Picking a career that’s the best match for your personality and skills is a keyway to ensure long-term satisfaction with your industry. By ensuring you love the job you choose, you can reduce the likelihood of burnout. One industry that has had a number of exciting developments in the last decade is energy.
With global renewable-electricity capacity expected to rise more than 80% through 2026, it’s clear that there’s no better time to break into this field.
What Is The Energy Industry?
The energy industry as a whole is a large and all-encompassing term referring to the large network of companies that play a role in the production and distribution of energy across the country and world. Currently, over 80 percent of the country’s energy infrastructure is owned by the private sector, but this doesn’t hinder job opportunities in the field.
In fact, renewable energy jobs rose by 700,000 in a single year alone to a grand total of nearly 13 million. Jobs within this industry can vary greatly, with the most prominent being involved with the energy grid, fossil fuels, laboratory research for the future of energy, energy software development, and more.
Best Locations To Find Jobs In Energy
While energy jobs are available around the country and around the world, there are specific areas where more jobs will be prevalent. One of the best locations to find energy jobs is to ask around with employers in the energy corridor of Houston, along with renewable energy locations in New York and Florida. Additionally, California has a growing market for energy jobs that can make it one of the best places to seek out work.
Benefits Of Working In Energy
When considering entering a new industry, it’s important to look at the various benefits to be had by being in that field. The energy industry comes with numerous prominent benefits including:
- High demand for the product equates to better job security
- Growing industry means more jobs will be created
- The ability to bring about real change in the world
- You have the ability to lay the foundation for future generations
- There is an increased focus on diversity and inclusion in the field
5 Top Jobs To Consider Applying For
With the energy industry outlined, along with some of the key benefits, it’s important to find a job that actually resonates with you. Below are some of the top five jobs in the energy field to consider applying to:
1. Nuclear engineer
Nuclear engineers specialize in designing or developing nuclear equipment including reactor cores, nuclear batteries, radiation shielding, and more. They also test whether certain levels of nuclear material are acceptable or exceeding safe levels, related to nuclear fuel and other areas.
2. Solar energy technician
Solar energy technicians have a unique career path in which they install photovoltaic solar panels, sometimes called PV panels, that covert sunshine into energy. They may also work with solar thermal panels that convert the energy from the sun into heat.
3. Renewable energy consultant
Renewable energy consultants are perhaps the most unique and least known on this list. Somebody working in this field works directly with clients to reduce or eliminate the various environmental impacts that their business may have on the environment. Members of this field may work locally, nationally, or even globally depending on the scope of the organization who hires them.
4. Wind farm site manager
Electricity generated from the wind is one of the older types of renewable energy that humans have developed. A wind farm site manager essentially tackles all lead operations and maintenance in an effort to ensure work is being carried out safely and effectively. They will also perform maintenance work on wind turbines and for general operations.
5. Atmospheric scientist
Atmospheric scientists are the final recommended job in energy on this list. They study the weather and climate, specifically by compiling reports and forecasts that are built off data, all while developing new data collection with unique instruments.
Accelerate Your Career Path Today
When choosing a career that meets your needs, consider looking at the intersection of your passions and your interests to find a job that meets your desires. The energy industry is unique in that the jobs offered within it vary in skills required and the overall theme of work performed. If you think work in the energy industry may be right for you, don’t hesitate to reach out to various job boards in your area.
