Page 6 - TTWINov2025

Energy
Page 6 Electronic Edition: www.teachingtodaywi.com

Careers in Energ
Careers in Energyy
Solar Photovoltaic Installers workers can earn double the salary of what their
Engineering Installation and Repair Install and maintain solar photovoltaic counterparts in other industries earn.
An engineer is someone who likes to Careers systems on roofs which convert energy from Chemical Equipment Operators
solve problems. They can help make the Installers and repairers are essential to the sun into electricity for homes and busi- Operate equipment to control chemi-
nation’s electricity usage more efficient and the energy industry. They install, inspect, test, nesses. PV Power Systems engineers drive the cal changes or reactions during a production
more reliant on clean fuels. development and implementation of highly
and repair electrical or mechanical equipment. efficient grid-connected systems for Concen- process. May work on devulcanizers, steam-
Architects Control and Valve Installers and trated PV technologies. Electrical Engineers jacket kettles, or reactor vessels.
Plan and design structures like homes, Repairers can be LEED-certified and work on sustain- Chemical Plant and System Operators
offices, theaters, factories, and other buildings.
Install, repair, and maintain devices that able projects or with an architectural firm. Operate systems of machines that
Civil Engineers regulate processes in buildings. This includes Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and control entire chemical processes.
Use engineering to plan and design things such as electric meters, gas regulators, Repairers Gas Plant Operators
construction projects, like roads, bridges, air- thermostats, and safety valves. Directly supervise the activities of workers Distribute or process gas for utility com-
ports, water and sewage systems, and other Electrical and Electronics Repairers of who maintain or repair various machines, equip- panies by controlling compressors to maintain
facilities. Commercial and Industrial Equipment ment, vehicles, or buildings. May be employed specified pressures on gas pipelines.
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Repair, test, adjust, or install electronic in electrical generation facilities to coordinate Nuclear Power Reactor Operators
Technicians equipment such as industrial controls, trans- the activities of inspectors, machine setters and Operate or control nuclear reactors. May
Work under the direction of engineers. mitters, or antennas. operators, and plant operators. start and stop equipment, monitor controls,
Design, build, or repair electrical equipment, Utility Line Workers Wind Turbine Service Technicians and record data. Use emergency procedures
like circuitry or components. As companies Construct and maintain the transmission Inspect, adjust, or repair wind turbines. when necessary.
look for ways of reducing utilities costs, and distribution equipment and facilities that They may correct electrical, mechanical, and
new employment opportunities may arise for deliver electrical energy to homes and busi- hydraulic problems. Petroleum Pump System and Refinery
engineering technicians who can recommend nesses. Line workers install, service, and Operators
solutions for improving production efficiency. Operate systems that refine petroleum.
repair electrical lines in the case of weather- Production Careers May specialize in certain types of systems,
Electrical Engineers related outages or other disruptions. gauging or testing oil in storage tanks, or reg-
Use engineering to research, design, Heating, Air Conditioning, and Production workers in energy are mostly ulating the flow of oil into pipelines.
develop, or test electrical equipment and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers employed in power plants, often combining the
systems. May oversee the manufacturing Work on heating, cooling, and ventila- duties of operators and technicians. Due to their Source: O*NET Online — www.onetonline.org
or installation of systems. Talents may be tion systems in home and office buildings. high technical skills and union contracts, these
applied to connecting wind farms and solar May repair or install HVAC equipment. As
panels to the grid. Career specialties include demand for energy-efficient equipment grows,
energy engineers and photo-voltaic (solar HVAC mechanics can become involved in the
cell) systems engineers. installation and maintenance of small scale WPS Hosts Career Fair Continued from Page 5
Electronics Engineers renewable technologies.
Use engineering to research, design, Industrial Machinery Mechanics
develop, or test electronic components and Repair, install, or adjust manufactur-
systems for commercial, military, or scientific ing equipment. May take machinery apart
use. May design electronic circuits for things when there is a problem and repair or replace
like telecommunications or aerospace controls. broken equipment. As demand for energy
Industrial Engineering Technicians increases, new employment opportunities can
Work under the direction of indus- arise for machinery mechanics that can repair,
trial engineers to design processes to make install, or maintain wind farms and pipeline
better use of resources at work sites. Design distribution systems.
the layout of an industrial or manufacturing Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
workplace to make production more efficient. Helpers
Mechanical Engineers Assist maintenance workers with instal-
Use engineering principles to design lation, maintenance, and repair work. May
tools, engines, and other mechanical equip- supply tools or clean work areas. Some
ment. Oversee installation, operation, and workers may be employed in the energy
equipment repairs. Can identify efficiency industry in maintaining and repairing Students also used drones with thermal “Working outside with your hands can
opportunities in commercial and industrial plumbing, heating, or residential and com- imaging cameras to identify air leaking out of be rewarding, and helping resolve an issue
facilities and calculate estimates of savings. mercial electrical systems to make use of homes or buildings. can really make a customer’s day,” said Kurt
solar-derived hot water. The energy career fair is one of several Sheedy, lead distribution mechanic — WPS.
Nuclear Engineers
Conduct research on nuclear energy and Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay WPS initiatives to support students and “The mock systems helped students make the
nuclear waste disposal. They work on prob- Electrical and Electronics Repairers provide opportunities for careers in the energy connection to what they see in the real world,
lems related to how nuclear energy is used, Inspect and maintain electrical industry. The company works with technical and showed them that a rewarding career is
and how to dispose of nuclear waste. equipment in power generating stations, colleges on energy-focused career programs, closer than they may have originally thought.”
substations, and in-service relays. This occu- visits with students at college job fairs, and WPS hosted its energy career fair with
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators pation can be involved in solar installation partners with educational and career devel- help from several industry and educational
Run or maintain equipment that provides and maintenance. opment organizations. WPS recently began partners.
utilities to building such as power plants, a youth apprenticeship program to provide Article courtesy of Wisconsin Public Service
schools, hospitals, and residential buildings. valuable industry experience to area high Corp.
school students.