With the continuing advancement of technology, there will never be a shortage of consumers energy jobs. Listings of energy job opportunities may include aerospace engineers, civil engineers, electrical design engineers, energy scientists, pipeline engineers, relay engineers and turbine engineers, to name a few. There is a constant need for research and improvement in the energy industry as well.

While entry level jobs in the energy industry are available, managerial and executive positions require a degree. Additionally, it is important for individuals in the energy industry to remain apprised of current news and trends in order to perform their job more efficiently. The following resources will help you to obtain the necessary energy jobs education and training:

1. Gain a degree through online or classroom courses to pad your resume when seeking top-level energy industry employment.

2. Energy careers require an up-to-date knowledge of trends that articles and publications may provide.

3. Further your energy employment by attending conferences and trade shows for the industry.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Obtain a degree for energy industry jobs

As with any industry, you will need a degree in energy in order to have a successful career in that field. There are several different career paths to choose from in the energy industry, so you should consider whether to obtain a broad range degree or a degree in a specific energy specialty. Even after your have a degree, it won't hurt your resume to attend additional courses throughout your career to further your education.

I recommend: The U.S. Department of Energy offers information on courses in the energy industry available throughout the nation. Rutgers Energy Institute offers courses in energy science, energy engineering and energy policy.

Subscribe to publications that can enhance energy industry careers

Many organizations offer magazines or online articles about trends and news in the energy industry. Reading these articles regularly will help you to maintain a current knowledge and develop new ideas that may further your career.

I recommend: Visit the Science Daily website for articles on matter and energy, including energy technology and engineering. EcoWorld offers articles on various energy issues affecting the global community. IEEE Xplore offers the Power and Energy Magazine for electric power professionals.

Attend conferences that discuss issues that affect energy jobs

Conferences and trade shows in the energy industry will help you see what resources are available to assist your company, as well as finding out what trends and applications work best. These events will help you to brainstorm new possibilities for energy conservation and optimal output.

I recommend: Access the list of exhibitors available at BuildingEnergy09, a trade show organized by the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA). Attend the MIT Energy Conference.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Make sure the courses you attend can provide accreditation toward a degree for your energy industry employment. Sometimes a business offers courses that are only informational and don't result in a degree or certification.

Energy employment shows no signs of slowing down and if this is the career path you've chosen, then you've chosen wisely. Because people will always need energy in some form or another, jobs in the energy industry remain relatively stable.

In most areas, it's not very difficult to get entry level energy jobs. It's simply a matter of learning when the companies are hiring. However, this doesn't mean that you should not take your job application seriously. There can be a lot of competition for consumers energy jobs and you should make sure you stand out from the crowd.

Some things that will help you gain energy industry employment:

1. Apply for energy jobs when you are still young. This industry tends to reward longevity and if you can get in while you are still young, you'll be able to advance your career over the long term.

2. Receive a 4-year degree. You do not need to have a degree to apply for entry level positions, but having a degree can make you eligible for manager and executive level positions.

3. Have a professionally written resume to apply for energy job opportunities. This is sure to make you stand out.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Search job boards for employment in the energy industry

There are many websites that cater to those looking for jobs. Unfortunately, some of the major job boards are too broad and it can be difficult to find exactly what you're looking for. When possible, it's best to search for jobs on boards that focus on a particular industry.

I recommend: Professional Energy Jobs lists energy-related jobs in a variety of categories, including accounting, human resources and science jobs. EnergyCentralJobs.com has a searchable database that lists jobs in your area.

Seek out alternative energy jobs if you are interested in the environment

Many people believe that the resources that we typically use for energy are finite and will eventually run out. This makes renewable energy jobs more attractive. With a job in alternative energy, you will be on the cutting edge and ready to continue working long into the future.

I recommend: Sign up for an account at Green Energy Jobs. Then you'll be able to browse and apply for many different types of jobs. Greenjobs.com also helps job seekers find a job that is a good match for them.

Use energy job recruitment companies to help you find a job

It can be difficult to search for a job day in and day out. Many people prefer to have someone else do the hard work for them. A recruiter can send out your resume on your behalf and match you with companies that are looking for new workers.

I recommend: Apply with Energy Placement to find a job that's right for you. If you are looking for executive positions, you should find an executive recruiter to work with. Korn/Ferry International has experience placing executives into energy jobs.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Be aware the energy industry jobs may require long, hard hours, especially during a power outage or natural disaster.

The world's energy appetite is huge, and its appetite just keeps growing. As industrialized countries move forward, and as former third world countries become more industrialized, there is no more precious resource in the world than energy.

Choosing a career in one of the energy industries can be a wise and strategic move. Before you begin your job search, however, you should familiarize yourself with some energy industry job terms. Here are six terms to get you started:

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Renewable energy engineer

As nations are looking for more energy independence to meet the needs of their citizens and their industries, more and more research and resources have been invested in renewable energy. Renewable energy engineers study sustainable power resources, including wind, solar, geothermal and biofuel. If you are concerned with the environment, or if you want to secure an energy job with an eye on future trends, renewable energy engineering may be a job for you.

I recommend: The Oregon Institute of Technology offers a Bachelor of Science degree in renewable energy engineering.

Biofuel chemist

Biofuels is another arm of the energy industry that has gained momentum in recent years. Biofuel chemists specialize in converting biological material, usually in the form of plant life such as corn and switchgrass, into fuel.

I recommend: Simply Hired illustrates the growth in biofuel chemist jobs and has continually updated biofuel chemist job listings.

Solar power installer

The earth is bombarded with vast amounts of solar energy every day. Solar power systems turn the sun's power into electricity; solar power installers are the ones who install individual systems for businesses and individuals.

I recommend: Akeena Solar describes how solar power systems work and how they are installed.

Hydropower engineer

Hydropower has been around for some time, but recent advances have made it a more reliable and widely-used energy source than ever before. Using dams to harness the energy in moving water, hydropower provides about 10% of the electricity in the United States today. Hydropower engineers design turbines and make sure the turbines are functioning correctly.

I recommend: OnlineFreeEBooks.net has a great example of what hydopower engineers deal with on a daily basis.

Reservoir petrophysicist

A reservoir petrophysicist studies oil-bearing rock formations in order to determine the likely extent and quality of oil reservoirs. Oil companies use this information when planning drilling projects and oil rig placement.

I recommend: The Bureau of Economic Geology goes into great depth regarding the activities and role of reservoir petrophysicists.

API

The API, or American Petroleum Association, is the largest petroleum trade association in the United States. Its membership includes representatives from every facet of the petroleum production and distribution industry, from exploration to refinement to marketing. If you're looking for a job in the field, it's a good place to start.

I recommend: Petrostrategies provides a list of petroleum trade associations along with a succinct explanation of each.

With interest in harnessing alternative forms of energy at an all-time high, jobs in the energy industry are one of the few areas of the economy where you can find a shortage of employees. With this wide-open job market likely to continue for at least another decade, it’s in your interest to consider one of the many energy careers that may be open to you.

Renewable energy jobs are opening up across the country. If you have the proper training, you can get one of them. As you look at energy jobs news and trends, you can find a number of points of discussion. They include:

1. A shortage of training facilities for energy industry employment for certain sectors, such as wind energy jobs.

2. More energy jobs may be available in one region of the country than in another.

3. The effect of governmental regulations on power jobs.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use energy jobs news and trends information to look for jobs

The need for energy is going to grow because there are a growing number of consumers. Energy jobs, particularly alternative energy jobs, are going to be available as the United States begins to switch from traditional forms of energy to renewable resources. Read all the information you can find about the growth of jobs in the energy industry. Find out what kind of training you need for energy industry jobs and where to get it.

I recommend: Find out what it takes to get wind energy jobs from the information at Boston.com. Climate Ark also has information about energy employment news. Read the news articles on Greenjobs.com. It has links to other energy job resources, as well.

Read newsletters to find energy jobs

Power companies may publish newsletters on their websites or mail them to customers. Industry specialists also are good sources to find reliable information about energy jobs news and trends. Most newsletters are available to you at no cost.

I recommend: You can sign up for four different newsletters at World of Renewables. Choose from "World of Renewables," "World of Wind Energy," "World of Cogeneration" and "World of Photovoltaics." You can also sign up for its RSS feed if you wish to get information about energy jobs as it becomes available. Albert Energy provides quarterly newsletters with updates about energy job opportunities.

Follow energy jobs news and trends on blogs

Blogs are a good way to stay current with news and trends because the RSS feed sends you up-to-the-minute reports on changes within the industry. Find blogs that interest you and sign up.

I recommend: A subscription to the blog at RenewableEnergyWorld.com can keep you informed of news and employment in the energy industry, not only on a national level, but on an international level as well. CyberTech has blogs about energy industry careers from leaders in the energy industry.