (www.bismarckstate.edu). The school in general is well known in our area for its energy programs. I already have Bachelor and Master's degrees in Business, and hope someday to work in the renewable energy field. Initially I would like to work with a local utility company that has wind farms, but eventually would like to start my own renewable energy business. Does anyone here think that the experience and technical knowledge one would obtain from such a program is worth the effort? I appreciate any and all input.

[Hrothgar]

what is "worth" to you?

Default Are alternative energy technical degrees worth it? Wind is notable for being very expensive to erect and at the end of it's life expectancy it takes more money to tear down than the scrap can be sold. That said alternative energy can be very lucrative for instance where I live there are about only 3 licensed solar installers in western North Carolina. So if worth to you is money then check out how much competition is in the field. Low competition and high regulation means steady work.

[mbrownn]

That is a very good question.

As a mechanical engineer i can say that engineering degrees are useful in learning engineering but there is so much more that isn’t in the course that is fundamentally important. I have learned far more by working in the field than is in any degree course, in fact some of what i have learned goes against what is in the degree "education"

What is a degree? its a method of teaching what academics and business people think they want you to know. Once you can repeat back to them what they think you should know, you get the degree.

What is a degree used for? Your CV. Yes some of what you will have learned will be put to daily use, but most will be irrelevant.

Why do they have degrees? They are used as a method of confirming a certain level of knowledge but it is also a method of control. Once you have the information drilled into you, you will find it hard to step outside that box and look at alternatives. You may also dismiss some alternatives based on your new found beliefs. They are also used as a method of excluding people from working in certain fields, ie if they don’t have a degree.

What is the alternative? If you spent the same amount of time researching on the internet as you would taking a degree course, your knowledge would surpass anything you get in a degree, and it would be much broader based. That, unfortunately, wont get you into employment as you have nothing to show for it, but if you were going to have your own business then you would be in a much better position than any degree would give you.

As many on this site will tell you, having a degree doesn’t mean much when your working on the cutting edge of science. Don’t get me wrong, im not knocking the need for degrees, to get the best paid employment they are still very useful, if not essential. The point is this system of academic control has limited and slowed the advancement of knowledge and science.

Try talking to the people at the utility where you wish to work, you may find the degree is not necessary, if so you will have saved yourself a considerable amount of time and money. The fact that you approach them and ask them about what they do, what they need, and what their plans are for the future will impress them. Talk to the engineers and senior management. Just go and ask for an appointment as they will consider talking to you as good public relations, but don’t go in and blurt out your looking for a job, work up to it.

Hope this helps

[TheoriaApophasis]

Does anyone here think that the experience and technical knowledge one would obtain from such a program is worth the effort?

NOPE



The media has LIED TO YOU.


Most people, in reality dont give a DAHMN about renewable energy.


If polled, you have a 9 to 1 margin FOR self-sufficiency energy solutions, NOT renewable energy.

Would you rather:

1. Implement a Wind farm in your city, and "feel good" about not burning fossil fuels (but still be paying the same electric bills)...........OR...

2. Or, would you rather have solar cells on your roof and a few other devices so you can tell the power company to shove it where the sun doesnt shine?


You will, contrary to the BS the media feeds you, get a 9 to 1 margin for #2 over #1


What people care about is generating their OWN energy and giving the middle finger to the power company.


Hippies and "hug a tree" types generally have NO MONEY.


If you want to make a fortune, get into what I call a "Shaft the power company" businesses.

Home based solar, home based ground heating /cooling. etc


I know 2 people that got out of the "hippie save the world market" (i.e. 'renewable energy') racket... because there IS NO MONEY IN IT TO SPEAK OF.


The money is in "shaft the local utility company and unplug and make your own"

There is the money, THOSE are the rich people, and THAT is what they desperately WANT.

And, good for you, there is a HUGE shortage of such peoples.