I have a technical background and I want to know how I get an ultimate job in the renewable energy industry? Ian P. Agoura Hills, California
Ian, The most frequent questions I receive are how to use clean energy in my home and how to find a job in the clean energy industry. Obviously, regional interests, prior job experience, educational and training background, and salary requirements all play into the job search but there are some common actions required, no matter what the job. To understand general market trends and get lists of companies, you should log on to the different industry association web sites (see suggested list below). Some of these industry groups have state or regional chapters composed of their local businesses, who manufacture, assemble, install or service systems in the chapter’s state. So for instance, for SEIA or ASES – www.ases.org — click on their State Chapters under ‘membership’. Meet companies at local trade shows and seminars. You can learn if they are growing and need people, and, if they do, what kind of positions and requirements they need. I am not a believer in sending blind resumes, so I suggest personal interactions and maybe an internship if possible. Working with some related clean energy non-profits, where you get a chance to personally meet clean energy industry leaders and practitioners, is also a good start. Read magazines or web newsletters to learn of companies and their needs. Scott Biofuels: http://www.EthanolRFA.org Biopower and products: http://www.newuses.org Combined heat and power: http://uschpa.admgt.com/ Fuel cells: http://www.usfcc.com Geothermal: http://www.geo-energy.org Hydropower: http://www.hydro.org Solar: http://www.seia.org Wind: http://www.awea.org Editor’s Note Visit the RenewableEnergyAccess.com jobs board to find out who is hiring in the renewable energy industry.
