Energy is so crucial in so many situations these days that the whole world would grind to a halt without a steady stream of it. Energy engineers are responsible for finding new sources of energy and turning them into a tangible product that can be fed into our cars and wired into our light bulbs, laptops and iPads.
Just the small feat of powering virtually everything in the world falls at the feet of the energy engineer. Whether it’s electricity, petrol or any other form of energy, it’s their responsibility to provide it for the vast amount of homes, businesses and general appliances that crave energy day in and day out.
As such, energy engineers are required at virtually all points of the energy cycle: at the rig, at the refinery, at the energy pylon, the ‘grid’ and any other location where energy is harnessed. Consequently, don’t expect to be sitting at a desk all day, every day. That won’t happen often!
Types of electric engineering: oil, gas, or electric
If it’s oil and gas we’re talking about, you might be assisting with the drilling process at the rig, improving the way in which the resources are transferred to the refineries, or how the refineries transform the ‘good stuff’ into useable products such as petrol and ethanol.
If electricity is more your kind of thing, you might be overseeing all of the processes at a power station, ensuring each turbine is functioning correctly at the offshore wind farm or making sure everything is being conducted in a safe and efficient manner.
How do I get into energy engineering?
Well the most common route is via an engineering degree, although this profession is not exclusive to graduates.
You can take an HND or pursue the apprenticeship route to acquire the necessary skills for breaking into this line of work.
If you’re on the hunt for ‘chartered’ status, you’ll need to rack yourself up an additional four years of on-the-job experience with a reputable employer.
Who needs energy engineers?
Where will you be working then? Well, the big energy companies dominate here. BP, Shell, Exxon Mobil, National Grid, EON and British Gas amongst many others are the main seekers of fresh talent. These companies have so many interests and so many projects throughout the world that they require a huge workforce to ensure everything functions correctly.
It’s not all big companies though. Government departments and a huge network of suppliers provide a wide variety of opportunities for people interested in a career in energy engineering.
So, do you fancy being an energy engineer? If you know this is the route for you, why not apply for a few of our graduate engineering jobs? I mean, think about it; you would basically be making energy happen. Now that is cool…
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