Energy and Utilities
Research careers and find opportunities in energy and utilities.
About
The energy and utilities sector has a wide range of opportunities available to students and graduates, whether in large international companies or small organisations developing specialist technology.
On this page, you can find information and advice on careers in:
- Renewable energy - wind, marine, wave and hydroelectric power, solar, and bioenergy
- Nuclear
- Oil and gas
- Utilities - power generators, distributors and suppliers and water companies
In 2021, the UK low carbon and renewable energy economy generated £54.4 billion in turnover within contributing businesses, which was a 30.8% increase since 2020. This accounted for employment of 247,400 full-time equivalents.
The energy industry has historically been dominated by the use of fossil fuels. The impact of climate change has, however, accelerated the need to develop alternative clean, sustainable sources of energy, such as renewables, nuclear and hydrogen and find ways to capture and store carbon.
While oil and gas still account for a high percentage of today’s energy, it’s predicted that these will be replaced by renewables, biomass and waste as heat sources and to power transport and industry. (Source: PwC report: Inventing tomorrow’s energy system)
You may also be interested in our Environment pages, which includes advice on careers in environmental management and consultancy, conservation, sustainability and waste management/recycling. Also see Engineering, Civil Engineering, Geomatics and Construction.
Technical job profiles
Have a look at Prospects and targetjobs to find out what roles in this sector involve and how to get into them.
Examples of the type of technical roles found across most sectors of the energy industry include:
- Energy engineer
- Energy manager
- Geographical information systems (GIS) officer
- Hydrogeologist
- Land/Geomatics surveyor
You can find more examples of specialist technical roles below.
Renewable energy
Nuclear
Oil and gas
- Drilling engineer
- Petroleum engineer
- Mining engineer
- Minerals surveyor
- Mudlogger
- Wellsite geologist
- Geochemist
- Geophysicist - also see a Geophysicist case study from The Geological Society
- Geoscientist - also see a Geoscientist case study from The Geological Society
- Engineering geologist
- Exploration geologist
- Commercial diver - also see different roles in diving from a training provider
Utilities
- Electrical engineer - for more information on this role see Engineering
- Control and instrumentation engineer
- Geoscientist
- Hydrologist
- Water quality scientist
Commercial job profiles
Have a look at Prospects and targetjobs to find out what roles in this sector involve and how to get into them. Examples of commercial careers include:
- marketing and communications
- IT and data science/analysis
- finance and trading
- logistics and supply chain management
- human resources
- sales
- consultancy
You can also find opportunities in policy, law and regulation.
Skills employers look for
Employers in this sector are looking for skills including:
- an ability to project manage, prioritise tasks, meet deadlines and work with minimum supervision
- leadership and the ability to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams
- a logical and methodical approach to problem-solving
- an ability to research, analyse and communicate complex technical data to others
- flexibility and willingness to work outdoors, offshore, or overseas
For some roles, such as geochemist and hydrologist, a relevant postgraduate qualification may be preferred. See our Further Study for information on finding, choosing and funding further study.
Salaries
Starting salaries for graduate jobs in this sector can vary depending on the position.
To get an idea of typical starting salaries use the following resources:
- our Discover your Earning Potential Pathway offers access to The Pay Index. This shows you how salaries vary across different roles, industries and locations
- job profiles, such as those listed on Prospects or targetjobs
- vacancy sites such as Glassdoor and LinkedIn
For information about how to negotiate a salary, visit Handling job offers.
Inspiration from people working in the industry
- browse our Work Experience and Graduate Employment directories. See where our students and graduates have had work experience, or been employed
- use LinkedIn’s Alumni tool to find out what Newcastle graduates are doing now. You could ask to connect with them, to gain advice and insights into their career. See Newcastle Alumni on LinkedIn to help you get started or watch our quick tutorial on Getting inspiration from others [3:13]
- attend alumni events, such as Newcastle Develop, to hear directly from our graduates
- sign up for mentoring support with Graduate Mentor and The 1 Hour Project. These aim to match students with industry professionals who can provide invaluable insights. Register to be connected for a one-hour meeting
- attend events, including recruitment fairs and employer and sector insights. Hear about graduate jobs, placement schemes, build your network and ask questions
Online reviews
Searching for reviews online can be a useful way to get an idea of what to expect from certain roles or employers. Reviews are written by employees with different opinions about what makes a good employer.
Use the following review sites for inspiration and insight into the recruitment process:
- RateMyPlacement placement year reviews written by students.
- The Job Crowd – graduate job reviews
- Glassdoor – company reviews from employees
Not sure what you want to do?
If you’re not sure exactly what you want to do, we can help. You can book a guidance appointment via MyCareer. Our careers consultants can help you explore your options or plan your career.
Career guides
Read career guides for this sector, such as:
- Energy and utilities (Prospects)
- Overview of the UK's energy and utilities sector
- Energy and Utilities Jobs - information on the range of industries in the sector, including gas, power, water and waste management
- Energy Careers – from the Energy Institute
- My Energy Future
Renewable energy
- Renewable energy careers (Prospects)
- Renewable UK: Careers
Nuclear
- Getting a graduate job in nuclear energy (Prospects)
- Science Career Pathways: Nuclear careers gives examples of the different roles within the industry
- Nuclear Graduates also gives insight into the industry
Oil and gas
- jobs in the oil and gas industry (Prospects)
- energy (oil and gas) industry overview (targetjobs)
Utilities
- utilities industry overview (targetjobs)
- UK Groundwater Forum
Industry news
Use online magazines and journals to follow news from your industry. Reading about trends and developments is important for applications and interviews.
Examples include:
- Power-technology.com
- ReNews.biz has global news and articles on renewable energy, including wind, solar, wave and tidal. See also BBC: Renewable Energy in the UK.
- Nuclear Engineering International
- Utility Week
- ENDS Report
Attend events
Attend events to hear directly from professionals in the industry.
Newcastle University students can access free membership to the Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges (EAUC), which includes access to sustainability events and networking opportunities
Attend events including our recruitment events and employer & sector insights.
Student societies
Join relevant student societies, such as Engineers without Borders
Social media
Use social media to find industry insights
Join sector-specific groups on LinkedIn to keep up to date. Posts often include news, events and opportunities. You can also find useful insights on careers on Twitter and TikTok. Treat these with caution, as not all content may be accurate.
Find out more about how to use social media for your career.
Professional bodies
Consider joining a relevant professional body/industry network
Professional bodies often:
- run networking events
- have specialist groups you could join
- post vacancies on behalf of their members
- have member directories, useful for speculative applications
See key organisations below.
Professional societies/institutes
- Energy Institute
- The Nuclear Institute - includes link to their Young Generation Network
- Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM)
- Geological Society
- Society of Exploration Geophysicists
Research councils and research centres
- Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
- Science and Technology Facilities Council
- British Geological Survey
- National Nuclear Laboratory
- Natural Environment Research Council
Sector skills councils/industry associations
- Cogent - sector skills council for a range of industries including nuclear
- NOF Energy - business development organisation for UK oil, gas, nuclear and offshore wind sectors
- Energy UK - trade association, includes the Young Energy Professionals forum
- RenewableUK - trade and professional body for the UK wind and marine renewables industries
- Renewable Energy Association
- Energi Coast - North East England's Offshore Wind Cluster
- Wind Europe
- Nuclear Industry Association
- World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO)
- Oil and Gas UK
- UK Petroleum Industry Association (UKPIA) - includes information on the future of the industry
- FuelsEurope - represents refining industry in Europe and includes links to member companies and national associations
- Water UK - information on the UK water industry, including water and sewerage companies
Intergovernmental and not-for-profit organisations
- International Energy Agency
- World Nuclear Association
- Forum for the Future - not-for-profit organisation which promotes sustainable development
Finding professional bodies worldwide
GoinGlobal’s country guides include details of professional bodies. Find them under ‘Professional and Personal Networking’ on each individual country guide.
Guide to finding opportunities
Finding a job in the energy industry is competitive.
Relevant work experience is invaluable in developing expertise. It helps show motivation and commitment to this area of work.
There are various ways to find internships, placements and graduate opportunities. We’ve added some tips below to help you get started.
- search for advertised vacancies using the vacancy sites listed below
- look at the careers sections on company websites for student and graduate opportunities. Use Researching Employers to help you gain insights into companies
- attend events such as recruitment fairs and employer and sector insights
- contact employers speculatively – see non-advertised work experience and graduate jobs to help you find organisations to approach
- follow companies on social media for latest news and updates
- consider registering with a recruitment agency for graduate jobs
- register with EmployAbility if you are disabled, neurodivergent or have a mental health condition. They can offer advice and support on applications to Newcastle students. They also run first year, internship and graduate programmes with inclusive employer partners
- ask family and friends if they have any useful contacts who may be able to offer you work experience
- consider alternative ways to find relevant experience and develop your skills
- create your own opportunity by starting your own business or working freelance
You can also read The Geological Society's advice on finding work experience and placements.
Advertised work experience
Placements and summer internships are usually aimed at undergraduate students in and above their second or penultimate year of study. Some companies will also consider first and final year students.
Some examples of companies that offer placements and/or summer internships include:
- GE
- Centrica
- EDF Energy
- AECOM
- National Grid
- Northumbrian Water Group
- Amey
- Mott MacDonald
- UK Power Networks - 10-12 month Engineering Powering Placements
- Westinghouse Electric Company - provides services to the nuclear industry and offers internships for students
- The Centre for Ecology & Hydrology - offers summer research experience and supervision for Masters projects
Work experience opportunities with smaller companies are not always advertised. You may need to contact the employer with a speculative approach.
When to apply
Many large engineering companies, particularly in the power and oil and gas sectors, advertise summer or year-long placements early in the first semester.
These are usually aimed at students in and above their second year of study. Applications open early in the autumn and closing dates are usually between November and March.
Search for internships and placement years
Use our resources to get started:
- MyCareer - search for internships and placements in the North East, UK and overseas. Register/log in to access vacancies and sign up for personalised email alerts
- Internships, placements & shadowing - links to vacancy sites
- Global work experience - for internships or placements abroad
Search the following external sites for more opportunities
- Gradcracker
- Cogent - advertises placements and internships, including in nuclear and renewables
- IAESTE - work placements for engineering and science students (England is a non-member country, but it's still possible for students studying in non-member countries to apply)
- RISE Germany - summer internship program for undergraduate science or engineering students to undertake research in Germany.
- RISE Professional - summer research internships in Germany for Master’s and PhD students at companies and research institutions. Depending on the internship, recent graduates may also be eligible.
Professional bodies and research councils also advertise opportunities. See Sector and industry insights for a list of organisations.
For more advice, read targetjobs' Engineering work experience: a beginner's guide.
NCL internships
The Careers Service runs flexible term-time and summer internships with local employers and on campus. NCL internships are aimed at all students, from any stage.
Search for these under Vacancies on MyCareer. Type in ‘NCL internship’ into the text search box.
You can find these advertised throughout the academic year. Full-time summer opportunities are advertised from around March.
The Sustainability Team at Newcastle sometimes offer NCL internships to current students. They have also offered support for sustainability dissertations and funding for relevant projects.
Worldwide experience
Access GoinGlobal for internships in over 120 global locations, updated daily. Search for opportunities in the local language, as well as in English. You can also use their country guides to find:
- additional vacancy websites
- CV, application and interview advice
- advice on living and working in different countries and cities around the world
Looking for ideas
If you’re looking for inspiration, try searching our NU Work Experience Directory.
You can see where our students have had internships and placements in the last five years. To see all results in a search category, keep the search field blank.
Advertised graduate opportunities
Roles within energy and utilities can be found across a broad range of sectors, including industry, local and national government, academia, NGOS and charity and voluntary organisations.
Several large employers offer structured graduate programmes, typically lasting 1 - 2 years. For example, EDF offer a renewables commercial graduate programme and one in nuclear science and engineering.
Smaller companies often don’t advertise opportunities. It’s worth contacting them with a speculative approach - see the section on finding companies below to help you get started.
When to apply
The resources in this section advertise both graduate jobs and graduate schemes. See our graduate jobs page to understand the difference between them.
For graduate schemes, apply as early as possible.
UK applications typically open early in the academic year from September or October. Some close as early as November-December. Many employers close applications as soon as their places are filled.
Graduate jobs tend to be immediate start positions which can be available all year round. You are more likely to apply for these towards the end of your studies.
Vacancy sites
Use the following resources to get started:
- MyCareer - search for graduate schemes and graduate jobs in the North East, UK and overseas. Register/log in to access vacancies and sign up for personalised email alerts
- Graduate Jobs - lists graduate vacancy sites
- Gradcracker
- Energy & Utilities Jobs
- Energy Jobline - includes jobs in renewables and power and nuclear
- New Scientist Jobs: Earth, environment and energy jobs
- Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) - work on research projects while gaining industrial experience with an employer. Projects are competitively paid, with funding for personal development (often including a higher degree qualification), and typically last 1-3 years
- Earthworks-jobs.com
Professional bodies and research councils also advertise graduate positions. See sector and industry insights for a list of organisations.
Renewable energy vacancy sites
- Totaljobs: Renewable Energy jobs
- Renewable Energy Jobs
- Environment Job - includes vacancies relating to carbon management, climate policy and renewable energy
- EndsJobSearch - includes jobs in renewable and wind energy
- Greenjobs – includes jobs in renewable energy
- Scottish Renewables: Jobs in Renewables
Nuclear vacancy sites
- nucleargraduates - two-year graduate scheme with placements in more than 20 companies
- NuclearSectorJobs
- UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), based at the Culham Centre for Fusion Energy, offer a graduate scheme
- National Nuclear Laboratory - opportunities for graduates in chemistry, chemical engineering, physics and materials
- NSAN: Nuclear jobs
Utilities vacancy sites
- Energy & Utilities Jobs
- CIWEM: Jobs
- British Hydrological Society: vacancies
- Ofwat (water services regulation authority)
- Ofgem: graduate development programme (Office of Gas and Electricity)
- nationalgrid: jobs
- UK Power Networks - engineering, commercial and technology graduate programmes, based in London, the South East or East of England
Worldwide vacancy sites
Access GoinGlobal for job adverts in over 120 global locations, updated daily. Search for opportunities in the local language, as well as in English. You can also use their country guides to find:
- additional vacancy websites
- CV, application and interview advice
- advice on living and working in different countries and cities around the world
See International jobs for details of more overseas vacancy sites.
Non-advertised work experience and graduate jobs
Not all internships, placements and graduate jobs are advertised. In fact, many people create opportunities through:
- networking and making contacts
- developing their own business ideas
A speculative approach is common for finding work experience and graduate jobs. This is where you approach a company directly to ask if they have any opportunities available.
How to access hidden opportunities
Start by identifying organisations you are interested in. Our guide to finding organisations below can help. Then use the following steps to approach them speculatively about possible opportunities:
- identify a contact name to address your cover letter to. Call or email to find out who handles recruitment within the organisation. Or, find a key contact in the department you want to work in
- send them a tailored CV and cover letter. Express your enthusiasm for the sector. Show that you have researched the company
- follow up your speculative application with a phone call, or email, around a week later. This shows you are serious and motivated
- if your application was unsuccessful, ask for feedback or advice, and keep trying!
How to find organisations
- find organisations on MyCareer. Select ‘search' then 'organisations’
- use the business directories and databases on our Researching employers page
- search for companies on LinkedIn. The Find Alumni tool shows you where Newcastle graduates are currently working
- browse our Work Experience and Graduate Employment directories. See where our students and graduates have had work experience, or been employed
North East Organisations
- North East Process Industry Cluster (NEPIC)
- Energi Coast - North East England's Offshore Wind Cluster, includes list of related organisations under industry group and supply chain directory
UK Organisations
All sectors
- targetjobs
- WikiJob - top 100 global energy firms
- CIWEM: Business partners - for areas of specialism in a particular country/area
- Energy Institute - lists of companies in a range of sectors including energy consultancy, petroleum, environment, electricity and renewables
- Power Technology: company A-Z - list of suppliers and contractors in the power industry
- The Geologists' Directory Online - search for companies
Renewables
- ENDS Directory - includes a list of renewable energy consultancies
- Renewable Energy Association - member directory
- The Construction Centre: Renewable Energy
Nuclear
Oil and gas
- FuelsEurope - members range from multi-national oil and gas companies to companies with alternative fuels interests
- Global Underwater Hub - member directory and links to professional bodies/associations who work in the subsea industry, including marine renewables and oil and gas
- Rigzone: featured employers
Utilities
- Water UK - list of UK water and wastewater service suppliers
- Register of Consultants in Hydrology
Professional bodies and research councils often include member directories. See Sector and industry insights for a list of organisations.
Worldwide organisations
- Environmental Expert - list of global environmental industry companies
- Nuclear Engineering International includes a company A-Z of buyers and suppliers to the industry
- World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO)
- search GoinGlobal’s employer directory for company information in 196 countries. Their country guides list professional bodies around the world
Specialist recruitment agencies
Recruitment agencies can be useful for finding graduate jobs. These tend to be for immediate start positions. It's worth registering with one or two agencies towards the end of your course.
Specialist agencies include:
- Allen-York - opportunities in environment, renewable energy, waste and recycling, and energy services
- Acre - environment and sustainability recruitment service
- Utility People
- NES Fircroft - includes vacancies in renewable energy, power, nuclear, water treatment and oil and gas
See recruitment agencies to find more agencies.
Finding overseas recruitment agencies
GoinGlobal’s country guides include details of recruitment agencies in specific countries. They are listed under the following headings:
- staffing agencies and temporary help firms
- executive recruiters and search firms
Recruitment agencies may not operate in the same way in different countries. In the UK agencies are free for job seekers, but this may not be the case elsewhere. Explore the terms and conditions of an agency before signing up to use them.
Other ways to gain relevant experience
All experience is valuable. If you can't find an internship or placement related to energy or utilities, why not try these alternatives:
- complete a free virtual internship, for example with Forage
- sign up for free online courses to develop new skills and demonstrate an interest in your field
- attend events and network to make contacts and connections. Newcastle University students can access free membership to the Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges (EAUC), which includes access to sustainability events and networking opportunities
- enter a related competition - prizes sometimes include internships
- consider volunteering
- you can also look at what to do if you can't find an internship over summer
Work for yourself
Our START UP team can help you explore working for yourself at any stage. Whether you want to explore an idea or have already launched a business or freelance career, you can access the following help:
- support with idea generation
- provide tailored advice
- help you develop your skills
- introduce you to like-minded peers
- refer you to further support from mentors
- award grant funding up to £3,000