CL-October 2024 - 20

CUTTING EDGE
Preparing for a Bright Future
Energy innovation creates new career opportunities
by Scott Flood, Contributing Columnist
Y
ou may never have heard of an
energy storage specialist or a
smart grid engineer, but you'll
want to know that some brilliant people
are currently serving in those roles. Th eir
jobs are all about making your electricity
even more reliable and aff ordable -
and they are careers that didn't even
exist a decade or two ago.
Th is month, electric co-ops across
America will recognize Careers
in Energy Week, Oct. 21-25. Th is
industry-wide initiative connects today's
energy workforce with tomorrow's by
making people aware of important and
rewarding career opportunities.
For example, more environmental
scientists are needed to help energy
producers better understand how to
meet the demands of consumers while
protecting local and global ecosystems.
It also takes skilled energy policy
analysts to analyze data, evaluate the
impacts of proposed policies, and advise
governments and organizations on
energy-related issues.
GETTING IN ON
THE GROUND FLOOR
Many of these new positions require
extensive education, but others provide
entry-level opportunities. For example,
as more homeowners want to use new
technologies like solar panels, they need
trained technicians to install them.
Another growing opportunity is for
energy advisors, who have the skills
to examine homes and businesses to
identify changes that could lead to lower
energy bills.
While opportunities abound
throughout the energy industry, people
who have an interest in energy oſt en
fi nd work environments they enjoy at
local electric cooperatives. Th ere are
many reasons for that, and one that's
particularly important is that co-ops p
lay a critical role in the safety and
well-being of the communities they
serve. People who are proud of the places
they call home are eager to give back,
and knowing you play a role in keeping
your neighbors' lights on and making
Electric co-ops tend to be some
of the community's most stable
employers, and they typically provide
plenty of opportunities for personal and
professional growth, such as access
to specialized training or classes.
your community economically stronger
can be quite satisfying.
In this era of job-hopping, a
surprising number of co-op employees
spend most or all of their careers
there. Co-ops tend to be some of the
community's most stable employers,
and they typically provide plenty
of opportunities for personal and
professional growth, such as access to
specialized training or classes. While
co-ops are not-for-profi t organizations,
that doesn't mean they're skimpy when
it comes to pay. Both wages and benefi ts
tend to be competitive.
Whether you're a student getting
ready to pursue that fi rst " real " job or an
individual who feels ready for a career
change, the energy industry is defi nitely
worth exploring. It off ers both stability
and growth, and opportunities that
run the gamut from member services
to engineering to construction, science
and fi nancial management. Your local
co-op also gives you the chance to be
the person your neighbors know they
can depend upon. Th at's a benefi t that's
tough to beat.
*
Co-op careers off er both stability and growth, and job opportunities in
member services, engineering, construction, science and fi nancial management.
18 * Cooperative Living * October 2024
Scott Flood writes on a variety of energyrelated
topics for the National Rural Electric
Cooperative Association.
co-opliving.com
PHOTO COURTESY MERIDIAN COOPERATIVE
http://www.co-opliving.com
CL-October 2024

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