You probably know that today's energy sector faces disruption. Technologies such as rooftop solar, energy storage and microgrids get most of the attention, but the workforce that keeps utilities running is changing as well. Aging employees are retiring, and a talent shortage may be left in their place.
As the industry's veterans leave, it's important that the next generation tap into the institutional knowledge that's still here. We can't come into everyone's office and facilitate such chats, but we can ask the energy leaders and professionals on Utility Dive's Energy & Utilities Network LinkedIn group to share some career advice with you. (And we did.)
If you're out there looking for your dream job in energy and utilities, we have good news. We recently launched our new Utility Dive job board, which showcases openings at companies like Siemens, SolarCity and NRG Energy. And if you're looking for that perfect job candidate, there's good news for you, too: you can reach our 30,000 readers with free job listings of your own.
So whether you're new to the energy industry or are looking to switch jobs, we hope these 12 energy leaders' words of wisdom inspire you:
1. LOOK FOR THOSE THAT EMBRACE CHANGE
"The traditional utility is changing through competitive pressures, so look for those organizations that are embracing change.
New ventures and start-ups are popping up everywhere in the energy space and you can go into the industry from almost any direction—whether in white or blue-collar positions. Roles in engineering and sales are probably more in demand in start-up situations, but we see needs for accounting, finance, project management and regulatory expertise.
Learn the industry business model through supply chain analysis: sales, procurement, generation, transmission, distribution, customer services and billing/collections, and regulatory authorities. Understand how each market participant 'makes their money.' And don’t focus only on public or regulated utilities."
— Greg Goldasich, former General Manager of Information Technology and Risk Management, Southern California Edison
2. THROW MUD AT THE WALL AND SEE WHAT STICKS
"Get your masters in power systems, not an MBA.
Get your masters soon after graduation, its hell to do after you get married and have kids.
Never try and fool folks if you don’t know the answer, you’ll only make an ass of yourself. Admit you don’t know, go research it, find the answer and, then get back to them with the right answer.
Never blindly trust the numbers that come out of a simulation, always give them the sanity check to make sure they make sense relative to what really happens out in the field. Never forget you screw up in some areas of this business and people could get hurt, even killed. Electricity can be very unforgiving.
Be willing to think out of the box, there’s always another way to skin the proverbial cat. Where would mankind be if once in a while we didn’t throw a bunch of mud at the wall to see what sticks?
Don’t be afraid to laugh at yourself once in a while, it’s good for the soul!"
— John Simonelli, Director of Operations Support Services, ISO New England
3. ADAPT TO CONSTANT CHANGE
"One should also be able to adjust to constant change, and help make the changes. Remember, that if you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you always got..."
— Robert Shuttleworth, Senior Specialist and Trainer, ComEd
4. ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT DOES NOT EQUAL BUSINESS SUCCESS
"Success in business, unlike school, doesn't come from having all the right answers. It comes from selling your ideas, creating consensus and having a network of support."
— John Koslosky, Senior Vice President, Riley Power
5. MICROGRIDS AND RENEWABLES ARE JUST NOVELTIES
"What is now obvious is that de-regulation, un-bundling, micro-grids (how many utilities have split up into micro-grids?) and renewable energy have failed to deliver.
My advice? Return back to that which has proved to work previously and abandon these novelties that have manifestly failed to deliver."
— Chris Bright, Electrical Systems Specialist for Electrical Power and Control Systems, Rolls-Royce
6. BE A CHANGE AGENT
"The energy landscape is on the verge of a paradigm shift. Be a change agent, understand that you father's utility is no longer the utility that customers will demand. Learn about renewables, microgrids, power monitoring, regulatory frameworks and policy. Be a thought leader in a crowd of professionals that yearn for business as usual and then fasten your seatbelt!"
— Eve Frankel, Director of Marketing, Northern Reliability
7. WORK HARD(ER)
"Outwork everyone, come early, stay late, understand you can learn from everyone and anyone (whether that be what not to do, or what to do), do what you say you are going to do, under promise, over deliver, be there for your customers after the sale, be coachable."
— Bradley Roach, Founder and CEO at Unified Power Brokers
8. A WISE MAN ONCE SAID
"A wise man once told me engineering tells us what we can do, economics tell us what we should do, and politics tells us what will be done."
— Robert Frank, Senior Consultant, McHale Performance
9. GET THE BIRD'S EYE VIEW
"Irrespective of your undergraduate or graduate degrees, prepare yourself by developing a complete understanding of the economics, environmental and public policy considerations of each alternative fuel and energy source out there, including but not limited to natural gas, the various grades of coal, nuclear, solar, wind, hydro, etc.
An understanding of the related economics should include a macroscopic view of the likely future availability of each energy source, the likely future costs of the energy source, potential environmental restrictions, transmission and "grid" issues, possible political hurdles and time horizons applicable to each alternative in those areas of our country where you hope to locate.
The fabric of this matrix will bend and reshape itself over time, but if you have a clear-headed understanding of the fundamentals going in, your value as a future industry leader will strengthen as the inevitable changes occur."
— J. Peter Martin, Retired Board Member, Chesapeake Utilities Corporation
10. GET YOUR HANDS DIRTY
"My advice is get some practical experience first, by working in the field, at customer sites or on the manufacturing floor. Don't move on to your second job until you have mastered the first job and developed some level of expertise on some subjects. The energy industry is huge and nobody knows everything, but if you become an expert in some areas people will listed to what you have to say and that will give you the confidence to move on to other roles."
—Jeff Dutka, Global Steam Turbine Productivity Leader, GE Energy
11. ASK YOURSELF THESE FOUR IMPORTANT QUESTIONS
"If you are just starting your career, you should use a few different factors:
a) Is it a growth industry a.k.a. long term career opportunity?
b) Is it challenging and keep my interest?
c) After 20 years, will I still want to be in the career I am in or will I have regretted my choice?
d) Can the industry of choice support myself and my family?"
— John Nistler, President and CEO, PSIDA ZEV
12. GET YOUR FOOT IN THE DOOR
"My advice is to get your foot in the door anyway you can. Once in, move around as much as possible so you can see as many aspects of the industry as you can. Second, make yourself valuable by setting a personal growth path of continuously improving yourself through formal and informal learning. Lastly, enjoy the diversity of those around you."
—John C. Budd, former Principal Electric Field Leader, CMS Energy
Enjoyed what you read? You may also want to read Utility Dive's look at FERC chairman Wellinghoff's explanation of why utilities must adapt or die.