3 Reasons Continuous Learning Matters in Power Engineering

When it comes to a career in any of the fields of engineering, one thing is true: change is constant. A successful engineer knows that continuous learning is the key to maintaining expertise in their field and meeting the needs of their business.

Here are some of the recent advancements in the field of power engineering, and how Clayton State Continuing and Professional Education can help you adapt to those advancements.

An engineer in the field examines his computer in front of an electrical system.

1. Continuous Learning Helps You Advance Your Career

Power engineering covers a variety of industries, including schools, hospitals, hotels, and manufacturing plants. They often share skills with electrical engineers, though power engineers focus on all systems of power transmission, not just electricity.

Power engineering-related jobs include systems engineer, project engineer, electrical engineer, and more. As an example, let’s take a closer look at systems engineers. If you’re wondering, “What does a systems engineer do?” the simple answer is: they solve problems.

A systems engineer is the person who monitors a project’s tasks as a whole, focusing on both the “how” and the “why” of the process while looking for ways to improve it. The salary for a systems engineer ranges from $91K to $138K per year, while a senior systems engineer salary can go up to $179K per year.

A system engineer can work on a variety of systems and projects. Clayton State’s courses can help you learn more about the system(s) of your choice to set you up for success as a system engineer. For example, Clayton State’s Power Engineer HVAC and Refrigeration Theory course focuses on the systems present in HVAC and refrigeration. These systems include commercial and industrial HVAC-R systems, chilled water systems, and cooling towers, to name a few.

2. Increased Connection = Increased Skills Needed By Technicians

As everything in our world becomes more connected, technicians and engineers need to be able to work with both older, disconnected engineering systems and new, interconnected ones. You may also be responsible for updating a system to the modern day, which requires a thorough knowledge of all of a system’s parts.

Our Power Engineer Steam Theory course helps technicians learn all of the ins and outs of steam theory and its practical applications. If you work with or plan on working with boilers, pumps, and engines, this course will teach you everything you need to know, including: the water cycle, the combustion process, basic properties of fuels, safety valves, minor boiler maintenance and repair, basic electrical theory, and ohms law.

If you’d like to expand your knowledge of motors, transformers, and generators, our Power Engineer Electrical Theory course is designed to help anyone who works as maintenance personnel in hospitals, schools, large buildings, or industry. The course material includes ohms law problems, series and parallel circuits, DC and AC motors, and AC theory. This is also designed to help you prepare for the Georgia State Association of Power Engineers Exams.

Power Engineering is rapidly changing. The integration of renewable energy and smart grid technologies is changing the way that systems operate. As the way that boilers and circuits interact with each other becomes more complex and sophisticated, it becomes more important than ever to know exactly how they operate on their own. Knowing how each element of a system is supposed to operate is key to understanding the success of the system as a whole.

3. Certification Shows You Can Adapt to Change

One of the best ways to make sure that your skills remain relevant and up-to-date is to achieve certification in your field. Clayton State’s Georgia Certificate of Authority Exam Prep course can help you achieve that certification. The Exam Prep Course covers steam theory, boiler safety devices, and the Georgia rules and regulations related to boilers and pressure vessels. With certification, you’ll have recorded proof of being up-to-date on the latest state requirements in the field.

Another way to keep your skills in shape is to make the most of your Power Engineering Community. Following news about advances in Power Engineering and keeping up with your peers allows you to maintain a modern understanding of the industry that will keep your skills in demand.

Ready to Continue Your Learning with Clayton State CaPE?

Whether you’re looking to start a career as a systems engineer, a technician looking to expand your skillset, or seeking certification with the state of Georgia, Clayton State CaPE can help. We have courses designed to help professionals like you stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry.

Head over to our full course list to learn more about each of the individual courses, and find the class that’s best for you. Spaces are still open, but they are limited, so sign up today!

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