Schools offer renewable energy programs as demand from companies grows
By Erin Ailworth | The Wall Street Journal
Jazirae Duncan always wanted to go to Texas Tech University and major in something related to science and technology.
But when she graduates this month, it won’t be with a degree in petroleum engineering or any of the majors traditionally offered by this springboard school to the energy industry—it will be with a bachelor’s in wind power.
“It’s going to be the future,” said Ms. Duncan, 21 years old. “Companies are really starting to promote renewables.”
Across the U.S., universities that have long offered degrees related to the fossil-fuels industry are starting to offer degrees and concentrations in wind and solar technologies. Companies such as Tesla Inc. TSLA 0.41% are seeking recruits with specialized skills in renewable energy, even as some oil-and-natural-gas companies pull back on hiring graduates in fields such as geology as they automate more tasks.
