How to Get a Job in the Energy Industry

Our modern lives depend on reliable and cost-effective energy being widely available. Renewable energy is the way of the future and the energy sector is booming as a result. If you’re ready to energize your career, check out the energy industry! The strongest candidates in the field have great attention to detail and strong critical thinking abilities.  Download JobFlare today and prove to employers that you’ve got the skills it takes to succeed!

Energy Industry Statistics

• As of 2017, there were more than 4 million Americans working in the energy sector.
• Since 2016, more than 300,000 new energy jobs were added, accounting for 14% of all jobs created in the US this year.
• There are more jobs in renewable energy than in oil, gas, and coal combined.
• By 2030, the world-wide number of jobs in the renewable energy sector could triple to 24 million.
• The number of solar energy jobs is growing 12 times faster than the average field in the US.
• The two fastest growing jobs are in the renewable energy industry: solar panel installers (projected to grow 105% by 2026) and wind turbine technicians (projected to grow 96% by 2026).

Top Trends for the Energy Industry

• Renewable Energy Industry Expansion
• Energy Savings as a Service
• Improved Solar and Wind Energy Storage Capacities
• Waste-to-Energy Business Models

How to Break into the Energy Industry

1) Go Green – The depletion of these resources means the deletion of the jobs created by them. To stay ahead of the curve, go green! Solar, wind, water, and nuclear energy are all renewable resources. Each of these industries has projected growth for and beyond, while the fossil fuel industry has been in decline for years. The green and sustainable energy sectors are a solid bet when it comes to job security.

2) Get Social – Each energy sector has at least one widely recognized organization that you can join. Once you figure out which one you’d like to work in, get involved with your local chapter. It’s an amazing way to expand your professional network and stay up-to-date on all the current trends. For example, if you’re interested in working with solar energy, join the American Solar Energy Society! They organize conferences, start community initiatives, and even offer volunteer and internship opportunities.

3) Gain Experience – Across industries, your experience is what will help you stand out to recruiters and hiring managers. But gaining experience can snowball into a chicken-and-the-egg conundrum. How can you get experience for a job if you can’t get a job in the first place? Fortunately, it’s not as hard as it seems! Scout around for volunteering initiatives you can get involved in with renewable energy advocacy groups like the Sierra Club and try to land an internship with a local energy business. It shows employers how passionate you are about the industry.