Careers in the energy sector: is the future bright?
With sustainability high on everyone’s agenda, are career opportunities really booming for recent graduates? Our expert panel reveals all…
There has been a seismic shift in the energy sector over recent years, leading to the creation of exciting new career opportunties — especially for recent graduates. But what prospects are there, where do you even start with your job search, and how do you ensure your application stands out from the rest?
By bringing together a panel of recent grads working in the sector, we were able to answer some of those key questions, and here’s a round-up of what we found out;
Meet the panel
James Bagshaw, Bid Coordinator, Energy Systems Catapult
James graduated in Geography from the University of Birmingham and has worked in various roles before joining Energy Systems Catapult — an independent not-for-profit Centre of Excellence that bridges that gap between industry, government, academia, and research. James leads on the coordination of collaborative bids for funding which supports the creation, testing, and implementation of energy innovations.
Nasir Balera, Graduate Trainee, Severn Trent Water
Nasir recently graduated in Mechanical Engineering at De Montford University and applied for a number of graduate schemes before securing a role as a Graduate Engineer at Severn Trent Water. The scheme allows Nasir to work across various teams and projects, working alongside experienced engineers, technical experts, and business leaders — taking on complex challenges from multiple angles.
Sam Cooper, Regulations and Compliance Assistant, Tonik Energy
Whilst completing his degree in Business Economics at the University of Liverpool, Sam completed a year in industry. After graduating, Sam applied for a few different roles before securing a position at Tonik Energy — a small company dedicated to delivering renewable energy that offsets the customer’s carbon footprint. As a Regulations and Compliance Assistant, Sam partners with businesses and project teams to provide first-line support for all compliance matters, undertaking regular compliance assessments across the business.
Opportunities
Graduate Schemes
A lot of the larger energy companies are offering graduate schemes, where you’ll have the opportunity to complete extensive work-based training across various parts of the organisation, often shadowing and supporting various teams.
If it’s graduate schemes that you’re interested in, it’s important to know that they can be very competitive. So make sure you get to grips with the recruitment process so you’re as prepared as you can be. This can be mean doing some online research, seeking a mentor, speaking to Alumni, or attending one of our employer events, where you can speak to them face-to-face about the roles and recruitment processes.
Although recruitment varies from company to company, most require you to submit your application a year in advance of your start date (September), so be prepared to apply during the autumn term of your final year with the view to start the scheme the following year — more on that here.
Smaller Organisations
If you’re not so set on applying for a graduate scheme then consider a smaller organisation. Even if the job listing doesn’t explicitly state that they’re looking for graduates, don’t be put off from applying.
Small organisations won’t provide you with the same amount of training as a graduate scheme and you’ll often be expected to get stuck in and learn as you go, but if you like to take on projects then definitely give the smaller organisations a chance!
For example, Sam (Tonik Energy) completed a placement year in a larger company and soon realised that he wanted to work in a smaller organisation that would provide him with more opportunities and responsibilities.
The Job Search
Work Experience
The best time to look at placements and work experience would be in your second year or summer internships.
Just remember that some companies do require applicants to have completed a placement year with them (Mercedes for example), so if you’ve got a particular organisation in mind, make sure you do your research.
If you’re a recent graduate and haven’t done a placement year/ internship or you don’t have any work experience— don’t panic! A lot of roles don’t ask for it as a requirement, but it can be really helpful in providing you with some direction.
Mentors
If you’re unsure what you want to do but have a vague idea of what industries you’re interested in, then do try and seek out a mentor in the industry. Either by connecting through LinkedIn or through the university’s mentoring scheme.
Careers Connect
Current students and recent graduates have access to the University’s job database, Careers Connect, where employers post opportunities specifically for University of Birmingham students, where you can filter via roles/industries and sign up for email alerts.
Grad Cracker
The website GradCracker promotes STEM roles specifically for graduates and is a great way to find roles within the energy sector.
The Application Process
Covering Letters
More often than not, you’re going to need to write a covering letter or personal statement. Make sure you do some background reading and incorporate that into your application. Think about what the company does, what its aims and missions are, and get a good understanding of the role itself.
Having a good awareness of how the energy sector is evolving in the UK can also really help you stand out.
Hint: Tailor your application if you’re applying for lots of positions, don’t just fire the same application off because the the employer will see through it and you won’t get shortlisted.
Psychometric Tests
If you’re looking at a graduate scheme, it’s highly likely you’ll need to complete a psychometric test — a recruitment tool used by large companies that allows them to sift through a lot of applications quickly.
It’s definitely worth practicing or even attending one of our workshops so that you’re up to speed.
For example, Sam completed the test for Jaguar Land Rover with some assistance from his Dad who works for the company, and he was still unsuccessful in getting to the next stage of the application process.
Glassdoor
Glassdoor was mentioned as a great tool to get an insight into the recruitment process for a particular role/company. Often people will share their experience during the interview process, such as the types of questions they were asked — so it’s definitely worth taking a look.
The benefits
Values
Everyone felt that they were valued by their company, finding that they had the facilities, support, and processes in place to ensure the mental and physical welfare of their employees — which really helps to keep them motivated.
It’s also important to ensure that you agree with the company's overall ethos and values because it will ensure that you’re a good fit and continue to be passionate about the work that you’re doing.
Making a difference
Working in energy can provide you with the opportunities to make you feel like you’re making a difference, which is also a real motivator.
For example, James has been working on putting a bid together which will allow them to pilot and implement a new sustainability tool that could have really positive impacts on the sustainability of the UK.
Variety
A career in the energy sector will also provide you with a great deal of variety, whether that’s the type of work you’re doing, where you work and who you’re working with.
Nasir, for example, is rarely based in the office and gets to travel up and down the country — great for anyone who doesn’t warm to the idea of a desk job.
Top Tips
Key skills
Communication, Leadership, Innovation and Problem Solving.
These are all skills that are really valued in the sector and will help you excel in your role because employers are looking for a diverse workforce that can encourage new and innovative ideas.
Don’t give up
A sad truth about the whole process is that more often than not, you’re going to be faced with rejection. With nearly 40,000 applicants applying for the same graduate scheme, rejection is basically inevitable, but it’s important to remember that the whole process (no matter how grueling) is still really valuable. It will allow you to learn and grow from any mistakes, enabling you to improve the next time. Just keep going because it’ll be worth it when you find the role that is the right fit for you.
Don’t be afraid to move laterally
A lot of people focus on moving higher up the ranks as they gain more experience, but it’s important to consider a sideways move if it will allow you to gain more skills and experiences. Don’t limit yourself, because that additional knowledge will help you when you’re in a more senior role.
If you don’t ask, you don’t get
Don’t be afraid to ask for new opportunities and responsibilities but also don’t expect them to just fall on your lap.
For example, Sam wanted some more experience project management experience, and after asking his manager he is now leading on a new project which is great for his development and CV.
What next
Each of our panel members felt confident that they’d have career progression opportunities within the same company. For example, Sam is hoping to move into project management, whereas Nasir hopes to become a Chartered Engineer.
The government’s plans to cut gas emissions to zero by 2050 is also looking a long way off, which means that the sector won’t be dying out just yet — so it looks as though the future is certainly a bright one.
For more career support and sector insight, please visit our sector pages.
