Is Energy a Good Career Path for Individuals? The In-Depth Analysis

Are energy careers a good option for you? Some may say no, but others may find this work fulfilling and rewarding. But we are here to remove this confusion by giving you a complete insight into the energy career path. 

If you wish to know whether an energy career is a good path to follow then keep reading because we have prepared a step-by-step and well-researched guide to help you make the right decision. 

Are you ready to be enlightened? Then here we go!

Overview of the Energy Industry

The Energy industry is a dynamic field that mainly deals with the production and transmission of energy resources. The industry currently includes oil and gas production, coal mining, nuclear power generation, and the distribution of electricity in the form of electricity generation, transmission, and retailing. The energy sector is considered an evergreen industry and the growth of the energy sector is promising.

How? Here comes some proven statistics:

According to a global energy case study, the energy sector is rapidly evolving, with new technologies and services emerging to meet the needs of consumers. The global energy market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.6 from 2021 to 2030, making it one of the most important and rapidly growing markets in the world

That shows how the energy sector is booming and it is also high in demand. So if you are an energetic and career-oriented person, then energy is the field for you.

Qualification Required to Work in Energy Sector

There are many steps required before one can enter the energy field. The first thing to do is to acquire knowledge and education in a field related to energy. 

The electrical, mechanical, and civil engineering departments of colleges and universities offer courses on aspects of energy engineering. 

To give you some more ideas, the following are the prerequisites for acquiring basic to advance knowledge in the energy field:

1. Undergraduate or graduate level education in a relevant field is required.
2. A Bachelor’s degree in engineering or science is required. This provides the foundation for understanding and developing advanced knowledge in the energy sector.
3. Having knowledge of mathematics and statistics will be a bonus.
4. Resourcefulness and problem-solving skills are essential in the energy sector.
5. Experience in different energy fields or companies will always be a plus to gaining an edge in the energy sector.

Yeah, nothing will be easy when it comes to a career in energy. The energy sector is something you can only join after you have the knowledge and education required. 

But remember skills come first before education and knowledge. So, if you have the skills you can always build upon them by acquiring the required knowledge and education. 

And once you have all of the three, then there is no stopping point for you to succeed in your energy career.

Benefits of Working in the Energy Sector

Energy is the backbone of any country. Without energy, we do not have any civilization at all. So you can easily imagine the opportunities that await in this field. But what can you get if you choose energy as a career path? Here comes the list of benefits you can avail yourself:

1. High Pay – The energy sector is now one of the most lucrative industries and you can easily be a part of it with your skills. As a beginner in this industry, you will have the opportunity to build up your career that has been fit for the high-pay era.

2. Career Advancement Opportunities – The field of energy is vast and varied. So, if you are looking for career advancement then this is the best option for you. You can easily switch from one kind of work to another one in the energy sector as per your wish and preference.

3. Broad Scope – The energy sector is offering a wide range of opportunities for professionals in different fields. This includes mechanical, electrical, and civil engineers, geologists, finance experts, petroleum engineers, and many more professionals. So, if you are a professional with special skills and expertise, then energy is the place for you

4. Work-Life Balance and Flexibility – If you are planning to work in the energy sector, then you can easily get work-life balance and flexibility. You can avail yourself of flexible working hours and also work from home if your company is offering it. So, if you are looking for a balance between your job and life, then energy is the best branch for you.

5. Expand Experiences – The energy sector offers many opportunities in the field of innovation, science, and technology. You can undergo short-term training courses to learn new things and also learn about the newest technologies. So, if you are a student and wish to work in this field, then energy is the field that will be a good start for you.

11 High Paying Jobs in Energy Industry 2022

The energy industry is a booming business, with high payouts for employees. But the question is, which are the most rewarding jobs in the entire energy industry? 

Here we have listed 11 high-paying jobs in the energy industry that you may be interested to apply for if you believe that energy is the sector for you and want to be a part of this industry:

1. Petroleum Engineer

Average Salary: $114,532

Petroleum Engineers are responsible for planning and overseeing the production, storage, and transportation of oil. Petroleum Engineers also keep a close watch on the oil refineries and operating plants to ensure that they are working efficiently. There is a large demand for petroleum engineers, and with this career, you can easily earn good money.

2. Petroleum Geologist Engineer in Oil and Gas

Average Salary: $116,224

The job of an Engineer Geologist is to study the geology of any region and find oil, gas, and mineral deposits. Geologists analyze the rocks, soil, water, and other available data to understand the makeup of a region. 

They then use this information to help companies find oil and gas deposits. If you have an interest in geology, then oil and gas careers might be right for you.

3. Petroleum Refining Engineer

Average Salary: $117,778

The job of a refiner is to take crude oil extracted from the underground reservoir and turn it into the desired products. The refining processes that the refinery uses will depend on the type of crude oil being processed. 

A refiner needs to be knowledgeable about the entire refining process. There are different types of petroleum refiners and you can select any one of your interest.

4. Chemical Engineer

Average Salary: $120,420

Chemical Engineers work in laboratories where they design and create new materials. They use chemistry and physics to figure out how materials interact with each other. 

The work of a chemical engineer can be anything from working in pharmaceuticals to creating new chemical products. There is a lot of scope in chemical engineering where you can explore yourself and do something that you want.

5. Civil Engineer

Average Salary: $122,219

Civil engineers design and supervise construction projects. They are responsible for designing and building roads, bridges, dams, and other large projects. 

Civil engineers work to make sure that all the parts of a project fit together correctly. Sometimes they are in charge of construction and sometimes they do design work.

6. Wind Farm Site Manager

Average Salary: $130,456

Wind Farm Site Managers are responsible for the planning and supervision of a wind farm project. If a wind farm is set right, it will greatly affect the environment. 

Wind farm sites need to be approached carefully as there are lots of things to consider when designing and building a wind farm. If you think that you can handle the task, then this might be the right job for you.

7. Atmospheric Scientist

Average Salary: $136,367

Atmospheric scientists study the air that surrounds us. They use their skills to understand the climate of our planet. Their work can help solve many problems in the world like pollution and global warming. 

They are responsible for researching and coming up with new ways of solving these problems. Are you the one who is willing to fight pollution and make our planet a better place to live? Then atmospheric science might be the job for you.

8. Nuclear Engineer

Average Salary: $139,000

Nuclear Engineers research, design, and test the safety of new nuclear reactors. They also work to make sure that existing nuclear reactors are running as safely and effectively as possible. 

Nuclear engineers also help control radioactive waste that comes from nuclear reactors. If your interest is in nuclear technology and you want to get more involved in shaping the future, then nuclear engineering could be a great choice for you.

9. Solar Project Developer

Average Salary: $150,000

Solar Project Developers are responsible for the development of a solar power plant. They work to make sure that all the parts of a solar project work together properly and without issues. They also make sure that customers are happy. 

Solar power is now a major focus of many companies and people are finding ways to generate their own energy through solar panels. If you are interested in solar power and want to be a part of this industry, then why are you still waiting? Apply for solar project developer jobs right now!

10. Power Plant Operator

Average Salary: $150,000

Power plant operators are responsible for the operation of power plants. They are responsible for making sure that the power plants run smoothly and do not cause any accidents. 

Power plants are very dangerous places and an operator has to be aware of all the safety requirements. If you think you can handle this responsibility, then apply for power plant operator jobs.

11. Data Scientist

Average Salary: $151,000

Data scientists make use of advanced mathematics and statistics to solve complex problems. Their work is often used to help companies make informed decisions on different topics. 

They are specialized in mathematics, data processing, and computer programming. They also use analytics, visualization software, and other advanced tools to find the right answer. 

If you want to give your career a boost, why not turn to data science? I recommend this job to anyone who wants to work in a field that requires advanced math and statistics.

Top 5 Companies in Energy Sector

Yes, we know with the right job, you also need info about the companies that employ people in the energy field. We have done a thorough research and here is the list of top companies in the energy sector that you can join.

1. Chevron Corporation  (Revenue = 65.37 billion USD, Employees = 42,595)
2. CMS Energy (Revenue = 6.68 billion USD, Employees = 9,778)
3. Enel Green Power (Revenue = 206.9 billion EUR , Employees = 66,279)
4. EDF Energy (Revenue = 84.5 billion EUR , Employees = 11,717)
5. Shell Corporation (Revenue = 338.025B, USD , Employees = 82000+)

How To Get Into the Energy Industry? 5 Steps to Get Started

Every one of you reading this is passionate about energy. But then how do you get started in a career related to energy? This question has bothered many people and we are here to help you out in this regard. We have come up with a 5 step process that can help you get started in energy right away.

Step 1: Be an Energy-Savvy Person

What does it mean? It means you need to be aware of the changing trends and technologies that keep coming up in this field. So keep yourself updated with the latest happenings in the energy industry. You need to be an intelligent and dynamic person with a high intelligence quotient (IQ) or else you will never succeed in this field.

Step 2: Master the Requirements For the Energy Career

It means you need to do your homework about the field of energy. Every field requires a different set of skills so you need to know what kind of skills are required for a typical energy career. This is important because you will be able to narrow down your career options if you are aware of this.

Step 3: Choose a Functional Area

A functional area is a section of a business that is maintained by a specific activity. That means, if you are into energy, you first choose one functional area to get started, and then you need to specialize in that particular area. 

For example, some people may choose petrochemicals, while some may go for power generation or transmission. But choosing multiple functional areas may not be a good option. So choose wisely.

Step 4: Never Miss the Opportunity to Fill Up the Knowledge Gap

This means you must be aware of the techniques that are being used within the industry. In order to gain a good understanding of the field, you must be well aware of the current trends and techniques. You can do this by taking your time to research and analyze the information that you come across. Then use it in the right place to show your skills.

Step 5: Join a Community of Experts

You can join various communities that are already working in the field. They will be happy to share their knowledge with you, and you don’t have to worry about learning something that is not relevant anymore. 

You can use Linkedin to identify the kind of companies and people you need to be associated with. This can help you gain a lot of experience and also make some valuable connections in the process.

The Future of the Energy Industry

When it comes to the future of the energy sector, there is no denying the fact that there is a bright future ahead. Especially when renewable energy sources like wind and solar are considered, the future of the energy sector looks promising as they have innumerable advantages over conventional sources of energy.

The growth of technology means that we can expect that the energy sector will keep on growing in the future. Another major factor is the vast demand for energy all over the globe. Since the world’s population keeps on increasing, there are more and more people demanding power.

And you can imagine a world without power can paralyze the whole world. So it is obvious that the energy demand will keep on increasing, which means the value of the energy sector is only expected to grow in the future.

Frequently Asked Questions About Energy Career Path

What skills are needed to work in energy?

In the field of energy, work can be done in different departments. These include operations, exploration, accounting and finance, business development, transportation, and storage. The skills required by a worker in a specific sector will vary depending on the type of work he/she undertakes.

Why should you consider a career in energy?

There are many reasons why you should consider a career in energy. Some of them are:

Energy is an evergreen industry, so if you are interested in work that can be done from anywhere and at any time, then energy is the field for you.

Renewable energy is one of the largest growing industries in the world. So if you want to contribute to environmental conservation and also want to be a part of this evergreen field, then this field is for you.

The energy sector is a well-paying field and can bring in huge financial returns.

What are some different careers in energy?

Here are some different energy careers.

1. Civil Engineer
2. Geologist
3. Petroleum Engineer
4. Chemical Engineer
5. Mechanical Engineer
6. Electrical Engineer
7. Aeronautical engineer
8. Financial Analyst

 and more…

Final Thoughts

The energy sector is evergreen and continues to grow making it one of the most important and rapidly growing markets in the world. With some research and case studies, I found that the energy industry has a promising future and is in high demand, and I believe it is a good career path for you to consider.

Now, what will you say about this? Do you agree with my analysis? Or do you have any views or suggestions that I should add to this post?

If you have any opinions, views, and discussions on the topic, let us know in the comments section below. If you think this post was worth reading, do not forget to share it on social media, with friends and family.