Knowing all of your options is critical when deciding what career to pursue. A college degree has been the obvious student choice for many years. However, increasing tuition rates and potential debt have made students take a step back. Attitudes surrounding college degrees are beginning to shift. Alternative career paths are not only available but in high demand. For those in high school searching for a great career, steady salary, an outdoor work environment, and a chance to make a positive impact, consider pursuing a career in the energy sector as an oil and gas field inspector. With the recent federal funding of the REGROW (Revive Economic Growth and Reclaim Orphaned Wells) Act, oil and gas field inspectors are in high demand to solve both the energy and environmental challenges of the country. A government job in regulatory oversight could provide a stable and well-paying position that could turn into a long-term career path. 

What is an oil and gas field inspector? 

Oil and gas field inspectors work for the government agency with primary regulatory jurisdiction over the oil and natural gas industry in their region (state, federal, tribal). The inspector exercises their agency’s statutory responsibilities under state and federal laws for regulation and enforcement of the region’s energy industries. A field inspector's goal is to ensure that energy companies follow all regulations to ensure that hydrocarbons are extracted, produced and distributed in a manner to protect the health and safety of the public and the natural environment.  

How do oil and gas field inspectors make a positive impact? 

Because field inspectors are charged with enforcing government laws pertaining to the oil and gas industry, they are the first line of defense to protect the public and the environment. In addition, oil and gas field inspectors are promoting best practices within their region to ensure that the economic resources under their jurisdiction are utilized to benefit the energy needs of the country. Their position is critical for upholding safe standards for drilling, operation and permanent closure of energy resource wells.

How much education do I need?

The specific responsibilities of an oil and gas field inspector vary. Depending on the type of job, you may need more or less education and experience. As a result, educational requirements to become a field inspector can range from a high school diploma to a bachelor's degree. Those with a high school diploma willing to get the training and experience necessary for higher-level jobs can work their way up the career ladder.

How much money do oil and gas field inspectors make? 

Salary will depend on the complexity of the jobs performed. According to Zipp Recruiter, the compensation for an oil and gas field inspector as of 2022 can range from $12,000 to $100,000 a year. The average salary is $54,614 a year. Inspectors with higher-level training and experience will have more technical jobs and, therefore, more opportunities to increase their earnings.

How can I get started? 

The diversity of job positions available as an oil and gas field inspector provides a number of entry points. For those seeking a college degree, a bachelor's in petroleum engineering is an excellent route to the doorstep of a regulatory agency. And for those who would like to enter the workforce immediately after high school, other avenues can lead to an oil and gas inspector career, for example, becoming a field inspector assistant, completing an educational program geared towards oil and gas field inspectors, or obtaining a certification related to wellsite fundamentals. Requirements and prerequisites may vary depending on the agency where you would like to work. Keep in mind that a high school diploma is a minimum national requirement.

For more information on energy careers visit Smart Energy Education!

The Industrial Revolution brought about a sequence of events that dramatically changed the planet's trajectory. After centuries of consistency, the days of monarchies, travel on horseback, and buying clothes strictly out of necessity slowly faded into the past. New technologies and the ability to use natural resources to maximize and produce energy made it possible for inventions like the steam engine, electric generators, and the incandescent lightbulb to bring humanity into a new age. In a short span, factories made it possible for clothing to be more accessible to the average person. Trains and then cars became standard methods of transportation. Suddenly, crops could be grown in abundance like never before. 

The ability to use the power of energy to make manufacturing goods, transportation, and producing food more efficient eliminated obstacles communities had faced for centuries. Cities grew into the clustered, bustling areas we are familiar with today. Likewise, medications and health improved, and the quality of life for many was greatly enhanced. Parallel to these strides forward came new inventions meant to make our lives easier and solve existing problems. 

Plastic is one such invention. Plastic is created with fossil fuels and was invented as a diverse synthetic material that can be used for nearly any product. Its durable, water resistant, made to last, and cheap to produce, making it a popular medium for everything from containers and water bottles to clothes and home decorations. 

Unfortunately, using fossil fuels to create energy, goods, and more has proved to have adverse side effects on the environment. In the case of plastic, the fossil fuels used throughout its production release large amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere, increasing the severity of the greenhouse effect and contributing to global warming and climate change. At the same time, most plastics produced worldwide are single-use, meaning they are discarded nearly immediately after they are sold. These plastics are then disposed of in landfills or the ocean, where they can take 400 years to decompose, all the while releasing additional CO2 into the atmosphere, damaging wildlife and exacerbating the already damaging cycle of contamination, human activities, and the environment. 

To make matters worse, because plastic takes so long to break down, eventually, tiny little pieces of plastic end up being released into the environment. These are known as microplastics and are too small to be seen with the naked eye. Their effects on the human body have not been well-researched at this time. Yet, they have been detected in commonly eaten fish, drinking water, beer, and even in the air. 

While plastic continues to be an ongoing, imminent problem, some nations have begun to take action to reduce its impact. With African countries like Kenya and South Africa leading the way, there is hope for a plastic-free future. 

Kenya's strict ban on single-use plastics includes a $40,000 fine for companies that don't comply. In Rwanda, a national ban on non-biodegradable plastic bags was instituted in 2008, and in Cameroon, non-biodegradable plastics were banned entirely in 2014. While implementing and enforcing these laws have been challenging, innovative solutions are being developed to tackle the problem. In 2023, nations like Canada and England announced their own efforts to combat the plastic crisis.

Human activities have a significant impact on the planet. What we dump into our oceans and lakes, what we burn into the air, and what we bury under the ground ends up in the water we drink, the air we breathe, and the food we eat. Ridding the world of toxic waste is paramount for a healthy future. 

To learn more about the impact of human activities on the environment and energy resources, visit Resourcefulness.org. Also, discover amazing energy careers and energy-related activities through Smart Energy Education and Watt Watchers. Also Available on Instagram and Facebook!

Career-Connected Learning, sometimes referred to as Work-Based Learning, is an educational model that introduces students to career paths and employment opportunities through interactive programs and partnerships with established business entities, professionals, and experts in different fields. It is a model that has successfully been adopted worldwide and has proven effective in carving a path to fill skills gaps in industries lacking qualified job applicants. 

The United States currently faces several challenges regarding educational and professional pathways. Increasing tuition costs for four-year universities and a decrease in related employment opportunities have made many students reconsider their post-high school education and career options. Many feel confident that they are not ready for the economic stress coupled with traditional universities but are also often unaware of lucrative alternative opportunities. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is currently a concerning gap in qualified middle-skill workers in the United States. Defined as a job that requires more education and training than a high school degree but less than one earned through a four-year university, middle-skill jobs are some of the most in-demand and well-paid in recent years. However, in pushing students towards more academic, university-centered careers, the current educational system has failed to present jobs in the middle-skill sector as beneficial and often necessary alternatives. The juxtaposition of these two circumstances offers a unique opportunity for career collective and work-based learning programs to thrive. 

With employers reporting a significant lack of job applicants with minimum relevant work experience, technical, vocational, and soft skills, government agencies have created programs to combat the issue. Educational models incorporating career-connected learning (CCL), work-based learning (WBL), and vocational education and training are now being developed along with government funding and assistance initiatives. Included are employer subsidies in the form of grants, reimbursements, or tax credits, which vary depending on each state's unique laws and regulations. The economic initiatives coupled with program expansion efforts in different states represent a significant step forward to fill the skills gap; however, partnerships between educators and employers need to be emphasized for any real change to be sustained. When creating career-connected learning pathways, vocational skill-building opportunities such as apprenticeships and internships are critical. 

A great example of these programs is Career Connect Washington, a community leadership organization that creates work-based academic programs for students. Through the use of their CCW Program Directory, they are able to publish career-connected partnerships and opportunities that students in the area can then choose to pursue. This type of network is significant because it creates and shines a light on job opportunities in the students' area while providing them an avenue to receive the education and training needed for the job. With the help of grants as well as organizations such as Microsoft Philanthropies, Washington State Building and Construction Trades Council, Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, and many more, Career Connect Washington has succeeded in creating a community focused on building multiple sustainable pathways to lucrative careers for young students. 

Career-connected learning programs are pivotal to the future fulfillment and success of the United States' middle-class jobs. Energy and sustainability careers are often associated with rigorous STEM degrees which leads them to be overlooked by students. However, opportunities in the energy sector are abundant, and can present themselves to those with varying educational backgrounds. At the end of the day, for environmental and sustainability efforts to be sustained in a community all aspects of infrastructure and industry need to work together and do their part. Traditional universities and careers that require only a high school degree are not for everyone, and thankfully they are also not the only option. If you are an educator or student, look into your area's career-connected and work-based learning opportunities. You could even be the first to reach out to organizations that may want to create a program with your school. 

For more information regarding alternative careers in the energy sector, visit the Smart Energy Education website!

Our ability to pass on information from generation to generation, known as collective learning, stands as a hallmark of what makes us unique as human beings. Before modern civilization, it was imperative to communicate knowledge regarding animal migration, safe vegetation, and climate patterns to survive in the wild. The knowledge we have accumulated over centuries has allowed us to advance far beyond any other animal on the planet and continues to be a pivotal factor contributing to our future. Society today is drastically different from what it used to be. 

Essential knowledge for our survival, that which deserved priority for the education of younger generations, was more obvious when the threats to our survival had fangs and made loud, intimidating noises. Modern-day threats are much more subtle and are often man-made. Additionally, history has taught us that knowledge is power; therefore, political and economic factors often contribute more directly to the education system and can unfortunately fail or even consciously choose not to see the importance of specific topics. Energy education has slowly but surely become a top priority for the world's strongest superpowers and with it investment in sustainability efforts has allowed a new wave of educational programs to emerge. 

However, energy education can be very broad. It consists of everything from what energy itself is and what types of energy resources we currently have at our disposal to how energy can be used to make our lives easier. New technology can be exceptionally exciting. The advancements made during the industrial revolution in Great Britain catapulted the nation into a new era and allowed them to become one of the world's most influential and powerful nations. However, the environmental consequences created due to people's ignorance regarding these new technologies continue to affect the world to this day. 

The first thing that needs to be understood is that energy is a pivotal part of nearly every industry in the world. It is the foundation of our infrastructural systems and can influence us in the form of the water and food we consume, the way we use transportation, the comfort levels we experience in our homes, and much more. Therefore, passing down what we have learned about the consequences of irresponsible energy consumption is essential if any real change is going to be achieved. 

Collective learning is important because, since the 1800s, our knowledge surrounding energy resources and the effect of using them responsibly has grown exponentially. However, our effort to combat the negative effects of our actions has not been quite as significant. Modern-day energy education needs to be revamped and fortified, and to be taken seriously; the community must see environmental sustainability as a priority for the future. 

Educators tasked with incorporating new sustainability resources into their curriculums need to be aware of current political standpoints, government policy as well as new technological innovations. These factors determine the margins in which energy professionals may do their jobs and can reveal vital gaps in our energy systems. For example, the UK's new law set to reduce emissions by 78% by 2035 will force those currently working in the energy sector to pivot their approach and use of energy resources substantially. This requires additional training, resources, and time. In some cases, new careers need to be created, and in all cases, old careers will need to be updated to meet the new demand. 

Trade careers, such as those that involve plumbing and HVAC technicians, are often not considered when thinking of energy education; however, they play a pivotal role in the energy sector and can have a huge impact on clean energy. The restructuring of our energy systems that is due to take place throughout the next decade will soon require the development of trade skill pathways for energy careers. With increasing costs associated with four-year universities along with decreasing guarantee of employment after graduation, this could mean new, lucrative opportunities for those who choose to take on a trade program instead. Additionally, with the need to repair or rebuild aging infrastructure, the demand for qualified skilled trade workers will continue to grow. 

The importance of collective action must also be strongly emphasized. Community standards in regards to clean energy as well as expectations surrounding energy resources can have a huge impact on the energy industry. When the community comes together to assure energy education is being incorporated into the curriculum at schools and conservation efforts such as recycling programs are being implemented and maintained, it can assure that collective learning in these communities is sustained and can guarantee long-term positive effects. 

For more information on clean energy careers, at-home activities for students, and much more, visit Smart Energy Education!

The New Year has finally come, so let us raise a toast to new beginnings and new opportunities. As we discussed in our Energy Awareness blog post, Energy is an integral part of our lives and is one of the most sought-after products in the world. Energy conservation efforts, scientific discoveries, and the general human desire to improve our daily lives will always be conducive to change. History has demonstrated that minor occurrences and ideas can lead to technology's most innovative leaps forward. Government projects and proposals, amongst other factors, set to commence in 2022 are due to shake up the energy sector and allow new jobs and opportunities to surface. Let us break down some key factors set to impact Energy in 2022. 

Climate change has been a controversial subject around the world for years. While some suggest that climate change should not be considered an international crisis, growing scientific evidence, and current unusual weather changes have helped catapult concern for the environment around the world. Efforts surrounding recycling, water conservation, and renewable resources are set to increase significantly in the upcoming years, opening the door to new industries, technologies, and ideas. 

According to a new AP-NORC/EPIC poll and the University of Chicago, climate change concerns are substantial and increasing. Three in four Americans agree that climate change is real. Forty-one percent conclude that it is caused primarily by human activity; you can expect to see support for the clean energy movement to pick up some speed in the upcoming months. Taking some time to research the effects of global warming along with discovering what you and your family can do to slow it down could get you ahead of the game for the new year. The most remarkable change comes from influential organizations; therefore, people in high-ranking positions within the energy industry who care about the environment are key to future progress. If you find yourself in a position where a career change seems to be the right choice for you, or are a high school student, consider looking into a career in energy through University or a trade program. 

The incredible advancements accomplished in recent years, such as those for electric cars thanks to the new public interest and significant investments, mark the beginning of a new age in Energy. It seems the world has finally begun to see the importance of renewable energy for our future. Goals to reduce the use of coal in nations worldwide, like the ones here in the United States, will leave a vacuum in the energy sector. Improvements to existing clean energy technology, such as wind turbines or water plants, will be required to keep up with the demand for power these countries must meet. Accompanied by an increasingly clean energy market, accelerated demand for new technology is bound to follow. Clean energy technology flourished in 2021, likely due to the COVID 19 Pandemic that temporarily limited the use of public buildings and transportation. But this does not mean everything will go back to usual once the pandemic ends. 

The world is hungry for change, and new technologies are being developed each day to help reach international clean energy goals. Taking some time this year to investigate new opportunities in energy could prove to be more lucrative than one might imagine. Something as small as making sure you turn off the lights in empty rooms or understanding the correct way to recycle to something as significant as pursuing a professional career in clean energy can make a substantial difference. 

Government policy will always be one of the main contributors to climate change reform. The laws that are put in place to address the disposal of waste, the use of the resources we have, and the type of resources that are used must be addressed and modified where appropriate if the clean energy goals the public wants to see are to be accomplished. In the past year, the United States and countries such as the UK and Mexico have experienced the beginning of progress in clean energy. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) bill passed in the US alone will create millions of jobs in the next two years and will open the doors to many of the opportunities mentioned above.  

If climate change is something you are passionate about or something you wish to become more educated about, this is a great year to get the ball rolling and make some real change! Support for clean energy is stronger than ever before. Students and young adults are due to experience a new opportunity to pursue a hands-on, highly in demand and high paying career if they feel a traditional four year university is not right for them. 

Take the first step by learning more about the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in our blog here! Then explore the Watt Watchers of Texas website and Resourcefulness resources available on Smart Energy Education to discover how engineers and scientists use technology to generate energy in our everyday lives. And don't forget to follow the Smart Energy Education Facebook page for updates on all our projects, scholarship opportunities, blog posts and more!

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