The Exponential Potential of Careers in Energy
Careers focused on energy are experiencing exponential growth. In fact, infrastructure employers will need to hire about 17 million replacement workers and 15 million new workers over the next decade, according to Brookings data. That’s a whole lot of jobs, with a whole lot of opportunity. Career seekers often consider career opportunities directed to a segment of the industry (solar, wind, nuclear, electric, etc.); while that can be useful, it’s far more practical to consider the skills you have and those you want to develop to power your possibility in an energy career. Many of the skillsets industry professionals develop are transferable among areas like industrial development, operations, management, and business – and across industry generation sources like nuclear, hydropower, natural gas, solar, and others. The interconnectivity of the energy industry means employees generally have portable skills, useful to their company and other businesses as the industry evolves. This means there is no right or wrong place to start your professional journey – allowing you to get into energy anywhere that fits your interests and aptitudes.
Start by figuring out what makes you tick. Eager to make a tangible impact by contributing to the development and adoption of energy solutions? Want to be at the forefront of innovation and technological advancement? Are you a natural problem solver? Perhaps you have a head for business functions like marketing, law, IT and cyber security? Check out some of these diverse career paths available across the energy industry.
Technician
Are you a problem-solver with technical skills who likes to put pieces together and keep processes, systems, and machines running smoothly – all with an eye on safety? Then a job as a technician might be for you. By installing, maintaining, and repairing equipment, such as solar panels, wind turbines, hydroelectric generators, high-voltage equipment, transformers, or energy control systems, you make up a core team of people who keep these mechanical components humming. You are also essential in preventing downtime and ensuring continuous, reliable power for people who need it every day. To become a technician, you can earn as you learn through a variety of training opportunities, including apprenticeships. And the current high demand need for technicians promises to continue and grow, especially since these skills can be used in traditional energy positions, as well as with new, emerging technologies. If you prefer to learn from lived experiences, rather than a textbook, consider becoming an industry technician – there are hundreds, perhaps thousands of types of technicians. Learn more about stable, reliable career paths for technicians in these fields:
Engineer
Designing and maintaining energy systems and infrastructure can be an incredibly rewarding career where reliability, safety, machinery design, and economical operational support are key focus areas. There are many fields of expertise in this science and technology focused career. Electrical engineers work with power generation, transmission, and distribution facilities from various sources, including fossil fuels, nuclear energy, and renewable energies. Mechanical engineers design and optimize mechanical systems and equipment at power plants, refineries, and other energy facilities. They may also research and develop new technologies that improve energy efficiency and reduce environmental impacts. Civil engineers are crucial in designing, constructing, and maintaining infrastructure like power plants, pipelines, and transmission towers, as well as selecting sites, acquiring land, assessing environmental impact, and ensuring regulatory compliance. Chemical engineers are involved in extraction, refining, and purification of fossil fuels, as well as development of alternative fuels and renewable energy technologies. Environmental engineers work on projects related to air and water quality, waste management, and pollution control in energy facilities. Engineers are essential in these fields:
Skilled Trade Roles
Producing, storing, and distributing energy is highly technical. So, too, are many of the careers in the broad energy ecosystem and accordingly, the industry employs a high number of skilled trade (or craft) workers. 11% of the workers in the energy industry are represented by a union or covered under a project labor or collective bargaining agreement, 1.5 times greater than the private sector average. Common skilled trade positions include electricians, welders, pipefitters, utility workers, laborers, manufacturers, and others. Employment in most skilled trade positions takes extensive training, largely offered through structured on-the-job skill development, generally requiring several years to attain. These skilled trade roles are another strong career path for technical thinkers, those who enjoy problem solving and have an aptitude for complex and technical challenges. While unions are prevalent in the industry, it should be noted that not all skilled trade roles are associated with a union. These positions are most readily attained by those completing some kind of pre-employment training programs, including Apprenticeship Readiness Programs. The National Association of Building Trade Unions offers a lot of useful information in this area. Skilled trade roles are available in all sides of the energy industry, find roles in these fields:
Project Manager
Not everyone has technical aptitudes, but that doesn’t mean there’s not a host of professional opportunities available. Energy companies are businesses. Accordingly, they need business professionals – like accountants, marketers, attorneys, IT and cyber professionals, HR experts, trainers, and an array of other team members. For some reason, those pursuing jobs in business don’t always connect their professional interests with careers in energy. That’s a missed opportunity as working in energy checks off so many of the “dream job” qualities career seekers want. Project managers are in demand in these fields:
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