What engineering degree should I pursue?

I'm aiming to go into the energy industry when I graduate from college (I'm a junior in HS right now). I know for sure that I want to be an engineer, and the area that interests me most is the generation of electricity. My Mom works at SONGS (San Onofre Nuclear Generation Station) with a mechanical engineering degree and my dad has a major in Physics.

The reason I want to go into the electricity sector is:

  1. It interests me.
  2. I believe switching from fossil fuel generators to 100% solar/wind/nuclear (thorium, fission, fusion)/hydro will be the greatest challenge of my generation.
  3. People want electricity more than they want food. The job stability in this area should be great.

I'm just looking for any insight from other engineers. Should I get an electrical engineering degree to keep my options open, or should I specialize in a specific area, such as a nuclear-based degree? Is the outlook for nuclear better than the other methods?

Also, AMA about the San Onofre Nuclear Generation Station if you want.

Posted Mar 25, 2012, 1:09 AM UTC

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