Features : Working in the energy sector

Written by Luke Berté, Editor, Graduate Prospects, January 2013

With thousands of new jobs likely to appear over the coming years, now is a great time to seek a career in the sector

The global energy industry, currently employs 135,000 people directly and 500,000 in supporting roles and is experiencing massive change right now.

Energy and oil are vital to everything that happens in our societies with the search for sustainable and renewable fuels being of utmost importance to the global community. As the world changes, the energy industry must adapt and find new ways to support the growth of an increasingly industrialised world.

 

This being the case, there is scope for plenty of young graduate recruits who are looking to break into an exciting, forward-thinking industry.

The sector largely offers up career opportunities in the areas of engineering and science, but recruits people with a wide range of skills.

If you have a degree in a different subject, you can still find jobs in commercial roles such as marketing, sales or management.

A global industry

It is a dynamic industry and requires individuals to grasp teamwork, hard graft, and understand the social and environmental responsibilities they have as workers in the sector.

the industry's needs are on a global scale so there are always opportunities to work overseas too.

The qualifications and experience required will vary, especially depending on the role and sector you intend to work in. Industry sub-sectors include:

• energy management;
• oil/petroleum; gas;
• renewables;
• nuclear;
• waste management;
• water and defence.

Professional bodies of the energy sector

If you are hoping to become an engineer or technician, you should seek professional registration with either: 

• the Engineering Council ;
• Society for the Environment;
• the The Science Council .
 

In order to do this you will need to join one of the affiliated professional membership bodies, such as the Energy Institute (EI)  and fulfil their criteria for chartered status.

What's the pay like?

The average salary in the sector can be much higher than the UK national average - especially for graduates with the necessary skills for engineering and technical roles. 

Starting salaries for graduates can range between £24,000-£32,000, as a salary survey by Hays Energy and the Energy Institute revealed.

For more information on working in the energy industry, visit www.energyinst.org

Katie Dinwiddy is the professional development team leader at the Energy Institute. She discusses the state of the industry, what skills are needed and what graduates can expect 



The ability to communicate at all levels and with a variety of stakeholders is important. Working in the sector may mean delivering presentations when pitching for new business, writing reports and attending meetings with team colleagues, external agencies and members of the public.

From negotiating energy contracts to assessing the strategic impact of new infrastructure, much of the work involved in the energy sector can be project-based. The ability to multi-task and deal with the workload in a methodical manner is helpful.

As with many sectors of industry, having good problem-solving skills, working with others, prioritise and manage your work effectively is fundamental. And no more than in the energy sector, where your work can have a global impact.

There are a number of large energy companies that offer graduate scheme opportunities, ranging from engineering and science-related roles to more commercial positions. Some also offer positions for undergraduates, helping you gain that vital work experience and maybe even a job when you graduate.