Energy and Environment Field Guide
Overview
Climate change, population, and economic growth pressures are creating complex energy and environmental problems that directly impact all aspects of human society. Challenges for today’s energy and environmental policy analysts include: controlling global climate change, considering environmental regulations in treaties and trade agreements, creating environmentally and economically sustainable development, and helping the private sector find ways to incorporate environmental concerns into business planning.
Career Opportunities
Employees in this industry are often monitoring environmental and regulatory compliance, integrating energy management services and assessing global impact, and advocating new approaches toward management, development and technology. Entry level positions in energy and environmental policy can be found in government, private industry, international organizations, research, non-profit and non-governmental organizations. Businesses and organizations seek qualified managers to work in compliance programs, to incorporate environmental concerns into business strategies, to improve performance by waste reduction and energy efficiency, and to develop sustainable strategies. Career-related activities within this field include policy and scientific research, education and advocacy, regulatory and legislative design, technical assistance to government agencies for planning and management, regulatory compliance and enforcement, and entrepreneurial development in both energy and environmental products and services.
Types of Jobs
Policy and scientific research
Education and advocacy
Regulatory and legislative design
Regulatory compliance and enforcement
Entrepreneurial development in products and services
Qualifications + Skills
Strong written and oral communication skills
Quantitative analysis
Understanding of policy processes
Economics
Field-specific volunteer or internship experience
Functional expertise in areas such as: environmental science, engineering, etc.
PRO TIP: Generally, positions in the energy and environmental sustainability fields require some form of technical experience. Look for internships with energy or sustainable development firms that can provide exposure to common terminology and technologies used in the field.
Sample Employers
Private Sector Firms: AES, DNV GL, Duke Energy, Evolution Markets, ExxonMobil, Global Energy Security Analysis, Nexant Energy Consulting, PA Consulting, PACE Global Energy Services, Shell
Research and Nonprofits: Alliance to Save Energy, American Gas Association, American Wind Energy Association, Business Council for Sustainable Energy, Conservation International, Edison Electric Institute, Friends of the Earth, International Institute for Sustainable Development, Natural Resources Defense Council, The Nature Conservancy, World Wildlife Fund
Government: Bureau of Land Management, Department of Agriculture, Department of Energy, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of State, Department of the Interior, Environmental Protection Agency, House Committee on Energy and Commerce, House Committee on Resources, Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, State Utility Commissions
International Organizations: European Union, North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation, Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, United Nations Development Programme, World Bank Group, World Trade Organization
Sample Maxwell Classes
Energy, Environment and Resources Policy
Economics of Environmental Policy
Science Technology and Public Policy
Public Administration and Law
Climate Change: Science, Perception & Policy
Regulatory Law and Policy
Related courses also available through SUNY ESF and SU Law
Resources
Environmental Careers Organization
European Commission on Energy Research
U.S. Government Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
UNDP Energy for Sustainable Development
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