Green Career Education & Degree Options

When considering careers in natural energy, you may be worried about the necessary educational requirements necessary for many of the positions discussed in this guide.

Not to worry: There are a wide variety of educational paths that can put you on the right path. Colleges, universities, technical schools, community colleges and online programs are some of the options available to you. If you think you lack the educational requirements to start a career in natural energy, don’t get discouraged – it’s not necessary to have a PhD to get in the field. There are many jobs available that you can get with simply a bachelor’s degree, technical school or community college diploma, or even an online degree. Read on to find out more.

Colleges and Universities

Colleges and universities are a great place to go for more advanced degrees or to get the educational experience required for more technical or supervisory jobs. If you are looking to get a good job in the engineering field, for example, it is pretty much essential that you have at least a bachelor’s in engineering. Other jobs that will most likely require you to have at least a bachelor’s include meteorologist and geophysicist. For highly-specialized positions like these, it is imperative to have at least a four-year bachelor’s degree to even gain entry-level work in the field.

Technical Schools and Community Colleges

Community colleges and technical schools are a great educational resource for those individuals who are interested in a specialized field which doesn’t necessarily require a BA, MA or PhD.

Most community colleges and tech schools have programs that offer training in electrician’s work, plumbing, marketing and construction management. Another great thing about community college is that they are significantly shorter and much cheaper than regular colleges, so this can also save you in educational expenses.

Online Degrees

You may be surprised to find that online degrees are a viable option when planning your education for a career in the natural energy sector.
A great number of online programs offer marketing degrees online, which can be a great asset if you are interested in working in the marketing department of an NGO dealing promoting natural energy, for example. These days it’s even possible to get online degrees in the sciences. Some colleges and online degree programs offer online degrees in subjects such as physics, business and the environmental sciences. When considering online degrees, it’s important to make sure that the program you are considering is reputable. Online degrees have become much more respected and common over the past decade, and there are many well-respected online degree programs. However there are also many “diploma mills” online which do not offer the appropriate training considered necessary for a reputable degree. When it comes to online programs, always do your research.

On-the-Job Training and Experience

It’s important to keep in mind that no matter what your educational background, often on-the-job training is the most valuable experience you can have when it comes to jobs in the natural energy sector. Experience in construction can eventually lead you to a higher position such as construction manager, while a background as an electrician is a great advantage if you are thinking of becoming a solar panel installer. Education is an important aspect of getting the job, but the experience and skills you are already have are just as important.

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