Geothermal Education and Training

Heat up your geothermal education and training

By Nikki Davis
Geothermal education and training is an important career move for anyone planning to enter the field. Whether you are using geothermal online training, attending a geothermal seminar, or planning for a degree in geothermal energy education, finding the learning facility that is a quality match for you takes time and patience.

Since it is a specialized field, finding the right geothermal classes can be a challenge. Once you find the right geothermal training program for you, though, your career opportunities expand, and hopefully you will continue on to put your new knowledge to good use.

To decide if geothermal education and training is right for you:

1. Determine what you want the outcome of your geothermal training to become. Are you hoping to land a job right away? Are you going as part of a four-year collegiate track? What are your career plans for after college? Are you simply taking a refresher course?

2. Factor in the time cost. Will you be working full time at another job while you take night classes. Are you free one night a week so that you can take continuing education? Are you going to be a full time student?

3. Also factor in your budget.

 

Find a geothermal education degree program

Study geothermal classes through an accredited learning establishment or program.
Try: Pursue your geothermal education at the SMU Geothermal Lab. HeatSpring LLC offers Introduction and Overview, Advanced Commercial Design and Installer Certification classes. Take geothermal courses through the Stanford Geothermal Program from their Department of Energy Resources Engineering. The University of Nevada, Reno also offers classes in geothermal energy.

Find refresher geothermal courses and training possibilities

Continue your geothermal training and knowledge by attending seminars and geothermal classes.
Try: Check out the seminars put on by Massmann Geothermal & Mechanical, LLC. Trimline Design Center Inc. offers one day training on geothermal energy.

Supplement your geothermal training with industry news and career information

Consider a foundation of knowledge in the geothermal industry before committing to geothermal education and training.
Try: Supplement your geothermal education with meetings and publications from the Geothermal Resources Council. You can also find insightful industry information, including industry priorities, from the Geothermal Energy Association. Check out Geothermal-biz.com. It is part of the U.S. Department of Energy's GeoPowering the West (GPW) program. It was designed to dramatically increase the use of geothermal energy in 19 states across the western half of the United States as well as Alaska and Hawaii. There you can find helpful information for geothermal entrepreneurs, companies, Native American tribes, small businesses and homeowners on geothermal direct use and small power generation projects. Consider attending one of their events or subscribe to their newsletter. Find a wealth of geothermal science, technology and industry information at Geotherm Inc.

 

  • When looking at universities with geothermal courses, speak with both their faculty and their students. A school may be ranked as one of the best geothermal training programs, but if their students don't feel that the experience has been rewarding for them, you might reconsider the school.
  • Look for scholarship opportunities through the college of your choice, as well as through local and statewide programs.

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