Important Jobs in Energy Industry

According to a Wall Street Journal article, one of the innovations that seems eligible for an award in the next few years or decade is that of finding new fuel technologies. In the energy industry, one of the main issues is the horror of oil running out. The fear of this natural resource becoming obsolete is a very real problem. The new trend in energy is the push for alternative energies or better technology to make existing ideas for energy happen. As the article explains, some companies such as Sun Catalytix Corp. and Amyris Inc. have developed quite unique sources of energy and the young men and women who could take those ideas to the next level or help in creating the technology to make those energy resources accessible are a new asset to companies. I expect that jobs in research and development are increasing as companies fight for the title of the most innovative and powerful company in energy. New college students or grad students who have spent time on new energies and understand more about the science behind the machines needed to produce new energy forms are an asset to companies now.
I believe that the largest issue that is preventing corporations from breaking into new energy sources is technology. Nuclear energy has been known about for quite some time but the technology to properly store the waste is preventing many nations, such as the United States, from switching over to it, although parts of Europe are already ahead of us in nuclear energy. This is the same issue with other ideas, with more backing from having the proper technology then people might have more faith in new energy. Jobs for engineers and researchers are a major aspect of the energy industry as companies need to keep up with new and more productive technology and practices.

- Caitlin McGonnigal