Powering the Future REVIEW COPY

POWERING THE FUTURE A STUDENT CAREER GUIDE

Learn about non-fossil energy sources — and the many careers helping power tomorrow’s electricity system.

W E I V E Y R OP C

INSIDE:  Solar, wind, nuclear,

hydropower, and more  Why electricity

careers are growing  Jobs for builders,

problem-solvers, designers, and planners  College, technical,

and career pathways  Steps students

can take now

POWERING THE FUTURE

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LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER

Dear Reader, Electricity is one of the most important parts of modern life. It powers our homes, schools, hospitals, businesses, transportation systems, and the digital tools people use every day.

And right now, the world needs more of it.

As demand for electricity grows, so does the need for people who can help produce it, store it, move it, and manage it. That means exciting opportunities for students with many different interests and strengths. Some of those students may enjoy working outdoors with tools and equipment. Others may be more interested in science, technology, design, environmental protection, or solving large, complex problems — even power in space!

We created this guide to help you explore that world.

I V E R O C

Inside, you will learn about major non-fossil electricity sources such as solar, wind, nuclear, hydropower, and geothermal. You will also learn about the electric grid, battery storage, and the many careers connected to the future of electricity. Some of those careers require college degrees. Others begin with technical training, apprenticeships, certifications, or community college. All of them matter.

Whether you like working with tools, designing systems, protecting the environment, using data, or leading projects, there probably is a place for you in this field.

The future of electricity is not just about power plants or technology. It is about people — people who build, design, test, improve, protect, and manage the systems communities depend on every day. We hope this guide helps you see where your own interests and strengths might fit in this fast-changing industry.

Special thanks to energy policy expert William “Bill” Hederman for his helpful guidance on this publication.

Sincerely, Bob Black Publisher & CEO Start Engineering

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION 4

Why Electricity Is Hot

6

No One Energy Source Can Do It All

ENERGY SOURCES 8

Solar Power

12 Wind Power 16 Nuclear Power

W IE Y P O 20 Hydropower

22 Geothermal Power

ENERGY SYSTEMS 24 The Grid 26 Storage

CAREERS

28 Careers That Power the Future 30 Building, Installing, and Maintaining 32 Designing and Improving Systems 34 Studying, Testing, and Discovering 36 Protecting People and the Environment 38 Planning and Managing Projects

PLACES YOU CAN WORK 40 Electric Utilities 42 Manufacturing Firms 43 Engineering & Construction Firms 44 Government, Public Agencies, Research Labs, and Universities 45 Startups and Energy Entrepreneurs

EDUCATION 46 Four Different Paths — Which One Fits You? 50 Where Your Path Can Begin 54 Steps You Can Take Now COVER PHOTO BY JON BOWER. ALL OTHER PHOTOS ISTOCK.COM UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. SOLAR PHOTO: AGRISOLAR CLEARINGHOUSE

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WHY ELECTRICIT

INTRODUCTION

Electricity demand is growing fast. That means the country needs more clean p

DEMAND IS RISING AGAIN After about 15 years of little growth, U.S. electricity use began rising again in the early 2020s.

New highs are expected.

Federal forecasts say demand will reach new highs in 2026 and beyond.

By 2050: U.S. electricity generation is expected to grow 25% to 50%.

WHAT’S DRIVING THE INCREASE IN DEMAND? AI and data centers Big data centers use huge amounts of electricity to run cloud computing, streaming, and AI. The U.S. already has 3,000+ operating data centers, with 1,500+ more in development.

Electric vehicles As more cars, trucks, buses, and other vehicles plug in instead of filling up, electricity demand grows.

I V E R O C

Cooling and heating buildings Hotter weather means more air conditioning. More buildings are also using electric heat pumps, which add to demand during colder months.

Growth in manufacturing and infrastructure New factories, chip plants, and major industrial projects need large amounts of electricity to operate.

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SOURCES: U.S. ENERGY INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION (EIA), ANNUAL ENERGY OUTLOOK 2026 AND TODAY IN ENERGY; U.S

TY IS HOT

power, a stronger grid, and more people to build, run, and protect the system.

NEW POWER IS COMING ONLINE Developers plan to add a record 86 gigawatts of new utility-scale generating capacity in 2026. To put that in context, the U.S. had about 1,300 gigawatts of utility-scale capacity at the start of 2025 — so this would be a major one-year addition. Most of it — 93% — is expected to come from solar, batteries, or wind.

W IE Y P O

MORE DEMAND = MORE WORK TO DO  Build new power sources - Add more ways to generate electricity.  Upgrade the grid - Strengthen power lines, substations, and

control systems.

 Store extra electricity - Save power for when it is needed later.  Keep power reliable - Prevent outages and restore service after

problems.

 Protect the system - Keep workers, communities, and the grid safe.

S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, U.S. ENERGY EMPLOYMENT REPORT 2024; U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

THAT MEANS JOBS! As the power system grows and changes, companies need workers to build, repair, design, and manage the system.

Clean energy added nearly 100,000 net new jobs in 2024.

About 10,700 lineworker openings are projected each year from 2024–2034.

About 17,500 electrical and electronics engineer openings are projected each year.

40% of the utility workforce will be retirement-eligible by 2030.

No single energy source can do it alone. Turn the page to see why the future depends on a mix.  POWERING THE FUTURE

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INTRODUCTION

I V E R O C

NO ONE ENERGY SOU

The future of electricity will likely depend on a mix of energy sources,

WHY NOT JUST ONE?

If electricity demand is rising, why not just build more of one energy source and call it a day?

Because every source has strengths and tradeoffs. Nuclear power can run around the clock, while solar, wind, hydropower, and geothermal all depend on natural conditions, or locations.

Some sources are also easier to build in certain places than others. That is why many experts believe the future will depend on an energy mix rather than one single answer.

THE GRID HAS TO GROW, TOO Meeting future demand is not just about generating more electricity. The country will also need a bigger, stronger grid to move power where it is needed. That means more power lines, substations, batteries, and other energy systems. To keep up with growing demand, the country could need 50% to 90% more power-producing capacity over the next two decades.

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W E CAN DO IT ALL IURCE Y P O

, plus batteries, transmission, and a smarter grid.

WHY ENERGY DIVERSITY MATTERS

It can be risky to depend too much on one source of energy. A diverse energy system is more: RELIABLE: Different energy sources can help keep electricity flowing at different times and in different conditions.

FLEXIBLE: What works best in one place may not work best in another.

RESILIENT: It is less dependent on any one fuel, technology, or weather pattern.

SECURE: Reduces the risks of supply disruptions, wars, cyber threats, and other shocks.

Turn the page to start learning more about energy sources, starting with solar. 

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SOLAR POWER ENERGY FROM

Central Texas solar energy farm outside Austin.

Solar power is turning

sunlight into electricity in more and more places.

From rooftops to large solar farms like this one, solar can work on many scales and is creating new opportunities for technicians, engineers, scientists, and other workers.

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I V E R O C

How it works

When sunlight hits a solar cell, the cell’s semiconductor material helps create an electric current. That electricity can be used right away, sent to the grid, or stored in batteries. Solar systems also use equipment called inverters to change the panel’s direct current into the alternating current used by the grid and most buildings.

Turning sunlight into electricity

W IE Y P O

Why it’s great

The challenges

Solar energy is abundant and versatile. The Department of Energy notes that in just about an hour and a half, enough sunlight reaches Earth’s surface to meet the world’s energy needs for an entire year.

Solar panels generate the most power when the sun is shining, so output changes with time of day, weather, and season. That means solar often works best with batteries, backup power, or other energy sources.

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SOLAR ENERGY TODAY Solar is now one of the fastest-growing parts of the U.S. energy system. You can find solar panels in deserts, on warehouse rooftops, over parking lots, shading crops or farm animals, and in some places, even floating on water — with the added benefit of reducing evaporation.

Long before solar panels became common on rooftops, they were used in space to help power satellites — and some researchers still dream of building solar power stations in orbit someday.

California and Texas are the biggest solar states, but solar is important far beyond those two states — from fast-growing markets such as Florida, Arizona, North Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, and Ohio to solar leaders such as Hawaii. China, however is still far ahead of the U.S. in both building solar projects and making solar panels.

Solar made up

54%

of new U.S. power capacity added in 2025.

Combined, solar and storage made up

79%

of new capacity in 2025.

I V E R O C

In 2025, utility-scale solar generation in the U.S. rose

34% from 2024.

By 2050, solar could provide about

20%

of U.S. electricity generation.

Solar across the landscape

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FLOATING SOLAR COURTESY BUSINESS WIRE

WHAT’S NEXT FOR SOLAR New ideas are making solar more powerful, flexible, and useful in more places.

W IE Y P O

Transparent solar window research at Michigan State

Making Tandem PV’s tandem solar cells

A Tandem PV solar cell, designed to capture more sunlight

Dye-sensitized solar cells in a glass facade at EPFL’s SwissTech Convention Center

TANDEM SOLAR CELLS

SOLAR WINDOWS

One exciting advance in solar is the development of tandem solar cells. These cells stack different materials so they can capture more of the sun’s energy than standard solar cells. The National Laboratory of the Rockies (formerly the National Renewable Energy Laboratory) says tandem solar modules can generate more electricity than conventional single-junction solar cells. This technology is beginning to move from research labs into real-world use.

The challenge: Making tandem cells durable, affordable, and easy to manufacture on a large scale so they can compete with today’s solar panels.

What if windows could do more than let in light?

Researchers are developing solar windows and other advanced window technologies that can help control sunlight, improve a building’s energy performance, and in some cases generate electricity. Some designs use transparent materials. Others, such as dye-sensitized solar cells, can add color while helping turn light into electricity. That could make windows, glass walls, and building facades part of a building’s energy system.

The challenge: Creating windows that generate useful amounts of energy while still staying clear, attractive, durable, and affordable.

COURTESY TANDEM PV, MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY, EURONEWS.COM

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WIND POWER ENERGY FROM

Wind energy uses

moving air to generate electricity. Turbines on land and offshore can produce large amounts of power and help supply homes, schools, businesses, and communities.

Thousands of wind turbines, in Tehachapi Pass, California.

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How it works As wind turns the blades, they spin a shaft connected to a generator, which produces electricity. That electricity can be used right away, sent to the grid, or stored in batteries.

E I V E R O C

Capturing the power of moving air

Why it’s great Wind energy can generate large amounts of electricity without burning fuel. Once turbines are built, the wind itself is free, but workers are still needed to operate the system, inspect equipment, and keep the turbines running safely.

W E Y P O

The challenges Wind turbines generate electricity only when the wind is blowing within the right speed range, so output can change with weather conditions. Some projects also raise questions about land use, transmission lines, and radar systems.

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WIND ENERGY TODAY Wind is already a major part of the U.S. energy system. Turbines operate across the Great Plains, on farmland and ranchland, and in some offshore waters. Texas leads the country in wind power, with Iowa, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Illinois also among the top wind-producing states. Wind’s growth has been strong in recent years, although China remains far ahead of the U.S. in building wind turbines and using wind power as part of its electricity system.

Texas, Iowa, Oklahoma, Kansas, & Illinois produced

59%

of all U.S. wind electricity in 2024.

Wind provided about

10%

of utility-scale electricity in the U.S. in 2025.

By 2050, wind could provide about

35%

Turbines can reach speeds of

55 mph,

E I V E R O C

of U.S. electricity generation.

at which point they stop turning for safety.

Wind energy on land and sea

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CLOCKWISE: COURTESY INVENERGY, SHUTTERSTOCK, SCHOLASTIC, AP PHOTO/MICHAEL DWYER

WHAT’S NEXT FOR WIND

From bigger turbines to innovative new designs, wind energy is becoming more powerful and adaptable.

Bladeless system from Vortex

W E Y P O BIGGER AND MORE POWERFUL TURBINES One major trend in wind energy is the development of larger, more powerful turbines. Longer blades can sweep a bigger area and capture more energy from the wind, helping each turbine generate more electricity. Taller towers can also reach stronger, steadier winds. These advances are especially important for offshore wind, where very large turbines can produce huge amounts of power.

The challenge: Building turbines that are strong, reliable, and practical to transport, install, and maintain at such large sizes.

PHOTOS ON RIGHT SIDE: COURTESY VORTEX; SUSTAINABILITY JOURNAL

Innovative blade design

NEW TURBINE DESIGNS Engineers are experimenting with new wind turbine designs to capture more energy and work better in different conditions. Some ideas improve the blades themselves, making them lighter, stronger, or better able to handle gusts. Others rethink the whole turbine, such as two-bladed designs, bladeless systems, or turbines made to catch wind from many directions in cities.

The challenge: Creating designs that are durable, efficient, and affordable enough to compete with standard turbines.

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NUCLEAR POWER ENERGY FROM

E I V E R O C Nuclear power provides a

significant share of U.S. electricity and can produce steady, reliable power for homes, schools, businesses, and entire communities. Unlike solar and wind, nuclear plants do not depend on the weather to generate electricity. They also do not burn fossil fuels while producing power.

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How it works Nuclear power plants generate electricity using heat released from atoms in a process called fission. That heat makes steam, which spins turbines connected to generators. Nuclear plants also use cooling systems, controls, and safety features to operate safely.

A powerful source of low-carbon electricity

W E Y P O

Nuclear power facility in Tennessee, one of three in the state.

Why it’s great

The challenges

Nuclear power can generate large amounts of electricity day and night.

It provides steady, reliable power and remains an important part of the energy system in many places.

Nuclear power plants are expensive to build and require strict safety systems and careful regulation. They also produce radioactive waste that must be managed safely for a long time.

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NUCLEAR ENERGY TODAY Nuclear power has been part of the U.S. electricity system for decades, and remains one of its biggest sources of steady, low-carbon electricity. But for many years, few new plants were built because projects were expensive, took a long time to complete, and were shaped by public concerns after accidents such as Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, and Fukushima. But that is beginning to change. As electricity demand grows, nuclear is getting new attention again.

Smaller reactor designs and added safety features are also changing how people think about nuclear power. Some facts about nuclear power: Nuclear provided about

19%

of U.S. electricity in 2024.

Inside Arizona’s Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, the largest nuclear power plant in the U.S.

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Nuclear plants usually run

E I V E R O C

24/7/365

which is roughly twice as reliable as coal or natural gas and 3 times more than wind or solar.

The U.S. has

96

nuclear reactors in operation.

COURTESY ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE

WHAT’S NEXT FOR NUCLEAR Engineers and scientists are working on new reactor designs that could change how nuclear energy is used in the future.

NuScale Power reactor

W E Y P O

Oak Ridge National Laboratory Frontier supercomputer

Westinghouse small reactor

More energy is needed for supercomputers (above) and factories.

SMALL REACTORS

NEW USES AND RISING DEMAND

One of the biggest trends in nuclear energy is the development of smaller reactors. These reactors are designed to be smaller than traditional nuclear plants and may be easier to build in stages or use in more places. Some are called small modular reactors (SMRs), while very small versions are sometimes called microreactors. In the future, these smaller systems could be used not only for electricity, but also for industrial heat or power in remote locations.

The challenge: Proving that smaller reactors can be built safely, affordably, and on schedule.

Nuclear power is getting new attention because the world may need much more electricity in the years ahead. Data centers, supercomputers, factories, and other large facilities may all increase demand for steady, around-the-clock power. That interest is already showing up in real projects. In Kemmerer, Wyoming, TerraPower’s Natrium reactor recently received a construction permit from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, marking a major step for next-generation nuclear power in the U.S. The challenge: Showing that new nuclear systems can be built fast enough to meet future energy needs.

COURTESY NUSCALE, WESTINGHOUSE, OAK RIDGE NATIONAL LABORATORY

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ENERGY FROM

HYDROPOWER Power from flowing water.

Hydropower

is one of the oldest ways people have used energy from nature. In places with rivers, dams, or other flowing water resources, it can generate steady, reliable electricity.

Boise River Diversion dam

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How it works

Why it’s great

It uses moving water to spin turbines connected to generators. The electricity can be used right away, sent to the grid, or in some systems stored for later use.

Hydropower can generate large amounts of electricity and respond quickly when more power is needed.

The challenges Drought and changing river conditions can affect how much electricity it produces.

Dams and other structures can also affect fish, wildlife, and river ecosystems.

E I V E R O C

HYDROPOWER ENERGY TODAY Hydropower has been part of the U.S. electricity system for well over a century, and it is still one of the country’s most important renewable power sources. But unlike solar and wind, hydropower cannot expand everywhere. It depends on rivers, dams, reservoirs, and water conditions, and many of the best sites were developed long ago. That means growth in hydropower today is less about building many brand-new dams and more about improving older plants, adding storage, and making projects work better for fish and river ecosystems. As more solar and wind are added to the grid, hydropower is also getting new attention because it can provide steady electricity and

W E Y P O

respond quickly when demand changes.

Hydropower is one of the oldest and largest sources of renewable energy in the U.S.

While upfront construction costs are high, hydropower plants have very low maintenance costs and lifespans of

65-85 years.

Pumped storage hydropower provides about

88% of all U.S. utility-scale energy storage.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR HYDRO Hydropower still plays an important role in the U.S. energy system, producing about 6% of utility-scale electricity in 2023. It is also one of the country’s most important renewable power sources. Researchers are now looking at ways to improve older plants, make hydropower safer for fish and rivers, and use water systems more flexibly as solar and wind grow.

Upgrading existing plants New turbines, sensors, and controls can help older facilities work more efficiently and respond more quickly to changes in electricity demand.

Pumped storage hydropower Some hydropower systems can store energy for later use by moving water uphill when extra electricity is available and releasing it later to generate power.

Fish-friendly and river-friendly technologies Researchers are developing safer turbines, fish ladders, eelways, and cooling systems to help protect fish and river ecosystems.

The challenge: Upgrading aging facilities, protecting fish and river ecosystems, and making hydropower more flexible in a changing energy system.

Hydropower produced about

6%

of U.S. electricity in 2025.

Many fish migrate through rivers, so hydropower projects must consider how to help them move safely.

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ENERGY FROM

GEOTHERMAL HEAT Power from heat inside Earth

Geothermal energy uses

heat from inside Earth. In the U.S., geothermal electricity is mostly produced in western states and Hawaii. But geothermal heat pumps can work in many parts of the country, using steady underground temperatures to help heat and cool buildings.

How it works

Why it’s great

To make electricity, geothermal plants bring heat from underground to the surface. In many systems, hot water or steam spins turbines connected to generators.

Geothermal energy can provide steady, reliable electricity day and night. It does not depend on sunshine or wind, and it produces very low emissions.

The challenges It is not available everywhere. Drilling deep wells can be expensive, and projects must be carefully managed to protect water resources and avoid problems such as ground movement or small earthquakes.

E I V E R O C Salton Sea Geothermal Field in Southern California

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COURTESY JEREMY SNYDER / BERKELEY LAB

GEOTHERMAL ENERGY TODAY Geothermal is still a small part of the U.S. electricity system, but it has some important strengths. It can provide steady electricity day and night, regardless of the weather, which makes it different from solar and wind. Geothermal plants also take up relatively little land compared with many other power sources, because most of the energy comes from heat below the surface. Today, most U.S. geothermal power comes from western states and Hawaii, where underground heat is easier to reach. That limits where geothermal is used today, but its steady power can still make it a useful part of a balanced energy mix.

W E Y P O

In 2023, geothermal produced about

.4%

of utility-scale generation in the U.S.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR GEOTHERMAL Researchers think geothermal could grow if new drilling and underground technologies make it possible to reach Earth’s heat in more places. Here are a few advances they are exploring.

Enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) These systems are designed to create or improve underground pathways so water can move through hot rock and bring heat back to the surface. At Utah FORGE, a U.S. Department of Energy research site built to test EGS, scientists and engineers are studying ways to make this process more reliable. And companies such as Fervo Energy are now trying to bring EGS to a larger scale.

Better drilling Engineers are also working on faster, cheaper, and more accurate ways to find and drill into underground heat. Some companies are using tools from the oil and gas industry, including horizontal drilling and advanced sensors, to reach hot rock that older geothermal systems could not use.

More uses for geothermal heat Geothermal’s future may not be limited to power plants. Underground heat could help grow food in greenhouses, raise fish in aquaculture systems, heat buildings, dry crops, melt snow from streets and sidewalks, and support industries that need steady heat. Some geothermal fluids may even contain valuable minerals such as lithium, which is used in batteries.

The challenge: Finding faster, cheaper, and more reliable ways to reach underground heat so geothermal can expand to more places.

Geothermal energy could meet up to

15%

of global electricity demand growth by 2050 if technology improves and costs fall.

SOURCE: INTERNATIONAL ENERGY AGENCY, THE FUTURE OF GEOTHERMAL ENERGY, 2024.

Geothermal heat can warm pools and buildings without first being turned into electricity.

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ENERGY SYSTEMS: THE GRID

HOW THESE ENERGY SOURCES WORK TOGETHER Because no single energy source can do everything.

E I V E R O C The electric grid connects power plants, batteries, and communities, helping different energy sources work together.

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W ES Y P O

o far, you have explored the major non-fossil-fuel energy sources — solar, wind, hydropower, nuclear, and geothermal. But producing electricity is only part of the story. The next challenge is getting that electricity where it needs to go, when it is needed.

That is where the electric grid comes in.

The grid is the network of power lines, substations, transformers, sensors, and control systems that moves electricity from where it is generated to where it is used. But the grid does more than deliver power. It has to balance supply and demand every second so that homes, schools, hospitals, factories, and data centers get the electricity they need when they need it.

As more electricity comes from renewable sources, the grid will need to become

stronger and smarter — and also more reliable and resilient. New transmission lines can carry power from sunny, windy, or remote places to the communities that need it. Sensors, software, and control centers can help operators spot problems, prevent outages, and shift electricity where it is needed most. Batteries can store extra power on a sunny or windy day and send it back to the grid later.

The grid is also becoming more flexible and responsive. Rooftop solar panels, electric vehicles, smart thermostats, and local battery systems can all become part of the larger energy system. Instead of electricity flowing only one way from big power plants to customers, the grid of the future may connect millions of smaller sources and devices.

THE BIG IDEA: The future of electricity is not just about generating cleaner power.

It is also about building the smart, flexible grid that can move, store, and manage that power reliably.

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ENERGY SYSTEMS: STORAGE

THE IMPORTANCE OF BATTERIES Storing electricity for when it is needed most

E I V E R O C Desert Peak Energy Center in Palm Springs, CA, one of the largest battery storage installations in the world (for now).

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W E Y P O

A

s more electricity comes from solar and wind, batteries are becoming more important. They store electricity and release it later — when the sun goes down, the wind slows, or demand suddenly rises.

Some batteries are small enough to power a phone, car, or home. Others are grid-scale systems, made from rows of large battery units that can store electricity for thousands of homes or businesses. These large systems can save extra solar power during the day and send it back to the grid in the evening, helping make the grid more flexible and reliable. That steady flow of power is especially valuable for places such as data centers, hospitals, and other facilities that need dependable electricity.

Batteries still have challenges. Large systems can be expensive, they do not last forever, and making them requires mined materials such as lithium. Most grid batteries today are also best at storing power for a few hours, not for days or weeks. Recycling old batteries is another challenge. Lithium-ion batteries also need careful safety planning because they can overheat or catch fire if they are damaged, poorly installed, or not carefully monitored. Large battery projects reduce these risks with sensors, cooling systems, fire-resistant designs, spacing between battery units, and emergency plans.

Even so, battery technology is improving quickly. Engineers and scientists are working on batteries that are safer, cheaper, longer-lasting, and easier to recycle. They are also exploring long-duration storage technologies that could help store electricity for longer periods.

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CAREERS

I V CAREERS E E R THAT O C POWER THE FUTURE 28

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nergy careers can be found across many parts of the electricity system.

Some people work for electric utilities or power companies that generate and deliver electricity. Others work for companies that design turbines, solar panels, batteries, and other equipment. Some work at universities, national laboratories, or research centers, helping develop new technologies.

Others work in construction, manufacturing, environmental protection, plant operations, public policy, or government relations, where they help shape laws and incentives that support new energy projects.

To make these careers easier to understand, this section groups them into five broad categories. These categories are based on the kind of work people do, not just the energy source they work with.

W IE Y P O

1. Building, Installing, and Maintaining These workers help put energy systems in place and keep them running.

2. Designing and Improving Systems These workers help create better equipment, systems, and power plants.

3. Studying, Testing, and Discovering These workers help improve technology, understand materials, and solve scientific problems.

4. Protecting People and the Environment These workers focus on safety, environmental protection, and responsible operation.

These categories connect to different education paths. Some careers begin with technical training, certifications, apprenticeships, or community college. Others require four-year degrees in engineering, science, technology, or a related field.

Many research roles and highly specialized positions require graduate study. The future of electricity will need many kinds of workers — and students with many different interests and strengths..

The Good News This is a field with a lot of work to do. Rising electricity demand, new energy projects, grid upgrades, and the retirement of experienced workers are creating opportunities in utilities, construction, manufacturing, research, government, and environmental work.

5. Planning and Managing Projects These workers help organize, coordinate, and guide large energy projects.

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CAREERS

Building, Installing, and Mai

E

nergy systems do not build or fix themselves. Many of the most important jobs in the future of electricity are handson. These workers help build energy systems, install equipment, inspect parts, fix problems, and keep everything running safely.

Without them, solar panels would not be connected, wind turbines would not stay in service, and power plants and battery systems would not operate reliably.

These careers can be a good fit for students who like tools, teamwork, troubleshooting, and seeing the results of their work.

Some workers install solar panels, climb wind turbines, or maintain battery systems. Others operate power plants, inspect equipment, or repair electrical and mechanical systems. Some work outdoors in all kinds of weather. Others work inside plants, control rooms, shops, or maintenance facilities.

entry-level wages to higher pay for experienced workers, specialized technicians, and supervisors.

Solar Technician

E I V E R O C

They also work closely with engineers who design systems, solve reliability problems, and help connect new energy projects to the grid.

Many of these careers begin with technical training, certifications, apprenticeships, or community college. Salaries can range from solid

CAREER SNAPSHOT

Solar Technician One fast-growing role is solar photovoltaic (PV) installer, a worker who sets up and maintains solar systems.

Solar technicians work in teams to mount panels, connect equipment, and prepare systems to deliver electricity.

Solar technicians and installers help set up and maintain solar energy systems. They may mount panels, connect wiring, inspect equipment, and troubleshoot problems. This work can take place on rooftops, at schools and warehouses, or on large solar farms.

Wind Turbine Technician

Wind turbine technicians inspect, maintain, and repair wind turbines.

They often climb towers, use safety gear, and work outdoors in changing weather conditions.

What they do: Assemble, set up, and maintain systems that convert sunlight into energy.

Education: High school diploma or equivalent for entry-level positions. Vocational/ technical school programs also offer training.

What it’s like: The rooftop solar crew unloads panels and safety gear, mounts rails, lifts panels into place, and connects wiring so the system can deliver electricity safely. It is hands-on work that combines tools, teamwork, planning, and attention to safety.

Job growth from 2024 to 2034: 42% Median annual wage: $51,860

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ALL DATA FROM MOST RECENT BLS SURVEYS

intaining

CAREER SNAPSHOT

Plant Operator Plant operators help keep power plants running smoothly. They monitor control panels, check equipment, record readings, and respond when systems need attention. Nuclear and many hydropower plants often require highly specialized, on-site operations teams, while solar and wind facilities may rely more on remote monitoring and field technicians who respond as needed.

W E Y P O Electrician or Field Service Technician

These professionals help install, test, repair, and maintain power-related equipment. They may work on wiring, controls, battery systems, or connections to the electric grid. These jobs often combine technical skill, safety awareness, and problem-solving.

Maintenance Technician Maintenance technicians help keep electrical and mechanical systems working properly. Depending on the setting, they may repair equipment, replace worn parts, inspect systems, and work with engineers or operators to solve problems.

Drone Inspection Specialist Some utilities now use drones to inspect power lines, substations, and other equipment. Workers in these roles may fly drones, collect images and other data, and help crews spot problems more safely and quickly.

COURTESY NATIONAL RENEWABLE ENERGY LABORATORY (NREL)

Wind turbine technicians need to be comfortable with heights as they inspect, maintain, and repair turbines.

Wind Turbine Technician What they do: Inspect, maintain, and repair wind turbines. They may troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, or hydraulic problems and replace worn parts.

Education: Usually training after high school, such as a certificate or technical program, plus on-the-job training.

What it’s like: A wind turbine technician may climb towers, use safety gear, inspect equipment, and work with a team to solve problems in the field. It is a good fit for students who like tools, outdoor work, teamwork, and practical problem-solving.

Job growth from 2024 to 2034: 50% Median annual wage: $62,580

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CAREERS

Designing and Improving Sys

B

efore a solar farm, wind turbine, battery system, power plant, or grid upgrade can be built, someone has to design how it will work. These workers create and improve the systems that generate, store, move, and control electricity. Their work may involve engineering, design software, testing, and teamwork. Some design new equipment, while others improve existing systems so they work better, last longer, or connect more smoothly to the grid.

Some work in offices or labs, while others visit power plants, construction sites, or test facilities.

These careers are often a good fit for students who like math, technology, design, and figuring out how complicated systems work.

Most require a four-year engineering degree, although some technical design roles may begin with other kinds of training.

Mechanical Engineer

Electrical Engineer

Civil Engineer

Electrical engineers help design and improve the systems that move and control electricity.

They may work on solar arrays, battery systems, substations, grid connections, plant controls, or transmission equipment.

CAREER SNAPSHOT

Electrical Engineer Electrical engineers play a key role in making energy systems work safely and reliably. In this field, they may decide how equipment should be arranged, how electricity will flow through a project, and how a solar farm, battery system, substation, or power plant will connect to the larger grid.

What they do: Design, build, and test electrical equipment, components, and systems used in energy production, storage, and delivery.

These engineers help design and improve mechanical equipment and systems. They may work on wind turbines, pumps, pipes, control systems, battery systems, cooling equipment, or other machinery used to generate or store power.

Civil engineers help prepare energy project sites so equipment can be installed safely and reliably. They study land, soil, slopes, drainage, roads, and access needs.

They help decide how earth should be moved, how water should flow through the site, and how to

E I V E R O C

work with project managers, contractors, or plant teams.

Job growth from 2024 to 2034: 7% Median annual wage: $111,900

Education: Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or a related engineering field.

What it’s like: An electrical engineer might use software to design a system, review how it connects to the grid, solve technical problems, and

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Electrical engineers help design, inspect, and improve the systems that move electricity through the grid.

stems prevent erosion. They also help protect wetlands, wildlife habitat, cultural resources, and nearby communities.

CAREER SNAPSHOT

Mechanical engineers help design and improve wind turbine systems, from blades and towers to the machinery inside.

Nuclear Engineer Nuclear engineers help design and improve systems used in nuclear power plants, including reactors, cooling systems, safety systems, and other equipment that helps plants operate reliably.

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Geothermal Engineer Geothermal engineers help design systems that use heat from inside Earth. They may work on wells, pumps, pipes, turbines, and heating or cooling systems.

CAD Designer or GIS Technician

These workers help create the drawings, maps, and digital plans used to build energy projects. CAD, or computer-aided design, is used to make technical drawings. GIS, or geographic information systems, is used to map and analyze places.

In energy, these workers may help plan equipment layouts, roads, drainage, property lines, or transmission routes

Power System Engineer Power system engineers help make sure power plants, renewable energy projects, battery systems, substations, transmission lines, and protection systems work together safely and connect smoothly with the larger electric grid.

Mechanical Engineer Mechanical engineers help design and improve machines and systems used in energy production and storage. In wind energy, that might mean working on blades, gearboxes, towers, and other turbine components. In solar energy, they may help design tracking systems that move panels to follow the sun. In other fields, mechanical engineers may help improve pumps, pipes, cooling systems, battery equipment, or machinery used in power plants and energy facilities. .

What they do: Design, build, and test mechanical and thermal devices used in energy systems.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related engineering field.

What it’s like: A mechanical engineer might use software to study system performance, review designs, solve technical problems, and work with construction, operations, or maintenance teams. This field is a good fit for students who like math, design, and figuring out how systems work.

Job growth from 2024 to 2034: 9% Median annual wage: $102,300

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CAREERS

Studying, Testing, and Disco

E

very energy technology starts with questions. How can solar panels become more efficient? How can batteries last longer? How can transmission lines carry more electricity? How can wind turbines work better?

How can energy projects protect land, water, and wildlife? Scientists, technicians, and analysts help find the answers. Some of this work happens in laboratories, where scientists test new materials or study how equipment performs. Some happens outdoors or at project sites, where workers collect sam-

a four-year degree in science, engineering, or a related field.

More advanced research roles may require graduate study.

ples, monitor conditions, or study how energy projects affect land, water, wildlife, or underground systems. Other work happens on computers, where people analyze data, build models, and compare results. Together, this work helps teams understand what is working, what needs improvement, and what new ideas are worth trying.

Materials Scientist

These careers can be a good fit for students who enjoy science, research, data, careful testing, and asking how things work. Some begin with technical training or community college, but many require

CAREER SNAPSHOT

Materials Scientist Materials scientists study the substances used to make energy technologies. They help improve materials used in solar panels, batteries, and other systems — including flexible solar cells like the one shown here — so they can be more efficient, durable, or affordable.

Materials scientists study the substances used to make energy technologies and look for ways to improve them. Their work can help make solar panels, batteries, and other systems more efficient, durable, or affordable.

E I V E R O C Environmental Scientist

Environmental scientists study how energy projects affect land,

ing for ways to improve them. The work often involves research, data analysis, careful testing, and collaboration with engineers and other scientists.

Job growth from 2024 to 2034: 5% Median annual wage: $104,160

What they do: Study the structure and properties of materials and investigate how they can be improved for real-world uses. Some research positions may also require advanced degrees.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, materials science, or a related field. Some research jobs may require a master’s degree or Ph.D.

A materials scientist holds a flexible solar cell.

What it’s like: A materials scientist might work in a laboratory testing new materials, measuring how they perform, comparing results, and look-

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COURTESY NATIONAL RENEWABLE ENERGY LABORATORY (NREL)

overing water, air, plants, wildlife, and nearby ecosystems. They collect data, test ideas, and help answer scientific questions that can improve energy projects.

CAREER SNAPSHOT

Environmental scientists collect field data, such as wind measurements, to help evaluate energy sites.

Nuclear Technician Nuclear technicians help monitor radiation, collect data, test samples, and support research and operations in nuclear settings. Their careful work helps nuclear facilities operate safely and reliably.

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Geologist or Geoscientist These pros study rocks, underground heat, water, and natural systems below Earth’s surface. In geothermal energy and site development, they help identify promising locations and understand how water and heat move through rock.

Energy Data Analyst Energy data analysts study information from power plants, solar farms, wind farms, batteries, buildings, and the electric grid. They look for patterns that can help improve performance, reduce costs, predict demand, or spot problems before they become serious.

Energy Systems Analyst Energy systems analysts look at the bigger picture. They compare energy technologies, costs, reliability, emissions, and future needs to help utilities, companies, or government agencies make better energy decisions. This work often combines data, engineering, economics, and policy.

Environmental Scientist Another important science role in the future of electricity is environmental scientist, a professional who studies how energy projects affect land, water, air, plants, wildlife, and nearby ecosystems. Environmental scientists can help energy projects balance power production with environmental protection.

What they do: Study environmental problems and develop solutions. In energy work, that may include examining land use, habitat impacts, water quality, and how projects affect wildlife or nearby ecosystems. As more energy projects are built, environmental scientists will play an important role in helping projects protect land, water, wildlife, and nearby communities.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, natural resources, chemistry, geology, or a related field.

What it’s like: An environmental scientist might review data, visit project sites, collect samples, and help teams plan projects more carefully. This work is a good fit for students who enjoy science, data, fieldwork, and protecting the environment.

Job growth from 2024 to 2034: 4%

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CAREERS

Protecting People and the Env

E

nergy projects have to do more than produce power.

They also have to protect workers, communities, water, land, and wildlife. These workers help make sure energy systems are built and operated safely, responsibly, and with attention to the world around them. Their work is important across many parts of the electricity system, from wind farms and solar projects to hydropower plants, nuclear facilities, battery sites, manufacturing facilities, and the electric grid.

Some of this work happens in the field, where people inspect sites, collect samples, monitor conditions, or check that rules are being followed. Other work happens in labs, control rooms, or offices, where workers study data, review safety procedures, and help solve problems before they become larger risks.

E I V E R O C

These careers are often a good fit for students who care about people, public safety, environmental stewardship, and careful problem-solving. Some begin with

CAREER SNAPSHOT

Water Quality Specialist A water quality specialist helps test and monitor water for pollution and other problems. In energy work, this can be especially important around hydropower, geothermal, industrial sites, and other facilities that affect rivers, lakes, groundwater, or drinking water.

technical training, certifications, or community college. Others require a four-year degree in environmental science, health, engineering, or a related field. Salaries in this category can range from solid technical wages to strong pay in specialized scientific and safety roles.

Water Quality Specialist

Water quality specialists test water, collect samples, study pollution, and help protect rivers, lakes, groundwater, and drinking water systems. Their work can be especially important around hydropow-

is a good fit for students who enjoy science, fieldwork, careful testing, and protecting natural resources.

Job growth from 2024 to 2034: 4% Median annual wage: $49,500

What they do: Collect water samples, run field or lab tests, monitor conditions, and help investigate sources of pollution or contamination.

Education: Typically an associate degree or similar technical training in environmental science, water quality, biology, chemistry, or a related field.

What it’s like: A water quality specialist might collect samples from rivers, lakes, wells, or industrial sites, test them in a lab, review results, and help identify possible problems. This work

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Near hydropower sites, water quality specialists test river conditions that can affect fish, wildlife, and nearby ecosystems.

vironment er, geothermal, and industrial sites.

W E Y P O

CAREER SNAPSHOT

Safety specialists help check equipment, procedures, and working conditions in energy facilities.

Environmental Compliance Specialist Environmental compliance specialists help make sure energy projects follow environmental rules and operate responsibly. They may review site conditions, track permits, monitor impacts, and help reduce harm to land, water, and wildlife.

Nuclear Technician

In nuclear settings, some technical workers help monitor radiation, test samples, inspect equipment, and support safe operations.

Safety Specialist

Safety specialists help protect workers by studying hazards, checking equipment and procedures, and helping job sites and facilities operate more safely.

Compliance or Regulatory Specialist Some workers focus on making sure projects follow environmental, safety, and operating rules.

They help organizations meet government standards and avoid harm.

Cybersecurity Specialist Cybersecurity specialists help protect the digital systems that energy companies use to monitor and control equipment, manage data, and keep electricity flowing. They may help defend utilities, power plants, substations, and control rooms from hackers, ransomware, and other cyber threats.

Safety Specialist Another important role in protecting people and the environment is safety specialist, a worker who helps prevent injuries and reduce risks in energy facilities and job sites. In the future of electricity, safety specialists may work at power plants, wind farms, battery storage sites, construction projects, or manufacturing facilities.

What they do: Inspect workplaces, study hazards, review procedures, and help design safer ways to work. They may also help make sure organizations follow safety and environmental rules.

Education: Typically a bachelor’s degree in occupational health and safety or in a related scientific or technical field.

What it’s like: A safety specialist might inspect equipment, review safety plans, investigate incidents, and help workers follow safer procedures. This work is a good fit for students who like problem-solving, responsibility, and helping protect people.

Job growth from 2024 to 2034: 13% Median annual wage: $83,120

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CAREERS

Planning and Managing Pro

A

major energy project can involve engineers, construction crews, permits, budgets, safety plans, equipment deliveries, community questions, and tight deadlines. Planning and management workers help keep all those pieces moving. These are the people who help move an idea from the drawing board to a real solar farm, wind project, battery site, power plant upgrade,

or grid improvement. Their work helps teams stay on schedule, on budget, and working toward the same goal.

operation, when teams need to solve problems, communicate clearly, and keep projects moving safely and efficiently.

Some of this work happens before construction even begins. People in these roles may help choose sites, organize permits, review costs, coordinate with engineers and environmental experts, and create timelines. Other work happens during construction or

These careers are often a good fit for students who like planning, teamwork, communication, and seeing how many parts of a project fit together. Some begin with technical or business training, while others require a four-year degree in engineering, construc-

CAREER SNAPSHOT

Construction Manager A construction manager helps oversee energy projects as they are built. Construction managers may work on solar farms, wind projects, battery storage sites, power plant upgrades, substations, or transmission projects, helping make sure the work stays on schedule, on budget, and moving safely.

E I V E R O C

may live near the project site for weeks or months at a time, often in remote areas. This can mean travel, long stretches away from home, and strong pay or per diem benefits. This work is a good fit for students who like planning, teamwork, leadership, and seeing large projects come together.

Job growth from 2024 to 2034: 9%

What they do: Plan, coordinate, budget, and supervise construction projects from start to finish. In energy work, that can include managing schedules, materials, crews, subcontractors, and progress in the field.

Education: Typically a bachelor’s degree in construction, engineering, or a related field, plus onthe-job training. Experience in construction can also be important.

What it’s like: A construction manager may spend time in both an office and a field office at a job site, reviewing plans, solving problems, coordinating teams, and checking progress. On large solar and wind projects, construction managers

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Median annual wage: $106,980

Construction managers help coordinate crews, schedules, materials, and safety on energy projects.

ojects

CAREER SNAPSHOT

tion, business, environmental policy, or a related field.

Project Manager Project managers help organize energy projects from beginning to end. They may work on schedules, logistics, budgets, teams, materials, and communication to help make sure the work stays on track.

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Grid planners help figure out where new power lines, substations, and grid upgrades may be needed.

Construction Manager Construction managers help oversee building projects in the field.

In energy work, that might include helping supervise crews, materials, safety, and timelines for a solar site, wind farm, battery facility, or plant upgrade.

Grid Planner

Grid planners help think ahead about where electricity demand is growing, where new power sources will connect, and how the grid can be expanded or improved.

Regulatory or Policy Specialist

Some workers focus on permits, rules, and public policy. They help projects meet legal requirements and work through the approvals needed to move forward.

Control Room Operator Control room operators help monitor and manage the flow of electricity. Like traffic controllers for the power system, they watch screens, respond to alarms, and help keep electricity moving safely and reliably.

COURTESY POSITIVE CURRENT

Grid Planner A grid planner helps plan how electricity will move from where it is generated to where it is needed. Grid planners think about growing demand, new power sources, battery storage, transmission lines, substations, and how the electric grid can stay reliable as the system changes.

What they do: Help study, design, and improve parts of the electric system that generate, move, control, and distribute electricity. In grid planning, that may include looking at future demand, transmission needs, substations, where new energy projects can connect, and how homes, businesses, batteries, solar panels, and electric vehicles can help balance the grid.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or a related engineering field.

What it’s like: A grid planner might review maps, demand forecasts, and technical data, use software to study power flow, and work with utilities, engineers, and planners to decide how the grid should grow. This work is a good fit for students who like math, systems thinking, planning, and solving largescale problems.

Job growth from 2024 to 2034: 7% Median annual wage: $111,910

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PLACES YOU CAN WORK

ELECTRIC UTILITIES

Rising demand, a changing grid, and many upcoming retirements are cre

T

he five career groups mentioned in the previous pages do not exist in separate worlds. In many cases, they come together in one place: electric utilities and other major power companies.

Utilities are one of the best examples of how many different skills are needed to keep the power system running.

When you flip on a light, charge a phone, or plug in a laptop, an electric utility helps make that possible. Utilities help move electricity from where it is generated to where it is needed, keeping homes, schools, hospitals, businesses, and entire communities running every day.

Their work has to happen around the clock, in ordinary moments and during emergencies.

People who work here may include lineworkers, plant operators, electrical engineers, grid planners, field service technicians, safety specialists, environmental specialists, cybersecurity workers, data analysts, customer service representatives, project managers, and others. Some jobs 40

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are hands-on and outdoors.

Others involve design, computers, planning, environmental protection, safety, or communication with the public.

Utilities can be organized in different ways. Some are large power companies, such as Dominion Energy, Southern Com-

pany, Exelon, Xcel Energy, and American Electric Power. Others, such as TVA, are publicly owned power providers. Some utilities are owned by cities or communities, while electric cooperatives are member-owned and often serve rural areas. No matter how they are organized, they all need workers who can

I V E R O C AES Corporation’s Maximo robot which can install hundreds of solar panels, often weighing 60 pounds or more, in a single day.

DelMarva, a subsidiary of Excelon

Xcel Energy

NextEra Energy

eating new opportunities in this part of the energy world. help deliver reliable electricity.

This is also a time of major change in the utility workforce.

Older workers are retiring, electricity demand is growing, and utilities are modernizing the grid. Companies need a new generation of employees who can work with tools,

W IE Y P O

technology, data, equipment, customers, and communities.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects about 10,700 openings each year for electrical power-line installers and repairers from 2024 to 2034, along with about 17,500 openings each year for electrical and electronics engineers. Many of those

openings are expected to come from the need to replace workers who retire or leave the field.

Utilities bring together power generation, reliability, safety, technology, and public service — but they are only one place to work in energy. Turn the page to explore more possibilities.

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PLACES YOU CAN WORK

MANUFACTURING FIRMS T

hese companies make transformers, substations, grid equipment, turbines, batteries, and other parts of the power system. Workers in this sector may help design products, operate machinery, test equipment, improve manufacturing processes, or check quality and safety. This work matters because the future of electricity depends not only on power plants and the grid, but also on the equipment that makes those systems possible. Examples include Siemens Energy, Samsung, GE Vernova, and Hitachi Energy for grid and power equipment; First Solar for solar panels; Vestas for wind turbines; and Fluence for battery storage systems.

Vestas

E I V E R O C Siemans Energy

First Solar

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PLACES YOU CAN WORK

ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION FIRMS T

hese companies help design and build the infrastructure behind the power system, including substations, transmission lines, battery storage sites, solar and wind projects, and upgrades to existing power plants. They may also help utilities rebuild after storms by repairing or replacing poles, wires, transformers, and other distribution equipment that brings electricity to homes and businesses. People in this sector may work in design, engineering, project management, field supervision, safety, or construction. Their work matters because rising electricity demand will require not just more power, but more places and systems to generate, move, and store it. Examples include Burns & McDonnell, AECOM, Kiewit, Danovo Energy Solutions, and Bechtel.

W E Y P O Bechtel

AECOM

Kiewit

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PLACES YOU CAN WORK

GOVERNMENT, PUBLIC AGENCIES, UNIVERSITIES, & RESEARCH LABS S

ome energy careers focus on research, public service, and long-term planning. Government agencies, public organizations, regional grid operators, universities, and research labs may study new technologies, set safety and environmental rules, fund research, collect data, support workforce training, or help communities plan energy projects. People in these jobs might work at the U.S. Department of Energy, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Western Area Power Administration, a regional grid operator such as the California ISO, PJM, or New York ISO, the National Laboratory of the Rockies, a state energy office, a public utility commission, a community college, or a university research center. These workplaces can be a good fit for people who like science, policy, public service, education, research, or planning for the future.

National Laboratory of the Rockies

E I V E R O C

Western Area Power Administration headquarters in Lakewood, CO

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PLACES YOU CAN WORK

STARTUPS & ENERGY ENTREPRENEURS O

ne final place to imagine an energy career is at a startup — or even by building a new energy business yourself. Energy entrepreneurs look for problems that need better solutions, then build companies that can grow.

W E Y P O

Many new energy startups focus on three big trends: decarbonization, or reducing pollution; decentralization, or producing and managing power closer to where it is used; and digitalization, or using software and data to make energy systems smarter.

These companies might develop better solar products, advanced wind technology, new battery designs, recycling systems, smart-grid software, energy-saving tools, virtual power plants, home batteries, advanced geothermal systems, or grid-monitoring technology. Examples include Redwood Materials, Renew Home,

Base Power, XGS Energy, and Heimdall Power.

Startups often need people with many different skills. Engineers may design and test products.

Data scientists may build software that predicts energy use or manages batteries. Technicians may help install, test, or repair equipment. Business, marketing, finance, and policy workers may help raise money, find customers, understand regulations, and bring new technologies into the real world.

Working at a startup can be exciting because teams are often small and people may take on different kinds of tasks. It can also be uncertain, because not every new idea succeeds. For students who like problem-solving, creativity, technology, and building something new, energy entrepreneurship can be another path into the future of electricity.

Redwood Materials builds large energy storage systems using new and reused batteries.

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EDUCATION

FOUR DIFFERENT PATHS —

There are many ways to prepare for a career in the future of electricity, from

S

tudents interested in the future of electricity can choose from several different educational paths. Some choose engineering, some choose science, some choose a four-year engineering technology program, and others start with a two-year engineering technology program, often at a community college. All four paths can lead to strong careers, but they prepare students in different ways. Take a closer look.

ENGINEERING

E

ngineering programs usually focus on math, science, theory, and design. Students often take advanced courses in calculus, physics, and engineering analysis. They learn how systems work, how to solve complex technical problems, and how to design new equipment or improve existing systems. Most bachelor’s degree programs in engineering take four years to complete.

Georgia Tech

E I V E R O C

THE WORK: Engineers may work on solar arrays, wind turbines, substations, batteries, power plants, or the electric grid.

A GOOD FIT FOR: Students who enjoy math, problemsolving, and understanding how complicated systems work.

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Arizona State

PHOTOS COURTESY THE SCHOOLS

— WHICH ONE FITS YOU?

m engineering and science to technical training and community college.

SCIENCE

S

cience programs usually focus on observation, experimentation, testing, and analysis. Students may study physics, chemistry, geology, environmental science, materials science, or related subjects. Most of these careers begin with a four-year degree.

Some students also start with a two-year science-related program in areas such as environmental science, chemistry, geology, or laboratory technology. These programs can lead to technical jobs or transfer into a four-year science degree

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THE WORK: In the energy field, scientists may study battery materials, environmental impacts, underground heat, water quality, radiation, or new ways to improve energy technologies.

University of Maryland

UNC, Greensboro

A GOOD FIT FOR: Students who enjoy research, lab work, data, statistics, and asking questions about how things work.

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EDUCATION

FOUR DIFFERNT PATHS (CONTINUED) 4-YEAR ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

F

our-year engineering technology programs are usually more applied and hands-on than engineering programs. Students still study math, science, and technical subjects, but the focus is often more on using existing technology, operating systems, troubleshooting equipment, and applying engineering ideas in real-world settings.

THE WORK: Graduates may work in testing, field service, operations, manufacturing, quality control, project support, or technical management. In the energy field, they may help install, operate, maintain, or improve equipment and systems.

A GOOD FIT FOR: Students who like technical work, labs, hands-on learning, and practical problem-solving.

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Purdue

E I V E R O C Tennessee Tech

PHOTOS COURTESY THE SCHOOLS

2-YEAR ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

T

wo-year engineering technology programs, often offered at community colleges, are usually the most direct and hands-on of the four paths. Students may study electrical systems, industrial technology, electronics, instrumentation, renewable energy technology, or related subjects.

Austin Community College, TX

THE WORK: These programs often prepare students for technical jobs that involve installing, maintaining, repairing, testing, or operating equipment.

W E Y P O

A GOOD FIT FOR: Students who want practical training and a faster route into the workforce. Some students also begin here and later transfer into a four-year program.

Portland Community College, OR

Which path is best?

There is no single best path. It depends on the kind of work a student wants to do. Those interested in designing systems or doing advanced analysis may prefer engineering. Students who want to study materials, the environment, geology, or energy technologies more deeply may prefer science. A more applied, hands-on fouryear degree may make engineering technology a good fit. Students who want technical training

and a faster start in the workforce may find a two-year engineering technology program especially appealing.

The big idea All four paths can lead to important work in the future of electricity. The best choice depends on your interests, strengths, goals, and the kind of learning environment that fits you best.

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EDUCATION

WHERE YOUR PATH CAN BEGIN From universities to community colleges, students can prepare for these careers in many different places.

N

ow that you’ve seen some of the different paths into the energy world, the next question is where you can study for them.

Students can prepare in many different places, depending on the kind of work they want to do. Some choose large universities with engineering or science programs. Others look for schools with specialized energy programs or start closer to home at a community college.

Study engineering or science Many energy careers begin with a bachelor’s degree in subjects such as mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, civil engineering, chemical engineering, environmental science, geology, materials science, or physics. Some students also choose four-year engineering technology programs, which often take a more applied and hands-on approach.

These majors are offered at colleges and universities across 50

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the country and can lead into many parts of the energy world.

If you are interested in energy, look for ways to show that interest while you are in college.

Take an energy-related elective, choose a renewable energy topic for a paper or project, join an energy-focused student group, or look for an internship, co-op, lab position, or design project connected to renewable energy or the grid.

Because not every engineering school offers a nuclear engineering degree, see the box on page 53 for examples of schools that do, along with a few community colleges with related programs.

Specialized programs

UT-Austin

E I V E R O C

Some colleges offer more focused undergraduate programs in renewable energy or energy systems. These programs can give students a more direct path into the field while still building strong technical and scientific skills. Examples include Oregon Institute of Technology’s B.S. in

PHOTOS COURTESY THE SCHOOLS

University of Wisconsin

W E Y P O

Johns Hopkins

NC State

Penn State

Villanova

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EDUCATION

WHERE YOUR PATH CAN BEGIN (CONTINUED) Renewable Energy Engineering, North Carolina State’s Electrical Engineering degree with a Renewable Electric Energy Systems concentration, and Illinois State University’s B.S. in Sustainable and Renewable Energy. See the box on the next page for more examples.

Community colleges Many community colleges offer two-year engineering technology and technical programs related to solar technology, wind technology, electrical systems, industrial maintenance, utility work, environmental technology, and advanced manufacturing. For students interested in hands-on technical work, this can be a practical and affordable place to start.

Apprenticeships and more Some students also enter the field through apprenticeships, employer training, or certification programs, especially in careers such as linework, electrical work, plant operations, maintenance, and field service.

Even students at four-year colleges may build their path through internships, co-ops, research opportunities, ROTC programs, minors, certificates, and concentrations related to energy.

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Iowa State

HOW TO CHOOSE A PROGRAM • Do you want hands-on training, a four-year degree, or a program that could lead to either?

• Do you want to design systems, do research, or work directly with equipment?

E I V E R O C

• Does the school offer internships, co-ops, undergraduate research, or strong lab experience?

• Are there energy-related minors, certificates, or concentrations?

• Are cost, location, or transfer options important to you?

NUCLEAR ENGINEERING

W E Y P O Oregon Institute of Technology

Not all engineering schools have a nuclear engineering department.

Here are some colleges offering undergraduate degrees: • University of Michigan • Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) • U.S. Naval Academy • University of Wisconsin, Madison • University of Illinois • Texas A&M • North Carolina State • University of California, Berkeley

SOME SCHOOLS WITH RENEWABLE OR ENERGY-FOCUSED UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS •

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

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Stanford University

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University of California, Berkeley

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Penn State University

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North Carolina State University

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Appalachian State University

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University of Michigan, Flint

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University of Texas at Austin

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Arizona State University

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University of California, San Diego

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Oregon Institute of Technology

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Illinois State University

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Texas Tech University

• Georgia Institute of Technology • Purdue University

Community colleges with associate-degree programs that can help prepare students for entry-level nuclear technician or plant-support roles.

• Three Rivers Community College (Norwich, CT) • Monroe County Community College (Monroe, MI) • Alexandria Technical and Community College (Alexandria, MN) • Cape Fear Community College (Wilmington, NC) • City Colleges of Chicago, Wright College (IL)

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EDUCATION

STEPS YOU CAN TAKE NOW

You do not need to know exactly what job you want right now to begin build

D

id something in this guide catch your eye?

Maybe you were intrigued by geothermal energy.

Maybe you liked learning about the grid, battery storage, solar panels, wind turbines, or nuclear power. Or maybe you were drawn to the people who build, repair, design, protect, and improve the power system.

E I V E R O C

You do not have to know your exact job right now to start preparing. A good place to begin is by noticing what kind of work sounds interesting to you.

WHICH PATH SOUNDS LIKE YOU?  I like tools and equipment.

Look into technician, lineworker, plant operator, or field service careers.  I like science and the environment. Explore environmental science, materials science, water quality, wildlife, or energy research.  I like computers and data.

Check out grid planning, cybersecurity, data analysis, automation, or control systems.

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 I like designing and solving problems. Learn about engineering, project design, construction, and energy systems.  I like organizing people and projects. Explore project management, safety, operations, communication, or community outreach.

Once you have a few interests in mind, the following steps can

help you build skills and experiences to explore them.

1. Build strong school skills.

Math and science matter in many energy careers. Classes such as algebra, geometry, physics, chemistry, earth science, environmental science, and computer science can all help. Career and technical education, shop, robotics, and technology classes are useful too.

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ding skills for this fast-changing field.

W E Y P O 2. Try hands-on experiences.

Look for chances to build, test, repair, or explore how things work. Try robotics, science clubs, STEM camps, scout merit badges, maker projects, technical classes, job shadowing, or volunteer activities.

3. Ask about real workplaces.

Contact a local electric utility, solar installer, manufacturing company, community college,

or university. Ask about tours, camps, workshops, job shadowing, or student outreach programs.

4. Build workplace habits.

Employers want people who can work on a team, communicate clearly, follow safety rules, solve problems, show up on time, and keep learning. A parttime job, club, sport, volunteer role, or school project can help you practice those habits.

5. Look for help paying for training. Scholarships can help pay for college, technical school, and other programs.

See the purple box for ways to get started. Start looking in your sophomore or junior year, and ask schools, community colleges, workforce offices, and energy-related organizations what support is available.

6. Pay attention to what is changing. Solar, wind, batteries, nuclear energy, geothermal power, and the grid are all changing quickly. Students who stay curious and look for ways to explore what interests them will be better prepared for new opportunities.

Scholarships can help pay for college, technical training, apprenticeships, and other education programs. Here are some places to start.  Start with the schools you are interested in attending.

School-based scholarships are often the most generous.  Check energy-related scholarship directories.

The Get Into Energy scholarship directory includes utility, nuclear, lineworker, and company-sponsored awards.  Explore DOE STEM

Opportunities This searchable U.S. Department of Energy site includes scholarships, internships, fellowships, apprenticeships, and other STEM opportunities connected to energy.

More examples worth exploring: IEEE PES Scholarship Plus Initiative APPA / DEED Lineworker and Technical Education Scholarships DOE University Nuclear Leadership Program American Nuclear Society (ANS) Scholarships AABE Scholarship Program FOSSI ROTC SWE Scholarships Scholarship details can change, so always check the official website.

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Check out our other career guides at start-engineering.com.

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