Energy and Earth Resources

If you would like to do further research into this sector, the following webpages may be useful:.  

Sector overviews and media 

• Prospects overview of energy and utilities
• Target guide to engineering sector
• Sustainability magazine
• reNews.Biz  

Career Zone Podcast Episodes and Alumni panel recordings 

• Podcast -  Carbon Transitions: Evolution in the Energy Sector
• Podcast - Transitioning from study to first role - conversations with Chloe Bayliss, Stakeholder Engagement Officer with Cornish Lithium
• Video - Careers after a renewable energy degree
• Video - Making the world a better place – careers in sustainability
• Video -  Pint ‘n’ Pasty with East of England Energy Group
• Video - Virtual Pint ‘n’ Pasty with Equity Exploration 

Government Reports & Industry Outlooks 

• Global Energy Analysis: World Energy Outlook -International Energy Agency's sector reports
• Green Jobs & Net Zero: Green Jobs Taskforce Report - UK government analysis of green job opportunities
• Net Zero Strategy - UK government roadmap with implications for energy careers
• UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero analysis of Assessment of the clean energy skills challenge 

Making contacts is essential for success in this and other sectors. Many jobs in this field come through networking and speculative applications. You could start by speaking with the experts – find out what they did after graduation and contact them for advice.  

Making contacts for work shadowing, informational interviews and speculative applications 

To help increase your networks who may also be able to suggest ways to gain experiences look at: 

• Ask an Alum: A fuss-free way to connect with University of Exeter alumni to ask careers questions. 
• Career Mentor Scheme: A popular employability scheme which matches a student or graduate with an experienced professional, for sector insight and one-to-one careers advice over a 6-month period.  

Speculative application 

A speculative application is when you proactively contact a company or organisation without knowing if they have any job openings, enabling access to the “hidden job market”. This allows you to seek out such opportunities which are predominantly found in small medium enterprises (SMEs) which are companies that employ fewer than two hundred and fifty employees.  You can find out more about ‘Speculative applications’ on our website.  

• Hidden Job Market – guidance by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) 

Pint ‘n’ Pasty 

Run by the Career Zone in Penryn, in collaboration with employers, these traditional weekly events offer the opportunity to hear from industry experts from different businesses.  Free to attend, booking is essential via Handshake.  After the talk, you are treated to a pasty supper and a drink from the bar, courtesy of the business.  

Recruitment fairs, careers fairs, open days, talks, and events give insights and opportunities to make contacts.  For details of future events visit Handshake. If you have not yet activated your account, select the Single Sign On (SSO) option and follow the onscreen instructions. Other annual events of interest include:  

• All Energy – The UK’s largest renewable and low carbon exhibition and conference. 
• British Institute of Energy Economics Conference – forum examining energy policy and usage in the UK. 
• British Water annual conference – forum for stakeholders in water and waste water supply chain.
• Critical Mineral Association annual conference – interdisciplinary forum of experts drawn from across public affairs, communications, marketing, research, client relations and mining examining mineral supply chains, strategies, investment, and the circular economy.
• Energy & Utility Skills Conference Awards - dedicated to sharing knowledge, collaboration and excellence in the energy and utilities industries.
• Energy Innovation Summit – UK landmark forum for energy system innovation and collaboration, gathering engineers, innovators, and policymakers.
• Environmental Services & Solutions Expo - conference showcasing cutting-edge technologies and strategies in net-zero, decarbonisation, resource management, circular economy, water scarcity and management, biodiversity conservation, environmental emergency response and emissions control.
• Geothermal in the UK – conference promoting geothermal energy commercialisation and skills transition.
• Offshore Wind Conference – forum exploring innovations and commercial developments in global offshore wind projects.
• Pint ‘n’ Pasty (Penryn only): Run by the Career Zone in collaboration with employers, these traditional weekly events offer the opportunity to hear from industry experts from different businesses.  Free to attend, booking is essential.  After the talk, you are treated to a pasty supper and a drink from the bar, courtesy of the business.  Book via Handshake.
• The Energy Institute has a range of events and training which are worth exploring including The UK’s largest low-carbon energy and renewables trade event, drawing suppliers, developers, investors, and policymakers for two days of networking and insight; ‘All-Energy’.
• The Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Offshore Europe – conference and exhibition of stakeholders working in offshore energy generation.
• UK Clean Energy Summit – conference hosted by University of Sheffield bringing together leaders in renewables sector.
• UK Mining Conference - forum exploring good practice and innovation in extraction for critical minerals, sustainable mining.
• UK Solar Summit – conference bringing together stakeholders associated with UK solar energy.
• Wind Europe – conference and exhibition bringing together European stakeholders in wind energy generation.
• Young Energy Professionals (YEP) Forum – online forum connecting UK based professional working in the energy sector. 

Many major graduate recruiters have policies and processes that are proactive in recruiting graduates from diverse backgrounds. To find out the policies and attitudes of employers that you are interested in, explore their equality and diversity policies and see if they offer Disability Confident Employer Scheme or are recognised for their policy by such indicators as Mindful Employer or as a Stonewall’s Diversity Champion.  

The UK law protects you from discrimination due to your age, gender, race, religion or beliefs, disability or sexual orientation and more. For further information on the Equality Act and to find out where and how you are protected, as well as information on what you need to do if you feel you have been discriminated against, visit the Government’s webpages on discrimination. 

To learn more about how to share details of a disability with an employer and the support you can receive applying for jobs and work experience visit our equality and diversity page. 

Further information 

• AFBE-UK - association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers providing mentoring and career development.
• Energy & Utility Skills - sector skills council promoting inclusive recruitment and addressing skills gaps.
• POWERful Women - advancing gender diversity in the energy sector through leadership programmes and industry initiatives.
• Pride in Energy - LGBTQ+ network across the energy industry promoting inclusion.
• STEM Returners - programmes supporting professionals returning to STEM careers after career breaks.
• The 5% Club - employer members commit to having 5% of their workforce  in development programmes, including students and graduates in formal training schemes.
• Women in Mining UK - supporting women's careers in mining and minerals with networking and advocacy.
• Women in Nuclear - promoting gender balance in the nuclear sector with mentoring and development programmes.