University of Wyoming energy programs promote career paths close to home
Few post-secondary programs can boast a 100% placement rate.
But one of them is the undergraduate in energy resources management and development at the University of Wyoming (UW).
Since 2016, every one of the program’s graduates have either been employed or commenced graduate or professional studies within six months of graduation.
“Demand for energy is growing in the U.S. and around the world, so there are going to be jobs,” says Dr. Holly Krutka, executive director of the School of Energy Resources at UW, located in the city of Laramie, 25 miles from the Colorado border.
“The way I look at it, our entire society is founded on having reliable energy and affordable energy. Energy is not going anywhere,” she adds.
The School of Energy Resources was created as a hub for all things energy related at UW. It offers its signature undergraduate degree as well as a minor in energy, which allows students to select courses that complement another field of study such as accounting, engineering or marketing.
“We also have the nation’s first undergraduate certificate in carbon capture, use and storage, and a land administration certificate,” Krutka adds. “These are certificates students complete on top of their undergraduate degree that give them something of a specialty.”
The school is committed to evolving its programs based on industry trends; for example, a new certificate on nuclear energy science is in development.
“Our goal is to grow our offerings so that anyone, no matter what discipline, no matter what major they take, has access to energy-relevant coursework,” Krutka notes.
At Enbridge, we’ve seen how UW’s energy programs are attracting students into the energy field and building potential in youth.
UW also supports new energy technologies—a significant focus for our company, and an area we invest in every year—by preparing young people to work in emergent energy.
In recognition of its important work, we recently awarded the UW Foundation a Fueling Futures grant of $10,000 to amplify student learning opportunities through the School of Energy Resources.
Funds will be used to support experiential learning. Students will visit energy sites and attend conferences with industry professionals to begin to grasp “the size and scale of the energy sector,” Krutka explains.
“(Experiential learning opportunities) are really impactful on their education,” she adds. “It makes what they’re learning in the classroom much more tangible. It helps them understand what they want to do in their career and start building relationships.”
Significantly, UW’s energy programming is motivating new graduates to stay in Wyoming to live and work. UW’s energy programming is giving young Wyomingites a viable career path close to home.
“Traditionally, we’ve said our biggest exports are coal, oil, gas and our young people,” Krutka says, noting Wyoming has seen a decline in its youth population in recent years.
“So that’s been really exciting for us to see—graduates wanting to stay and find jobs here in the state,” she notes.
“Our programs are setting them up for success, at home in the state of Wyoming.”
