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Energy Studies

Career Opportunities in Energy

 

The energy industry encompasses a variety of products and services including electricity, natural gas, oil, and renewable energy technology. It examines issues of energy acquisition and energy trading worldwide. The focus on deregulation and the privatization of energy has increased throughout the world. Multilateral partnerships examining impact on the environment and sustainable development have resulted in policy recommendations and expanded markets for renewable energy alternatives.

Professional involvement in the energy industry encompasses researching and analyzing policy, understanding policy trends and directions and examining regional and market trends. Those who work in this field are often working on developing and operating energy infrastructure projects, marketing energy efficiency improvements and providing community outreach related to projects or plants. Given the focus on corporate responsibility, employees in this industry are often monitoring environmental and regulatory compliance, integrating energy management services and assessing global impact, and advocating new approaches toward management, development and technology. The field includes dealing with issues such as natural gas storage, production and transportation assets, marketing and trading physical and financial energy products including natural gas, power, crude oil and associated commodities and acquiring or developing power plants for the competitive market.



Career Paths and Entry Salaries



Some career paths in the energy field may target an engineering or business background, but many opportunities exist that target a wider scope of marketable skills, experience, and training. Career paths in policy making, policy analysis, and policy research often do not require the technical background, but knowledge of the energy field and an understanding of finance, development, and the environment can increase competitiveness depending on the interest area. Knowledge of particular regions and languages can also be marketable skills in the energy field. Gaining internship experience that is relevant to the area of interest provides exposure to technical aspects while further developing analytical and communication skills. It also provides an essential foot in the door that can help with employment prospects and advancement within energy companies.

Many private sector employers, especially large oil or gas companies, tend to invest in the development of career employees and promote from within. Depending on the size, nonprofits may operate similarly with opportunities for further career training. Willingness to travel can be an advantage, with gaining specific experience in project or program management important for long-term career advancement.

A person entering the public or nonprofit sectors as a research or policy assistant might expect to move to analyst or technical consultant and into project or program management. The career path within a federal government agency such as Department of Energy will be similar to other policy positions in government. Opportunities exist for recent graduates and other entry-level positions in areas such as economic and policy analysis.

In the non-profit world, positions focus on general research of energy trends, international energy policy formation, training, and arranging international collaboration between utilities or other energy entities. Because of their relatively small size, all professionals are expected to participate in a wider range of activities than is true in large for-profit companies, though this will include the occasional administrative task. Except for larger non-profits, advancement often comes from moving to another organization. Experience in one sector can lead to a career path in one of the others.

Salaries vary depending on the qualifications needed and the employer. Entry-level salaries range from the upper $30,000s in non-profit organizations, government and research organizations to the upper $60,000s in engineering firms and consulting companies, with the upper range targeting those with more work experience or technical knowledge. Salary differentials may exist for candidates who have technical or scientific degrees or significant work experience in the field, on Capitol Hill, or in federal agencies.



Qualifications Necessary/Application Procedures to Enter Field



Successful professionals will need to possess excellent writing and communication skills, particularly the ability to be persuasive, display client management skills, write business plans and market ideas. Because of the differing tasks involved, it is necessary to be flexible and train in multiple areas. Those employed in this field will need to be able to gather and synthesize information, including quantitative data. A strong background in economics is helpful, and an engineering background will be seen as a plus. In addition, employers are seeking candidates with an understanding of the policy process, and in-depth knowledge of regional or specialized issues. For those working with international clients, language skills may be required.

 

 Sample Employers

 

For-profit firms:

 

Non-Profit Organizations:

 

 

Government:

 



Demand and Future Challenges of Profession

 

The demand continues for candidates with business backgrounds as a result of consumer utility industry deregulation, advancements in alternative energy sources and a growing demand of current sources of energy in developing countries. Graduates can still find growing opportunities in marketing, management and planning positions. Other opportunities exist in consulting companies that typically advise foreign governments on establishing regulation, planning for transmission, and restructuring distribution companies.


Though private sector employers have tended to hire graduates with engineering or technical backgrounds, opportunities exist for graduates with experience in specific geographic regions, language skills, policy analysis, marketing, public affairs, and business development. Openings can also occur in strategic planning or external relations departments for candidates with congressional or federal experience. In research and consulting organizations that serve the federal government, there is some demand for science and technology specialists, especially for those with expertise in alternative energy and technology transfer.

 
Environmental impact and increased attention to energy conservation continue to provide new and challenging opportunities for graduates with an interest in technology and policy issues for private industry and governments.

A combined interest in energy, environment, and development is also a growing area for nonprofits and international organizations with programs or whole divisions examining implications for sustainable development. In the private sector there is also an increased focus on corporate responsibility as it relates to sustainable development.

 

Resources for More Information


Print Resources

  • WetFeet Guide to Careers in Oil and Gas

  • Plunkett’s Energy Industry Almanac

Energy Associations

 

Links

Publications

Edited for the use of SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY, SCHOOL OF Maxwell graduate students and alumni by the staff of the Office of Career and Alumni Services. Written by Career Directors from the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs


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