Switching to a Career in the Energy Sector: What to Know

Collaborative Post

Photo by Image Hunter from Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-person-holding-a-white-paper-near-the-green-leaves-13092784/

If it feels like it’s time for a career change, the energy industry offers a lot of opportunities. There are many types of roles, from heavy machine operator to business analyst, and a wide range in between. Among the benefits are job stability, given the essential nature of energy, a respectable income, and having a direct impact on the environment and economy. Whether your background is in engineering, finance, IT, or even marketing, there are positions available that can make use of a diverse skill set.

This guide focuses on what to know before transitioning into the energy sector, from job types to required skills. This info can help you identify how your existing background can fit into a successful energy career, better understand the roles that are growing in the industry, and connect you to resources that can help you make the career transition.

Understanding the Variety of Jobs in Energy

Renewable Energy

For example, the number of renewable energy roles has increased from 7.3 million in 2012 to 13.7 million in 2022. This growth comes from massive investments in solar, wind, biofuels, and other renewable tech options. Plus, as technologies like solar PV and wind turbines become cheaper and more efficient, more projects are doable, driving more jobs in manufacturing, operation, installation, and maintenance.

That means there are more jobs opening up and more diverse roles. That makes transitioning into the energy sector a great opportunity. With growing demand, there’s a greater likelihood of being able to move between areas of the industry, too, and move up the career ladder. As more roles can bring more competition, though, it’s important to stay informed and prepared to first make the transition into the sector smoothly.

Traditional Energy

Oil, gas, and utilities are the major areas of this subsection of the energy sector. While renewables are expanding, traditional energy still powers most of the world, so jobs in this area continue to be in demand.

Among the newest traditional energy jobs are those who specialize in the latest tech, whether it focuses on automation, lowering emissions, or another area. As energy systems continue to get more refined, there’s a need for software developers and cybersecurity experts, among others. There continues to be a demand for professionals in public administration, sustainability consultants, and others who can help companies and governments shift to cleaner energy systems.

Support Roles

While often not the first roles many people think of regarding the energy sector, support positions are the basis of the sector. Only with these people can projects go smoothly, from planning to financial aspects, meeting regulations, and being successfully maintained. These positions will continue to expand as the energy sector becomes more complex.

Among the positions are financial analysts and others in accounting. Banking professionals are also highly sought-after. Also important are people to coordinate manufacturing, shipping, and operations for energy projects. These jobs can range from logistics managers to coordinators and analysts. Energy companies also need sustainability professionals to ensure compliance, track emissions, and work toward net-zero goals. If you have worked in compliance, data analytics, or corporate social responsibility, your skills are highly transferable.

Photo by fauxels from Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-and-woman-near-table-3184465/

Required Skills to Successfully Switch to Energy Jobs

You might be thinking to yourself that you don’t have an energy background, so how can you do this work? You don’t necessarily need an energy background to enter the field, so making the transition is definitely doable if you want to get into the exciting industry now. However, there are certain skills that are becoming more and more valuable, helping you feel more prepared to apply for jobs.

Technical and Analytical Skills

Having basic technical knowledge can get you further in roles in the energy sector. While you may not have an engineering degree, you can still understand how energy systems work. That helps you quickly understand the job’s duties because you already know many technical terms and concepts.

Basic coding is good to have for certain project managers, and all will go further up the career ladder by understanding how energy generation and distribution work. Online courses, certifications in energy technologies, and short coding workshops can all be helpful, depending on the position you want to apply for.

Also, energy jobs increasingly rely on people to make decisions based on data. You must interpret data, spot patterns, and make the appropriate recommendations based on what you see. Training in data analysis and performance tracking, as well as having a basic understanding of energy audits, is all helpful. Doing so can make you successfully transition into the energy sector.

Business and Project Management

Being able to lead a team well and manage resources is a must for those who want to be a project manager in the energy sector. Having experience in doing so can set you apart from other job applicants.

Examples of skills to brush up on are budgeting, scheduling, and team leadership. Consider how you embody these skills well when preparing for an interview for a job you apply for at https://blog.energyjobsearch.com/. Energy projects are often large and complex, with many stakeholders, so demonstrating in the interview how you have reduced risk, improved processes, and kept projects on track in the past is important. If you are looking for formal training, consider certifications in project management.

Sustainability Education

Understanding sustainability principles can take you far in this industry. Understanding environmental regulations, as well as green energy initiatives and trends, is helpful. Overall, you must show the employer that you can help them meet ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) goals. After all, companies are measured by environmental and social impact, in addition to profits.

There is a lot to think about as you transition into the energy sector. It’s an exciting time with a lot of openings in a range of roles. With many different career paths available, job stability, and the opportunity to make a real difference, you can have a satisfying work experience. By understanding the variety of jobs available, keeping up with key skills, and applying for positions that fit what you’re looking for, you can better make the career transition.

—End of Collaborative Post—

✨ New Series: How to Become an Early Riser

Discover key methods to make early rising a habit
How to wake up early + energized every morning
Morning routines for health + success

View Series Playlist

Free self-development courses
👇

Tap on any of the courses below to start learning how to:

boost your productivity (withGTD),
get focused (with Deep Work),
design a successful + fulfilling life (with The 7 Habits course),
or learn the art of influencing others (with the How to Win Friends & Influence People course.)