Estherville and Wind Energy and Turbine Technology (credit, job openings)

[Elated Tech]

Hello,

I am currently looking into going back to school to help change careers. The Wind Energy and Turbine Technology program at Iowa Lakes Community College, Estherville has piqued my interest and I am curious about a first hand opinion of the town and school.

Some of my big concers of the town are costs of housing and part time job openings. I am an experienced automotive technician, but I am very open to any active job which isn't too repetative. Basically I would need to help pay for my room and board while being a full time student.

I am also curious about the quality of the school. They charge $120 per credit hour when other schools are almost half. Is the quality of the program worth the additional cost?

They claim a 100% job placement rate. Has anyone reading this attended the school and been hired on as a wind turbine technican? What are the high and low points of the profession?

Thanks in advance,
Jason

[pepe1]

I do know the technical programs at Iowa Lakes C.C. are excellent. The Wind Energy program is rapidly expanidng (with new facilities on campus) and the only program like it that I am aware of in this region. I would not be surprised at all if they do indeed have 100% placement in the wind energy program given the explosion of wind farms here in Iowa. $120 per credit hour is cheap when you consider the quality of their technical programs.

I don't know a whole lot about Estherville, other than it is a fairly small town, yet a small regional hub for services in that area. I'm certain there are part-time opportunities there. I can't imagine housing being very expensive in Estherville.

[chris1987]

Elated Tech.
I recently just started looking into the Wind turbine technology Degree offered at Iowa Lakes Community College. I found your thread while looking for more info on the town/school. If you don't mind my asking have you been able to find any good information on the school/community?
Did you end up enrolling?
From what little information I'v found it seems like this is one of the better programs offered.
Any advice/infomation you could provide would be great.

[MastermindDSM]

If you wanted to go further the U of I has a engineering program for turbines as well. Of course this will be much more expensive.
Wind Power Management - Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Iowa