At any point in time, thousands of jobs are available for graduates in the energy sector across the globe. These jobs vary in experience requirements, but many require energy degrees instead of or in addition to work experience to be selected.
What degree should you choose? The answer to that question is complex and relies heavily on personal preferences.
Do you want an energy career after graduating, or would you instead work in a manual labor position first and get hands-on experience? Would you prefer a technical or administrative position?
In this article, you’ll learn about the different types of degrees in energy, the career skills they teach, and essential points to consider when choosing the best degrees for you.
Understanding Degrees in Energy
Energy degrees are not just a requirement to be checked to get a job. They are essential in preparing you for a career in your chosen energy field. A degree can help you get a better-paying job and open up managerial opportunities.
The most common educational opportunities are a one or two-year diploma or associate degree from a vocational or technical school, which can lead to a job as an energy technician.
A four-year bachelor’s degree can open up opportunities to be an engineer or in energy management.
Further education is available from a Master’s degree after an additional one to three years or certificates to update or expand on your skills.
The Important Points of Choosing the Right Energy Degree
Choosing which energy degree to pursue can be difficult, but answering a couple of key questions can help you decide.
First, consider the practical questions:
- What elements or aspects of the energy industry interest you?
- What is the job demand in that energy sector?
- Does it offer a competitive salary that you can live off?
- Are you willing to relocate to an area with a more significant job demand?
Living in an area that focuses on traditional energy, such as areas with heavy oil and gas drilling, may mean a demand for graduates in that field.
It may also mean an increase in renewable energy jobs to offer an alternative and help the sector transition to use solar or wind energy to power its equipment.
Next are questions to ask yourself about the degree needed to pursue that career:
- How much time and money can you dedicate to education?
- Is the degree or a comparable program offered close by?
- If it isn’t, can you relocate or complete the degree online through distance education?
- Is the school accredited?
- Does the school offer industry connections and practical experience?
Not every school is created equal; some schools are better adapted to the energy sector than others.
If you already work in an energy-related industry, consider asking if your workplace would be willing to help you achieve a higher level of education. This could be through sponsorship or paid time off from school.
Top Degrees for a Career in Energy
Degrees are offered in different breadths, length of program, and funding that is available.
Schools can vary what degrees they offer and what they call them but this list includes the most popular types of programs for energy production, management, and policy.
Engineering
There are several different disciplines that prospectives pursue in engineering and that translates into many different majors.
Many occupations require at least a Bachelor of Science in Engineering, with some preferring a Masters level. Energy majors that many businesses accept include:
- Electrical engineering
- Mechanical engineering
- Civil engineering
- Chemical engineering
- Petroleum engineering
Each of these degrees offers a specialization for certain aspects of engineering. However, they all share a focus on understanding energy infrastructure, power plants, and how grid systems work in a society.
If a particular aspect interests you, such as a job working with electrical or chemical elements, then that engineering degree may be the best option.
While plenty of avenues exist and are readily available for graduates wanting to enter an energy career, there are direct approaches.
Some universities now offer a degree in energy engineering, a multidisciplinary way to enter the energy sector as an engineer that covers a variety of information rather than focusing on just one.
Energy Management
Energy is a big part of the economy. A degree in energy management examines the business aspect of energy, bridging how energy systems work with how they can be used in different business financial streams, including market trends, energy economics, and corporate strategy.
Depending on the area, this one to two-year degree might be offered as a separate degree path prioritizing energy management, either through a degree, certification, or diploma or as an intensive course.
Practical or on-the-job training is often included, such as learning to calibrate machinery properly, calculate energy loss, and perform digital accounting.
Some schools may offer a specialization in energy management as part of a Bachelor’s or Masters in business.
Energy management comes under many different names. Also consider:
- Energy asset management: This diploma focuses on the oil and gas industry
- Bachelor’s of Business Administration with a focus in Energy Management
- Energy Studies
- Land Management programs
Sustainability and Environmental Science
If you want to address sustainability in the energy sector or are passionate about the future of the environment, a degree in environmental science may be a good path to choose.
These degrees, which may vary in name, address the different forms of renewable energy, the importance of conservation, and how climate policy affects the industry.
There will be some crossover with public policy and many environmental scientists engage with the energy sector in the form of environmental consultants.
Part of a degree in environmental science is learning how to work with utilities, governments and small businesses using traditional or renewable energy sources to ensure what they are doing is having a positive or neutral impact.
Public Policy and Law
With a background in the energy sector, a degree focused on public policy and law will teach about regulations, environmental policies, and government initiatives currently affecting the companies that create and distribute energy.
The degrees may offer specialization in renewable or traditional energy sources and include discussions on how businesses transition from fossil fuels.
Renewable vs Traditional Energy Pathways
One of the key differences between a career in fossil fuel and renewable energy sectors is how each sector is growing to fit new policies and legislation.
Renewable Energy
Bioenergy is still the leading renewable source, but the sector also includes solar, wind, geothermal, hydroelectric, and nuclear power.
This is a newer sector, but it is growing quickly. In the past ten years, governments have begun to offer tax incentives to companies that embrace more environmentally friendly energy options. The growth has led to energy efficiency and installation careers becoming more prevalent.
Even sectors that rely on traditional energy sources are switching some of their equipment to renewable energy sources or starting the energy process with a renewable source.
Traditional Energy or the Oil and Gas Industry
Despite the oil and gas industry’s transition towards renewable energy, many jobs are still available. From drilling to administration and research and development, a stable and long-term job market is available for graduates who want to work.
However, it’s essential to consider your views on fossil fuels and their environmental impact. You should use these feelings to make the right choice.
You may choose to work in the oil and gas industry but for a company switching from fossil fuels to renewable energy.
Industries and Job Opportunities for Graduates
With an appropriate degree in energy or energy-related studies, graduates can work for the government, utility companies, consulting firms, on and off-shore oil and gas platforms, and facilities management.
You may also be hired to oversee energy efficiency projects, environmental consulting, or a career in engineering with adjacent skills.
Skills You Gain from Energy-Related Degrees
Energy-related degrees can prepare you by offering soft and technical skills.
Soft Skills
- Communication
- Leadership
- Teamwork
- Problem-solving
Technical Skills
- Project management
- Knowledge of mechanical and electrical energy systems such as lighting, boilers, and HVAC)
- Carbon accounting
- Energy calculations and utility rates
Conclusion
Making an informed decision about which energy career is best for you can be difficult. It’s not something to undertake without first researching and understanding your choices.
Asking potential universities how they prepare graduates is a great start. Check out other job breakdowns or read job descriptions.
Knowing what you want and what is on offer will make choosing the best energy degrees for you more straightforward and can lead to exploring a sector that still offers secure and well-paid potential in both the traditional and renewable energy sectors.
