Within Energy & Natural Resources, you’ll find careers including clean & alternative energy, conservation & land management, environmental protection, resource extraction, and utilities. Like other clusters, it covers many careers and multiple industries and some may overlap other categories. Learn more about the U.S. Department of Labor’s industry clusters and their economic outlook, and visit CareerOneStop’s energy & natural resources page to continue your career exploration.
Adults using these resources to help students explore careers may also find it helpful to use the Career Journeys Supplemental Materials we’ve prepared for teachers and counselors.
Openness to change can turn entry-level job into career ladder
Before becoming ALCOSAN’s Industrial Waste Manager, Christina Dean learned about the sanitary authority in jobs ranging from clerical and lab science to driving tri-axle trucks.
Cleaning water and soil
A Project Manager and Senior Geologist for Tanaq Environmental, LLC., Meriam Senoussi says anyone considering a career in her field needs to be organized and like the outdoors.
Sea World visit sparked interest in marine science
Sarah Brooks began her career in marine science before moving on to become a teacher. She said marine science takes curiosity, a love for research, and strong analytical and math skills.
Finding a different path for working with animals
As Education Program Director for Allegheny Land Trust, Julie Travaglini wears many hats. One day she might be indoors writing lesson plans or grants, and the next she’s in the field immersing groups of students in nature.
Using a passion for service to think broadly about sustainability
Addressing the full spectrum of sustainability from the environment to economics, Bhavini Patel, Executive Director for Sustainable Pittsburgh, talks about the intersection of policy, sustainability, and a global perspective within a local context
Retiring into an entirely different career
Guido Girimonti had a whole career in safety, as an EMT and firefighter, before retiring early to become a Land Manager for the Allegheny Land Trust where he says “the woods is my office.”
Keeping sustainability in focus
As Sustainability Manager for EQT Corporation, Amber Kara ensures sustainability is always a priority in the natural gas sector.
Designing the built environment to support communities
Chris Cieslak, Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Programs at Green Building Alliance, brings her engineering, construction, and program management expertise to bear to support addressing climate change through the built environment
Change doesn’t come overnight
Key skills needed in law are “attention to detail, reading, and writing,” said Ned Mulcahy, a Staff Attorney for Group Against Smog and Pollution. In environmental law, he said, you can add one more: patience.
Learning what a community needs and wants
The mantra of an Environmental Justice Organizer like Kat Bakrania is “Follow the money, confront the power, make the change!”
Advocating for people and their environments
As Sustainable Communities Director for the Green Building Alliance, Alyssa Lyon is passionate about advancing environmental justice and ensuring that marginalized people and neighborhoods get the amenities and resources they need.
