Major

Careers

Sustainable and Renewable Energy

Related Skills

  • Technological proficiency
  • Good problem solving skills
  • Strong organizational skills
  • Good leadership skills
  • Oral and written communication skills
  • Strong research skills
  • Experience in interacting with diverse populations
  • Collaborative team skills
  • Ability to work independently
  • Strong computer skills
  • Logical Thinker

Contact

Career Industry Liaison

Sakhawat Tanim
(309) 438-2200
223 Bone Student Center

Internship Coordinator

Randy Jacobs
(309) 438-2609
Turner Hall 120A

Related Fields

Wind Energy

  • Wind resource assessment
  • Service Operations Manager
  • Project Permitting Manager
  • Project Developer
  • Project Controls Engineer
  • Wind Farm Site Manager – O & M
  • Business Development Manager
  • Manufacturing engineer
  • Quality manager

Employers

  • Wind farm developers
  • Wind consultants
  • Wind turbine manufacturer
  • Component manufacturer
  • Contractors

Strategies

  • Learn touse wind resource assessment software
  • Get an internship with a wind developer/manufacturer
  • Minor in Integrated Manufacturing
  • Attend county board hearings
  • Earn a certificate in project management
  • Attend trade shows and conferences

Photovoltaics/ Solar Thermal

  • Systems designer
  • Manufacturing engineer
  • Quality manager
  • Technical Sales representative

Employers

  • Renewable energy consultants
  • PV manufacturers
  • Renewable energy distributors

Strategies

  • Become amember of the American Solar Energy Society
  • Attend trade shows and conferences
  • Take courses or workshops on PV design and installation
  • Earn NABCEP certification

Biomass

  • Ethanol/biodiesel plant manager
  • Biomass research and development
  • Controls engineer

Employers

  • Ethanol/biodiesel plants
  • Equipment manufacturers
  • Biomass developers

Strategies

  • Take extra courses in agriculture and chemistry
  • Attend trade shows and conferences
  • Participate in European tour of biomass technologies
  • Learn a second language

Government

  • Research and Development
  • Policy development
  • Program manager

Employers

  • Federal government agencies
  • State government agencies
  • Department of Energy Labs

Strategies

  • Obtain internship with a government agency
  • Take extracourses on government
  • Get involved in student government
  • Seek leadership opportunities
  • Develop exceptional oral and written communication skills
  • Develop research skills

Tradeand Professional Organizations/NGOs

  • Conference and Education Director
  • Legislative Affairs Director
  • Member Relations Manager
  • Policy Analyst
  • Program Developer

Employers

  • Trade/Professional organizations
  • Non government organizations

Strategies

  • Obtain internship with an organization
  • Take extra courses in communication
  • Get involved in student organizations
  • Seek leadership opportunities
  • Develop exceptional oral and written communication skills