In today’s world, energy careers are an important part of the global economy. From renewable energy to energy efficiency, there is a wide variety of energy careers available in the modern job market. Whether you’re a student interested in pursuing a degree in energy science or an experienced professional looking to make a career switch, understanding the different types of energy careers will help you make informed decisions about the industry. In this blog post, we’ll explore the various types of energy careers, the qualifications needed to pursue them, and the potential income associated with each job. We’ll also discuss what to expect when entering the energy field, and provide resources for further exploration. By the end of this post, you should be better informed about the types of energy careers available and the steps necessary to pursue them.
16 types of energy careers
Here are 16 different types of energy careers:
A welder’s primary responsibilities include operating machinery to repair or create various metal tools, structures, or other items. They are primarily responsible for planning layouts using blueprints, measurements, or drawings, welding beams, pipelines, and other components, and inspecting welded surfaces for potential errors or problems.
To manage generators and control systems for businesses that access power grids, transmission system operators typically work for utilities. They control the flow of electricity from transmission lines to the majority of industrial plants by working with equipment and company personnel. Other responsibilities include keeping an eye on power converters, keeping an eye on circuit breakers, and reviewing forecasts to predict power needs.
Installation, maintenance, and repair of wind turbines are the main responsibilities of wind turbine technicians. Other responsibilities include checking the performance and structural integrity of turbine towers, scaling towers to inspect or repair turbines, troubleshooting any mechanical, hydraulic, or electrical systems on turbines, and gathering information on turbine performance for later use.
An electrician’s primary responsibilities include setting up, maintaining, and designing power systems in a range of settings, including factories, homes, and commercial buildings. They may also be in charge of testing electrical systems, installing electrical fixtures, equipment, and wiring, as well as using blueprints and diagrams to diagnose a variety of electrical issues.
A survey technician’s main responsibilities include collaborating with surveyors and mapmakers to calculate and collect data that is used to measure the Earth’s natural features. They use this collected data to create topographical maps. They frequently carry out tasks like gathering data using GPS and GIS, measuring, recording, and computing data sets, and creating computerized images and drawings of the designated locations to be used in the maps.
Water treatment professionals’ main responsibilities include installing water purification tools in various communities to give residents access to clean water when they need it. Other typical job responsibilities include conducting water quality tests, inspecting facilities to make sure their water is free of pathogens, diseases, and hazardous chemicals, and educating the public about how to recognize clean and unclean water.
A nuclear power reactor operator’s main responsibilities include inspecting and adjusting the reactor’s control rods to make sure it receives enough electricity to function properly. Additionally, they are in charge of keeping an eye on equipment such as cooling systems, turbines, reactors, and generators. They also start and stop equipment when it is in use, record any data these machines may produce, and investigate the causes of any abnormalities that may occur on the equipment.
Primary responsibilities: Solar panel installers work closely with solar panels and other related systems to convert solar energy into electricity. Their primary responsibilities typically include mounting and installing panels on rooftops, maintaining solar panels and wires, and adhering to the necessary safety precautions to ensure they safely install and remove each panel.
The earth and its processes, history, and materials are the primary subjects of a geologist’s studies and research. In order to maintain a healthy and sustainable environment for both people and animals, they use this information to understand how it affects the environment. Other duties might include coming up with novel ways to gather information and conduct studies without harming the environment, running tests and surveys to examine various geophysical and geological data, and giving environmental protection advice to governments and construction firms.
To help businesses reduce waste, increase productivity, and cut costs, industrial engineers design and construct production processes and layouts. They may also be in charge of creating control systems to reduce economic and environmental waste throughout the company, reviewing production schedules for an organization and making recommendations, and designing facility layouts.
Petroleum engineers’ main responsibilities are to locate naturally occurring reservoirs that contain petroleum deposits. Additionally, they devote time to creating methods for economically and effectively extracting petroleum. Reviewing geological formation data to develop long-lasting extraction techniques, assessing fresh reservoirs to create low-cost drilling strategies, and creating computer-simulated models to depict drilling apparatus and formations are additional crucial tasks.
Chemists’ main responsibilities include conducting experiments on various chemicals to evaluate quality control or develop novel products. Many of them carefully examine the chemical composition of various materials frequently used in manufacturing to keep goods safe for consumers. Other duties could include planning and advising on routine test procedures, creating and improving products, formulas, and analytical techniques, and closely coordinating with scientists and engineers to interpret and carry out tests.
Primary responsibilities: Environmental engineers develop novel solutions to typical environmental problems like climate change, environmental sustainability, and clean drinking water by applying engineering, biology, and soil science principles. They frequently create plans to better manage air and water pollution, public health, and recycling. Creating environmental investigation reports, creating environmental protection projects, and performing quality-control checks based on scientific data are additional responsibilities.
A mechanical engineer’s main responsibilities include producing, developing, designing, and evaluating a variety of mechanical devices, including robotics, transportation equipment, and heating and cooling systems. Additional important duties include carefully analyzing issues to determine how mechanical and thermal devices can address specific issues, designing mechanical systems using computer-aided design software, and looking into various equipment failures to provide accurate diagnoses.
Primary responsibilities: Nuclear engineers conduct various types of research to develop tools, systems, and procedures to find applications for various radioactive materials in industry and medicine. Writing operational manuals to be used in nuclear plant operations, conducting experiments to test the efficacy of nuclear products, and developing nuclear equipment like radiation shielding, reactor cores, or related instrumentation are just a few of their duties.
Primary responsibilities: Power plant operators perform a wide range of tasks to guarantee the security of all operational electrical power equipment. They are also in charge of monitoring various power generation equipment pieces while they are in use, performing maintenance and repair tasks, checking meters, control boards, and gauges to make sure they meet operational requirements, and testing equipment pieces to make sure they adhere to safety regulations and maintenance protocols.
What are careers related to energy?
Energy-related careers involve utilizing sustainable resources to complete tasks and possibly protect the environment. To find solutions for improving energy efficiencies, reducing pollution, and conserving energy, many of these professions frequently use cutting-edge technology. There are many different jobs that focus on energy conservation or the development of substitutes, such as producing renewable electricity, creating and manufacturing clean energy homes, or managing sustainable transportation. These fields can vary from welders to chemists to electricians.
10 additional energy careers
Here are some additional energy careers you can consider pursuing:
Energy Careers | Career Cluster / Industry Video Series
FAQ
What careers deal with energy?
- Welder.
- Transmission system operator.
- Wind turbine technician.
- Electrician.
- Surveying technician.
- Water treatment specialist.
- Nuclear power reactor operator.
- Solar panel installer.
Is energy a good career path?
We’re pretty sure the jobs in the expanding renewable energy sector will convince you that energy is a good career path and that it also gives you the chance to work on a contract basis. Many who work in the industry choose this option.
Does the energy industry pay well?
In the energy sector, pay is highly competitive. Professionals in this industry need specialized skills, knowledge, and training. Therefore, the typical hourly wage for skilled or technical energy jobs is $25. 60. Compared to the national median average hourly wage, this is 34% higher.
What are three careers associated with electricity?
Electrician, line worker, electrical installer, and power plant operator are typical electricity jobs. Each career in the electric industry has unique educational and training requirements. Some, for instance, call for a high school diploma, while others demand technical training or college work.
