How do I enter the renewable energy industry?

Chemical or mechanical engineering to enter the energy production industry?

• Having trouble over which one to pick. I think I'd really enjoy chemical but want to get into the energy production industry eg. Fuel cells and don't know if mechanical would be better to get into this feild.

• Answer:

  As a Senior mechanical engineering major I can tell you that what I've learned so far wouldn't translate to "fuel cells" very well. Thats not to say that some engineering firm that specializes in energy production wouldn't hire a mechanical engineer since most companies completely retrain their engineers, but it isn't a typical career choice for mechanicals. My advice though if you do choose chemical engineering is to make sure you look in to the typical careers that they get after graduation because that is a fairly specific degree whereas mechanical engineering can crossover into many different industries Bottom line for curriculum: Mechanical Engineers - Broad understanding covering, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, strength of materials, statics and dynamics, manufacturing, CAD. I can't say for sure what Chemical Engineering covers, but from what I've heard it deals a lot with reactions, equilibrium and composition which is a very specific focus and unless you're 95% sure thats a field you're going to want to work in after 4-5 years of grinding through the coursework, I'd look at a degree that can apply to many different industries, like mechanical engineering. Hopefully a chemical engineering major can speak up and shed some light for you on what to expect since I can only give you one side of the story. Good luck with whatever choice you make though!