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.

There are three primary categories within the industry:

Energy Sources
Fuels used to generate energy or power such as fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal), water, wind, solar, geothermal and nuclear sources
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 and cooling and industrial processes
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. 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. 

There are many sectors to choose from for those who would like to launch a career in the energy industry:

Traditional Energy

Petroleum & Oil, Natural Gas, Nuclear Energy

Renewable & Sustainable

Solar Energy, Geothermal Energy, Wind Energy, Biofuels

Other areas of the energy industry include sectors focused on the delivery, support, and consultation of power:

  • Electric Distribution & Delivery
  • Electric Generation
  • Energy Services & Consultation

 

Industry summary sourced from FirstHand Vault Guide.

SAMPLE JOB TITLES

  • 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 & Control Fields Engineer
  • Systems Engineer

SAMPLE HIRING ORGANIZATIONS

  • Bernhard
  • Black &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. DOE Labs (Brookhaven)
  • U.S. DOE Labs (Los Alamos)
  • U.S. DOE Labs (Oak Ridge)
  • U.S. DOE Labs (Savannah River)
  •  

 

RECRUITING TIMELINE

Depending on the type of employer and the role, the recruitment timelines vary. Governmental organizations, large companies, and manufacturers recruit most heavily in the fall for positions starting in the spring or summer. Opportunities still exist beyond the fall but are often 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 and other sources referenced below.

SAMPLE OPPORTUNITIES

Student Organizations & Academic Programs

  • 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

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS & INDUSTRY RESOURCES

  • 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

Internships + Co-ops

With sample hiring organizations and companies recruiting through

  • Engineering Career Fairs & Industry Days
  • Handshake job platform
  • USAjobs.gov

Meet with an Engineering Career Coach for more information about accessing opportunities + strategizing your search for co-ops, internships, research, and more.

ALUMNI 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
LinkedIN logo

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.