Energy is a broad and specialized field that touches almost every part of modern life. From the factories that build cars and produce lithium ion battery to the power plants that transmit it and the homes where we use it, energy appears everywhere.
Are you thinking about a career in the energy industry? You’re not alone. It’s also an industry growing exponentially every year, so there are opportunities for new entrants. It can be overwhelming to figure out which one is best for you. If you’re trying to ask, “Is energy a good career path?” check out detailed analysis.
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Pros of a Career in Energy
Is energy a good career path? It touches everything from transportation to medicine. An energy career can help you make a difference in the world.
Job opportunities are plentiful in the energy sector.
Many jobs in the energy industry include engineering, operations, sales, and finance. Based on your interests and skills, there is always a job opportunity in the energy industry for you.
- Engineers – An engineer is responsible for designing, constructing, and operating many of the country’s critical systems. There are a variety of jobs available, ranging from renewable energy engineering jobs to mechanical engineering to power generation engineering and many other types of engineers.
- Operations – Operations is the day-to-day management of an energy system. Operations could be an excellent fit if you’re interested in a highly hands-on job. If you’re more interested in operating and working with machines, you might consider a MillWright job.
- Sales – A job in the energy industry involves managing customer relationships and promoting an energy company’s products and services. If you’re interested in a position that requires customer service, sales could be the perfect fit for you.
- Finance – If you’re interested in a job focusing on managing money, finance could be the right field.
Environment For Change
The energy landscape is changing, and with it, the job market. This disruption will require quick, adaptable workers to manage the change and help the industry move forward. The job market will change even more in the next decade. The number of job openings in the energy sector is projected to grow. Many job titles that existed in the past will have different job descriptions and tags in the future. Some job titles in the energy industry include Welder, Transmission system operator, Wind turbine technician, Electrician, Surveying technician, Geologist, etc.
Good Pay and Growth Potential
An energy-focused degree can lead to a variety of high-paying job titles. How much you make as a professional in the energy sector will depend on the field and title you choose. The average pay for energy professionals varies and is determined by location, experience, and skills. Energy professionals who go into fields like engineering earn a median salary of $76,000 per year. Best paying jobs in energy include geoscientists and petroleum engineers, who can make $83,680 and $130,850, respectively. And electricians can make triple the pay of a CPA or accountant.These professions are expected to grow significantly in the next decade.
Helping Society
Energy professionals are helping solve the world’s biggest problems, like global climate change and resource scarcity. An energy career is a source of social impact, offering the opportunity to make critical societal contributions. Energy professionals can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, create new energy sources, change energy usage patterns, and more.
Cons of a Career in Energy
The industry has a lot of competition.
The energy sector is large, growing, and full of opportunities, which is good and bad news for those seeking a job. While the increase in demand for energy has created a greater need for employees, the fierce competition for those positions will keep salaries lower in the future. Energy is also an industry with a high turnover, with employees often staying at a job for less than a year before they leave.
The average salary for entry-level employees is low.
Energy salaries are often high for those with advanced degrees and experience, but entry-level positions usually pay very little. The high standards for applicants and the demand for energy professionals’ talents are both tied to their pay. Besides that, the industry is so competitive for entry-level positions, the salaries for these jobs are often low.
The work can be incredibly stressful.
Working in the energy sector often means dealing with high-stress situations. Energy workers often find themselves on the front lines during natural disasters, helping to restore power to impacted areas. It’s not uncommon for energy workers to experience high-stress levels, especially those who work in emergency services. That is particularly true for those who work in nuclear power and developing countries.
Final Words: Is Energy A Good Career Path?
If you’re interested in a career in any career, you should research the job overview of the position you are interested in to determine. While it can be challenging, energy is an important industry that touches everyone. With so many different career paths in energy, there are many options to choose from. Before you decide on a specific way, Jobandedu recommends that you ensure good preparation, ready for long hours and hard work. However, if you’re up for the challenge, you can make a real difference in the world through your energy career.
