Biofuels represent a move toward renewable energy resources which are becoming staggeringly popular since it is so economically feasible as well as highly-efficient. In 2010 the worldwide production of biofuels hit 28 billion gallons, and this production is expected to do nothing but increase. So who will be running these operations to manufacture the biofuels and to explore new sources of energy as well? It may be you. Finding a school with biofuels programs is not as difficult as it once was, but if you are looking for one, you will need to be selective and do some research, since all programs are not created equal.
The ideal program will prepare you to do more than read dials and turn knobs in a biofuel plant; it will teach you all aspects of the biofuel process, wet and dry ethanol production, and chemical processing, as well as process control. You can leave the program as a highly-skilled technician with much sought after abilities and experience. Although the program should include a combination of classroom instruction, and interactive online training, there should also be a large dose of hands-on exercises and on-the-job-training to get the real-world experience employers will be looking for.
Items that should be included in any biofuels program would be an emphasis on the business end of the overall field. This would include sharpening critical thinking and decision-making skills as they pertain to the renewable energy industry, and even entrepreneurship. This combination of experiences will make for a better-rounded professional and will also give you the skillset needed to climb the ladder to success in your chosen field. Industry partners should have an impact on the learning process, too by insuring that the curriculum is always up-to-date and the information and skills being taught are still relevant to the biofuels industry.
Choosing to go into a biofuels program shows a lot of foresight, since the field is expanding so quickly and shows every sign that it will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. You can become a part of a vital industry which is not only profitable, but which is helping to reduce the reliance on oil as a fuel by providing a renewable energy source which is much more eco-friendly.
