<p>Hello all. I'm usually a poster in the Business major section, as I am currently an Accounting major, basically because its stable, I'm good at "practical" type of work, and it pays well. However, lately, I'm kind of wanting to do something that I feel will actually have a purpose, so I thought about renewable energy and such. Something that will actually help the world and conserve the environment. Once one graduates with an engineering degree, is this something that you could apply for just as you would apply to any other engineering job, or is it something comparable to one going into medicine just to be a sports doctor (in other words, really narrow and hard to get into position)? Also, which subdivision of engineering would be best to pursue such a position? My school offers Civil, Environmental, Electrical, Mechanical, and Industrial. Thanks</p>
<p>I know someone who is an EE major and his concentration is in environmental studies. He takes a lot of green and renewable energy courses. His career upon graduation is looking good, he currently has an internship at… (I forgot), and his ultimate goal (I think) is to work at Green Mountain.<br>
EE isn’t the only engineering major that could be applied to renewable energy though. It just happens to be the most popular. I also know some CivEs doing something similar.</p>
<p>Thanks. After doing a bit more research, it seems like ME and EE are both good for this type of work. Unfortunately, I think I might not be able to pursue it either way at this point. Most of the engineering courses require one to be up to about Calc 2 at this point, some Calc 3 and differential equations. This goes for the physics for engineers class my school has as well. Its not that I don’t think I could handle the upper level calculus classes, its just that being an Accounting major, I’m only required to go up to Pre-calc, and am currently enrolled in algebra due to my schools ridiculous placement test that is being implemented for the first year (even engineering majors that I know have had to take it the allowed two times because of how hard it is). I could do pre calc over summer and then start sophomore year in calc 1, but I just feel like I’m already years behind in engineering because of the math. I’m meeting with my adviser friday, but it just seems like a long shot.</p>
<p>If it’s what you really want to do, the sacrifice should be worth it. If not, then keep on your current track and you should be fine.</p>
<p>Cornell has a new minor in sustainable energy systems. Looks interesting. It can be completed by a student in any major, not just engineering. If your college doesn’t offer anything simulair you might start with this as a guide to developing your own program.</p>
<p>[Cornell</a> Engineering: Minor: Sustainable Energy Systems](<a href=“http://www.engineering.cornell.edu/academics/undergraduate/curriculum/handbook/2010/minors/energy.cfm]Cornell”>http://www.engineering.cornell.edu/academics/undergraduate/curriculum/handbook/2010/minors/energy.cfm)</p>
<p>Another engineering field to look into is Chemical Engineering. They also deal with renewable energy sources, specifically fuel cells (my current research). However, it would be difficult to switch to an engineering major considering that some people who start out in engineering aren’t even able to graduate in 4 years.</p>