Evening news programs, web reports, and talk shows are flooded with stories about the growing global climate crisis. Fittingly, college students across the country are making their environmental concerns their career concerns, and colleges are rapidly developing new programs to meet the burgeoning demand. At the forefront of students' interest is alternative energy.

New energy programs as colleges and universities are aimed both at students interested in working directly with renewable energy sources, as well as those who would like to integrate renewable energy ideas into other careers.

For individuals interested in a thorough study of energy, Arizona State University - Polytechnic campus will debut an alternative energy technology concentration in the fall of 2007. Students majoring in electronics engineering technology can opt to add this concentration to their bachelor degree program and pursue an in-depth study of energy sources such as solar, ocean, wind, biomass, and geothermal energy. In addition, ASU was awarded a $900,000 National Science Foundation grant in early April 2007 to further develop more programs and courses in alternative energy.

San Juan College in Farmington, New Mexico, offers an associate's degree and certificate in renewable energy with a concentration on photovoltaic system design for students specifically interested in solar energy.

At Wilbur Wright College in Chicago, the new occupational certificate in building energy technologies is designed to give students an overview of new energy technology that they can use in careers in building construction.

Sustainability is another growing interest of students, and this fall, Dominican University in San Rafael, California, will launch the Green MBA program. The Green MBA is a traditional master of business administration program that places an emphasis on sustainable enterprise. Eco-commerce and green marketing are just two of the courses offered in this innovative program.

As educational options in alternative energy and sustainability increase, so do career opportunities. According to the United States Department of Energy Careers in Renewable Energy Fact Sheet, careers in energy include research and development opportunities in areas such as wind energy, solar power, hydropower, geothermal energy, and bioenergy for engineers with a variety of backgrounds. Opportunities also exist from professional and skilled workers with the knowledge and capability to design, construct, and operate new energy products.

Students interested in turning their concerns for the environment into exciting, rewarding careers can find a host of more information throughout EnviroEducation.com, as well as from our partner site, EngineeringSchools.com.