The energy industry is one of the largest and most essential industries in the world. Companies and people who work in the energy industry locate fuel and energy sources, harness them, process them, and then distribute them for the world to use. Energy is needed for individuals to function in daily life as well as for all other industries to operate. It is consumed to heat our homes, provide light in the dark, operate production lines, power and operate vehicles, and for almost every task humans perform.
Dimensions of the Energy Industry
Energy Sources
- Fuels used to generate energy or power such as fossil fuels like oil, natural gas, coal
- Water
- Wind
- Solar
- Geothermal
- Nuclear
Forms of Energy
How energy is transmitted and distributed to customers, primarily through electricity and heat
End Uses of Energy
Once energy is generated or created, it is primarily used for transportation purposes, lighting, heating, cooling, and industrial processes
Roles and Workforce Needs
The industry continues to evolve as organizations explore new technologies, improve infrastructure systems, expand renewable energy capabilities, modernize power grids, and address growing global demands for sustainability, reliability, and energy efficiency.
There are many sectors to choose from for those who would like to launch a career in the energy industry:
- Traditional Energy | Petroleum and Oil, Natural Gas, Nuclear Energy
- Renewable and Sustainable | Solar, Geothermal, Wind, Biofuels
- Other areas of the energy industry include sectors focused on the delivery, support and consultation of power:
- Electronic Distribution and Delivery
- Electric Generation
- Energy Services and Consultation
Engineers and technical professionals play a critical role in designing systems, improving operations, managing infrastructure, analyzing data, supporting innovation, and developing solutions that balance energy needs with environmental and economic considerations.
Industry summary sourced from FirstHand Vault Guide.
Career Opportunities at a Glance
- Associate Engineer
- Distribution Engineer
- Energy Engineer
- Energy Efficiency Engineer
- Electrical Engineer
- Electrical Systems Engineer
- Engineering Analyst
- Fleet Reliability Engineer
- Material Quality Engineer
- Network Underground Engineer
- Nuclear Engineer
- Power Distribution Engineer
- Power Line Distributions Engineer
- Project Engineer
- Protection and Control Fields Engineer
- Systems Engineer
Sample job titles based on 2020 - 2025 Auburn Engineering graduates responses to the Auburn University First Destination Survey.
- Bernhard
- Black and Veatch
- Chevron
- Duracell
- EnergySolutions
- ExxonMobil
- FM Global
- General Electric
- Jacobs
- Kimley-Horn
- Kiewit
- Li-Cycle
- Miller Electric Company
- NextEra Energy
- PacifiCorp
- Rivian
- Schneider Electric
- Southern Company
- Southern Nuclear
- Spire Energy
- Synopsys, Inc.
- Tennessee Valley Authority
- Tesla
- U.S. Department of Energy
- U.S. Department of Energy Labs
- Brookhaven
- Los Alamos
- Oak Ridge
- Savannah River
Sample hiring organizations based on 2020 - 2025 Auburn Engineering graduates responses to the Auburn University First Destination Survey.
Pathways to Energy Experience
- American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE)
- American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers
- Eta Kappa Nu
- IEEE Student Branch
- Energy Alliance at Auburn
Academic Programs
- Nuclear Power Generation Systems Minor
- Sustainability Minor
With sample hiring organizations + companies recruiting through
Support for your co-op and internship search
- Interest to Industry Meetings: Navigating Your Co-op or Internship Search
- Meet with a career coach
- Complete a Professional Experience Interest Form
Confirmed an upcoming opportunity?
- American Clean Power Association
- American Nuclear Society
- American Public Power Association
- American Solar Energy Society
- Association of Energy Engineers
- Association of Energy Services Professionals
- Edison Electric Institute
- Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
- IEEE Power & Energy Society (IEEE PES)
- National Rural Electric Cooperative Association
- Society of Petroleum Engineers
- Solar Energy Industries Association
- World Nuclear Association
NAVIGATING THE HIRING PROCESS
Depending on the type of employer and the role, the recruitment timelines vary. Governmental organizations, large companies, and manufacturers typically recruit more heavily in the fall. Opportunities still exist beyond the fall but are typically more niche opportunities with smaller companies. Additionally, companies will hire throughout the year depending on the needs and demands of their projects or government contracts.
Seek opportunities to connect with employers at fall events such as the fall Engineering Career Fair, as well as at employer table talks, employer-in-residence, Ask Alumni Anything chats, and student organization meetings. Search for posted opportunities on Handshake.
ALUMNI AND NETWORKING IN THE INDUSTRY
- Ashley Barnes, '13 Civil & Environmental | Renewable Operations O&M Project Manager | Southern Power
- Ben Carmichael, '00 & '05 Electrical, Civil & Environmental | Business Development Manager - Research & Development | Southern Company
- Brandon Teal, '15 Electrical | Director, Electrical Utilities| STACK Infrastructure
- Carey Holland, '06 Electrical | PD Engineering Training Manager | Southern Company
- Cassie Saide, '21 Biosystems | Project Development Manager | Schneider Electric
- Hagen Kaylor, '13 Biosystems | Renewable Operations Engineer | Southern Power
- John McCracken, '08 Chemical | Global Projects Planning Advisor | ExxonMobil
- Jordan Beaumont, '04 Mechanical | Lead Fixed Equipment Inspector | Chevron
- Jordan Rice, '12 Mechanical | Director of Risk Informed Engineering and Safety Analysis | Southern Nuclear
- Jordan Ryle, '18 Mechanical | Engineering Project Manager | Yates Construction
- K-Rob Thomas, '01 Civil & Environmental | Vice President, Distribution Field Operations | Georgia Power
- Rachel Lynch, '22 Biosystems | Licensing Engineer | Kairos Power
- Shelby Booth, '18 Chemical | Account Engineer | FM Global
- Susan Story, '82 Industrial & Systems | Retired Chief Executive Officer | American Water Works Company
- Tyanna Malone, '18 & '24 Biosystems & Computer Science | Preconstruction Engineer | RWE
You can access alumni such as these to learn about career paths, skills for the industry, and build your network through LinkedIn. Create an account and build your profile, then search for Auburn alumni by major, company, location, or other criteria on the Auburn University LinkedIn page. Chat with an Engineering Career Coach on strategies for networking and reaching out to connect.