UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The entrepreneurship and innovation minor (ENTI) at Penn State introduced the energy transition cluster, focused on energy innovation, this semester.
The new cluster will help prepare undergraduate students to develop an entrepreneurial mindset and apply innovative strategies in the energy space. Students will have the opportunity to learn the basics of earth and mineral sciences, broaden their financial knowledge and leave the program with a unique combination of skillsets from which to build their careers.
Jesse Reimink, Rudy L. Slingerland Early Career Professor of Geosciences, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, and director of the new cluster, said energy and minerals industries are undergoing a rapid and dramatic shift, and opportunities abound for Penn State graduates. Reimink explained that students do not need to have a background in earth and mineral sciences to earn an ENTI minor in the cluster. He said students enrolled in business programs can learn the science at an applied level, while maintaining expertise in entrepreneurship. Conversely, students already enrolled in the physical sciences could earn a minor while learning about finances and entrepreneurship.
“It’s an industry in turmoil, and I think that’s exciting for business-minded people or people who know the science well and want to get a financial skillset,” Reimink said.
Generally, students will take a 3-credit foundational course in one of the departments, followed by two 3-credit courses that align with their specific interests. Most students can take "GEOSC 401: Geoscience Entrepreneurship," as the capstone course to earn the nine-credit ENTI minor.
Students can choose from several different energy transition tracks from departments in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences:
- Geosciences
- Geography
- Energy and mineral engineering
- Materials science and engineering
- Meteorology and atmospheric science
“The ENTI minor has been interested in collaborating with the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences for a few years, and we’re glad to see a cluster come together with Jesse’s help. It’s an exciting industry.” said Jamey Darnell, clinical associate professor of entrepreneurship, Smeal College of Business, and director of ENTI. “For a new academic program, the energy transition cluster came together quickly, and I think that’s a testament to their enthusiasm and commitment.”
The ENTI minor is part of the Center for Penn State Student Entrepreneurship and Penn State Undergraduate Education.