5 min read
An emerging focus on energy
In 2018, the Institute for the Future made headlines with their claim that 85% of the jobs that today’s students will do in 2030 don’t exist yet—a startling statement about the pace at which technology is changing our workforce.
And while building new CTE offerings requires significant investments in hiring, equipment, and curriculum, in some states like Virginia, Texas and Florida, a freshly added energy career cluster is exposing students to a variety of in-demand and rapidly growing careers.
One industry to power all others—literally
Every industry in today’s modern world relies on the reliability of another: energy. And while the methods of generation will develop and transform to match our needs, the demand for power is estimated to continue growing.
For example, a rise in demand for renewable energy has unlocked new funding streams for renewable energy adaptations like offshore wind projects and solar farms.
With the continued dominance and importance of technology in our world, it’s easy to see why energy careers are some of the hottest and most stable career choices of the future.
Four creative ways to help prepare your students for a career in energy
Careers in energy are robust—from engineering and design to technical and skilled trades to business support and analytics—so that many of today’s students can build their own individualized career pathway.
Whether or not your state offers a formal energy career cluster, consider trying some of the following activities in your district to get your students thinking about careers in the future-proof energy industry:
#1 - Energize your educator toolkit
From fellowships to grants to lesson plans, tons of resources are available—both inside and outside of the MajorClarity platform—for districts looking to buff up their energy curricula. Download this “Getting to Know the Industry” handout for a quick myth busting guide on careers in energy, share these ready-to-print career pathway fliers for guided career awareness mapping, and incorporate this Energy Career Quiz into your lesson plans to help students narrow down which career is best suited to their personal tastes.
You can also assign pathway “test drive” activities in the MajorClarity platform like watching a clip from Fabricio Montesdeoca, a Construction Project Manager with Dominion Energy.
#2 - Power up career fairs with local energy employers
Career fairs are long standing traditions for many school districts. Scout out your local power supplier(s), energy contractors, and/or environmental engineering firms to see if they’ll attend your district’s career fair—and make a specific day/hour for it! Don’t know how to get in touch with these organizations? Try using LinkedIn to connect with a recruiter or an HR representative.
#3 - Celebrate Careers in Energy Week
Did you know such a week existed? Careers in Energy Week is celebrated nationally during the middle of October and offers the perfect time frame to dig deep into this cluster’s many benefits. Check out this website for a list of the Top 10 Energy Occupations broken down by size, average wage, and minimum certification requirements to get started.
#4 - Give your students access to career micro-credentials
K–12 micro-credentials are the next big thing in career exploration, offering students the opportunity to get a taste of what a career in energy might entail without the physical limitations of a work-based learning experience. Energy is the newest micro-credential in the MajorClarity platform and was co-written with industry-leading partner Dominion Energy. See it in action here.
Energy exploration in MajorClarity
Interactive career exploration is a sustainable way to introduce students to careers in energy and other fast-growing industries.
Learn more about the new Energy Micro-credential in MajorClarity or request a private demonstration of the platform to see a full tour of tools from career exploration to academic planning and postsecondary preparation.
About MajorClarity Micro-Credentials
Micro-credentials are available to all MajorClarity partners with no extra add-on charges. Student micro-credential courses are built through close partnership with industry partners and can be completed on-demand.