The industry as a whole
Energy is big business. Oil and gas still constitutes the most lucrative market in the world, whilst nuclear and other renewable power sources are gearing up for the switchover we’re all told must come in the next 20 or 30 years. There’s a lot of debate about what the future of our home-grown energy will look like, and companies need to hire the best people to make that picture clearer.
Great Britain has always championed new forms of energy production. The Industrial Revolution, for instance, pioneered the use of fossil fuels to power homes, factories and offices on a scale that was previously unthinkable. Although other countries have taken precedence with global energy production since then, we’re still very much at the forefront of new technologies, investing billions in eco-friendly alternatives.
Now, UK organisations must keep up with current energy demand as they bring the renewable vision into focus. Juggling these priorities will require all the help they can get from talented graduates.
Routes in the energy sector
The skills appropriate for a career in energy are extremely broad, indicative of the many strands contributing to a solid production cycle. There’s a place for practically anyone with a mind for designing, building, distributing or representing energy.
Engineers are needed to make power plants function. Advisors must oversee the legalities of an investment, making sure it complies with environmental targets. PR, increasingly, bridges communities and corporations so they’re on the same page. A strong sense of unity links all of these jobs together, combining academic knowledge with the practical ability to implement energy solutions for the real world.
Graduates with a relevant interest in science or maths can form some part of the energy chain. You might be more comfortable dealing with numbers, people or physical materials – regardless, there’s a role for you out there, especially with a relevant degree under your belt.
What roles, exactly?
We’ve touched on this briefly, but careers in energy are incredibly mixed. Here are just a couple of routes you might consider:
- Mechanical Design Engineer: Working in a team to see a mechanism or material through to its final application, usually with heavy tools and advanced assembly techniques.
- Marketing Assistant: Preparing the public face of an organisation, marketing staff write emails, deal with press releases, and generally make people aware of the positive impact a company has on their lives.
- Contracts Manager: The individuals who make sure a project is being completed to contracted standards, whether that’s a newly constructed site or a fresh supplier deal.
- Wellsite Geologist: When oil and gas still have to be obtained, geologists study a well’s topographical characteristics, ultimately deciding when drilling should be stopped or started.
- Environmental Consultant: On hand to advise what the best course of action might be to prevent flooding, contamination, pollution and serious disaster.
Did you know…?
- £200bn was predicted to be invested in the UK sector as a whole by 2020, and £37bn of that has gone to renewables, as of 2015.
- Wind turbines are set to double their contribution to the National Grid in four years, reaching 20% of the gross total.
- The amount of nuclear energy accounted for today (around 11% of the world’s electricity) is the equivalent of what it took to power the entire planet back in 1960.
Summing up
You don’t have to be a young Einstein to have a great career in energy. While there are plenty of roles available for scientific and engineering masterminds, understanding people is also useful for an industry that needs the public on its side. Energy developments affect all of us, so keep refreshing our Bright Network careers page to see how you can be part of the solution!