A group of Dartmouth undergraduate students that participated in the Irving Institute’s Gulf Coast Energy Immersion Trip this past Winterim. Students learned about the vibrant energy landscape of climate tech startups at Greentown Labs’s Houston office by engaging with a variety of industry professionals. (Photo Credit: Angus C. McReynolds)
By the Irving Institute for Energy and Society
It’s hard to imagine a more dynamic and critical profession than energy and climate – and young talent with diverse backgrounds and skills are in high demand. These workforces are undergoing rapid expansion. There are so many possibilities to contribute to a greener, more sustainable, more equitable future with a career in climate and energy that it might feel a little overwhelming! The Irving Institute is here to help you navigate your climate and energy career journey – read their tips to get you started!
- Get to Know the Career Possibilities
The spectrum of energy and climate careers is as diverse as the challenges they aim to address. From pioneering advancements in solar power, hydrogen, and wind energy to navigating the intricate worlds of climate tech finance, energy policy, and beyond, if you have the passion, there’s a career for you.
Wondering where to begin?
- Research key energy and climate sectors and start to discover what sparks your interests.
- Sign up for the Irving Institute’s Dartmouth Energy Collaborative listserv and our monthly newsletter to stay informed about upcoming career exploration, networking, skills-building opportunities and more!
- Engage in an Irving Institute program or event to learn more about key sectors and meet climate and energy professionals:
- Our Energy Immersion Trips to Appalachia in the spring and the Gulf Coast in the winter provide firsthand experiences to interact with many different sectors and people at the center of the energy transition.
- New Energy Series talks offer opportunities to hear from early-career energy researchers sharing their discoveries and perspectives on energy-related topics.
- And our growing library of Sparks videos features alums from across industries and graduation years talking about their career journeys.
2. Narrow In on a (First!) Niche
Reflect on your research and identify the segments that resonate with you the most. Consider what aspects you liked or disliked about each, and think about how they align with your professional and personal goals. Remember, your choice isn’t set in stone—this is just the beginning!
3. Develop Your Skills
Once you’ve chosen a niche, it’s time to get familiar with skills and knowledge areas that can set you up for success with internships/jobs in that area. Look for appealing job listings and check the qualifications needed. Don’t worry if you don’t have all the skills yet — we’re here to help!
The Irving Institute offers a variety of ways to help you round out your resume!
- Our bootcamps on Clean Energy Finance (scheduled for April 12-13, 2024) and Electricity Grids and Markets (planned for fall 2024) jumpstart your skills and knowledge around the critical role of finance in accelerating the adoption of renewables, how electrical grids physically operate, and the markets and regulation that govern how electricity is supplied.
- Our Student Grant Program offers up to $5,000 per term for students interested in
- exploring research topics
- working in an unpaid or underpaid internship
- traveling to a conference, or
- signing up for a non-Dartmouth energy- or climate-focused educational program.
4. Find an Internship or Job
Ready to embark on your search? There are some steps you can take on your own:
For those interested in startups, explore venture capital firms’ investments and reach out directly. Climate tech incubators and accelerators also frequently post job opportunities. Dartmouth’s Magnuson Center for Entrepreneurship is also a terrific resource in this space.
Numerous energy- and climate-specific job sites can simplify your job search — check out some of our recommended job and internship websites and boards here.
The Irving Institute Internship Resources page highlights select opportunities each week of the term. Three great examples that have just crossed our desks:
Reach out to the Irving Institute directly! Wherever you are in your climate and energy career search, the Irving Institute is here to help.
- Stop by our weekly Climate and Energy Careers Office Hours, Tuesdays from 12-1 pm in the Irving Institute Project Hub (First floor, Irving building) or
- Email Irving Institute Experiential Learning Coordinator Angus McReynolds (angus.c.mcreynolds@dartmouth.edu) to set up a time to talk!
