So You’re Interested in the Energy Industry... What Next?

I often meet young people who tell me they're interested in energy but aren't quite sure what to do next.

I understand the feeling. I first became interested in energy when I was around eight years old, but if you had asked me then what a career in energy looked like, I wouldn’t have had a clue. Even now, a few years into my career, I’m still learning.

If you’re interested in energy but don’t know where to start, here are seven things that have helped me and that I would recommend to anyone starting out.

1. Find Your "Why", Not Just Your Job Title

One of the biggest mistakes people make is trying to decide on a job title too early. 

Instead, think about what interests you.

Maybe you’re fascinated by engineering and building things. Perhaps you enjoy creating content, analysing data and solving problems. Maybe you care about climate change and want to contribute to a more sustainable future, or you’re passionate about creating positive change through initiatives like the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The energy industry is much bigger than most people realise.

For me, I became interested in energy because I grew up in Nigeria, where energy poverty was a reality for many people. I saw first-hand how something as basic as access to reliable electricity could affect education, businesses and everyday life, and I wanted to play a part in making energy more available and affordable. Today, I work in the UK energy industry, but my “why” hasn’t changed. It has evolved to include ensuring that energy is delivered in a cleaner and more sustainable way.

That’s why I encourage people to focus on their “why” rather than a specific job title. The energy industry needs people with a wide range of skills, from engineers and project managers to communicators, policy specialists and data analysts. Whatever your role ends up being, having a purpose that goes beyond a job title makes it easier to explore opportunities, stay open-minded and build a career that remains meaningful as you grow.

2. Volunteer Before You Think You’re Ready

If there’s one piece of advice I find myself giving over and over again, it’s this: volunteer.

People often think they need experience before they can volunteer, but in reality, volunteering is often how you gain experience in the first place.

Through volunteering, I've developed new skills, built confidence, expanded my network and gained examples I've drawn on in applications and interviews. Some of the opportunities that have had the biggest impact on my career came from simply getting involved.

And it doesn't have to be energy-related.

Organising events, running social media accounts, mentoring others or supporting community projects can help you develop valuable skills, from communication and teamwork to problem-solving and leadership.

If you're looking for ways to get involved in the energy sector, organisations such as the Energy Institute (EI), Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), and local STEM outreach programmes can be great places to start.

The most important thing isn't where you volunteer; it's what you learn from the experience. Every opportunity helps you build skills, grow your confidence and learn more about yourself.

3. Go Where the Conversations Are Happening

The energy industry is constantly evolving, so there is always something new to learn.

One of the best ways to understand the industry is to attend events. Conferences, webinars, careers fairs and networking sessions can expose you to ideas, technologies and career paths.

Many organisations offer free or discounted places for students and young professionals, so make the most of them.

When I first started attending industry events, I quickly realised how broad the energy sector really is. Every event introduced me to a new technology, idea or perspective.

If networking feels intimidating, you're not alone. I challenge myself to speak to at least one new person at every event. If going alone feels daunting, take a friend or course mate with you.

You never know what you might learn, who you might meet, or which career path you might discover next.

4. Put Yourself Forward

One lesson I’ve learned is not to wait until I feel 100% ready before applying for an opportunity.

Whether it’s an internship, apprenticeship, graduate role, scholarship, training course or industry event, don’t rule yourself out before someone else has had the chance to assess your application.

You won’t be successful every time, and that’s okay. Every application is an opportunity to learn, build confidence and understand what organisations are looking for.

Imposter syndrome is real, and many young people experience it at some point. I’ve certainly had my fair share. Even when applying to become a My Energy Future Champion, I initially convinced myself I wasn’t experienced enough or the kind of person they were looking for. But I applied anyway and it has opened doors to opportunities, experiences and conversations I wouldn’t have had otherwise.

Stop disqualifying yourself before anyone else has the chance to. Put yourself forward and remember that you don’t need to have everything figured out before taking the next step.

5. Learn from People, Not Just Companies

Don’t just follow the big energy companies, follow people.

If you're interested in a particular role, look up people doing that job on LinkedIn and explore how they got there.

You'll quickly realise there isn't one "correct" route. Some people come through university, others through apprenticeships, career changes or volunteering.

Learning from other people’s journeys can help you discover opportunities you may never have considered and show you that there’s more than one way to build a career in energy.

6. Talk to People in Jobs You Don't Understand

The energy industry is full of fascinating roles that many people have never heard of, from drone operators and offshore medics to nuclear safety engineers and subsea divers.

You might come across a job title that sounds interesting but have no idea what the person actually does. That's completely normal.

If you're curious about a role, there's no better person to learn from than someone already doing it. Reach out and ask for a quick chat, whether that's over a coffee or a virtual call.

People often enjoy talking about their work and sharing their experiences, so make the most of the opportunity. Ask what a typical day looks like, what skills they use most and what advice they would give someone starting out.

You’ll gain a better understanding of the role and may even discover careers you never knew existed or realise a role you thought sounded perfect isn't for you. Either way, that's useful information.

7. Keep a Record of Your Wins

As you progress through school, university, volunteering and work, keep a record of your achievements and lessons learned.

It doesn't need to be anything fancy. A simple document on your phone or laptop is enough.

Write down achievements, projects, volunteering experiences, positive feedback and skills you've developed along the way.

You'll be surprised how much you forget.

The event you helped organise, the presentation you delivered or the challenge you helped solve can all become valuable examples in future applications, interviews and conversations.

No experience is ever truly wasted if you've learned something from it. In fact, the experience that seems least relevant today may be the thing that sets you apart tomorrow.

Keeping a record simply helps you remember it when the time comes.

Remember This

If there's one thing I want you to take away from this article, it's that there is no single path into the energy industry.

Some people arrive through apprenticeships. Others through university. Some begin in engineering, while others start in finance, communications, policy, data science or completely different industries.

What matters most is staying curious, continuing to learn and being brave enough to explore opportunities when they come your way. 

And who knows? The conversation you start today, the event you attend next week, or the opportunity you apply for tomorrow could be the first step towards a career you haven't even imagined yet.

I certainly didn't know where my journey would take me when I first became interested in energy at eight years old.

I’m rooting for you!

To learn more about Cynthia's role as a Project Engineer and My Energy Future Champion, click here. 

To learn more about the My Energy Future Champions programme, click here.