Is Public Utilities a Good Career Path?

So, is public utilities a good career path? No human on the planet would like to miss working in an environment enclosed with psychological safety and trust. If you are reading this article, it is a safe bet that you are hunting for good job security with many benefits and want to know; “is public utilities a good career path?”.

Unquestionably, yes! Public utilities are a good career path if you have an appetite to work on innovative projects in industries like natural gas, coal, and electricity; public utility is a good career path. On the brighter side, private utilities also provide next-generation customer solutions in essential service parameters.

The only difference between private utilities and public utilities is their ownership. However, both are regulated by government policies. If you are still wondering – “is public utilities a good career path?” continue reading!

Suppose you are just new to this subject. In that case, you will have a great learning experience about the utility industry till the end of this article. As a bonus, you will learn why the utility sector provides one good job security with many benefits.

Hold your horses and questions before you jump to answer – “is public utilities a good career path?”. You should be familiar with what a public utility is, the type of public utilities jobs, and what you must know before proceeding.

Here is your comprehensive guide to public utilities. Whether you are a beginner or have some years of experience and looking to switch your career path, this guide is for you!

Public Utilities – A Quick Overview

Usually, a public utility sector has many established private companies under its umbrella. These private companies take accountability for supplying essential services to the masses, including communication systems, electrical circuits, system repairs, natural gas, and electric power. Some of them have giant power plants for electricity generation.

The public utility industry mostly distributes electricity for trade under government regulation. Private utilities hire talented utility workers and utility managers to monitor the work.

Private utilities make money by charging customers with relatively complex relay estimation. However, public utility companies are not allowed to maximize profits because they are under regulation by the government. Many social media companies are on the verge of switching to public utilities.

Roles and Responsibilities of Employees (Utility Managers) in the Utility Industry

It seems like you are looking for the answer from a job outlook. Apart from the job description of a utility manager, we will also talk about the roles and responsibilities of utility workers.

Here’s the deeper run-down of what utility workers generally do in a private company:

1. Anything that requires workforce, machinery power, from customer service to infrastructure maintenance, checks electrical power, and tests electrical circuits. 
2. Perform a quality check and maintain motor control centers and program electrical outfit. 
3. Take accountability for delivering essential services within private utility parameters. 
4. Update electrical panel schedules and must-know tools and testing instruments. 
5. Responsible for performing assigned eclectic job-affiliated duties.
6. At the same time, keep checking the installed electrical outfit to overcome hazards.
7. Maintain the plant safety standards and be responsible for coordinating system repairs.
8. Inspects complex electrical systems and updates electrical panel schedules.
9. Operate programmable sense controls.

What Utility Managers Do in Their Profile?

There will be a surge in utility managers’ profiles in upcoming years. As per news sources, the United States itself will produce 71,600 (estimated) job opportunities. So if you are wondering how many jobs are there or will be there in utility industries, fret not! With the rise of private utilities, the role and responsibilities of a utility manager include: 

• A utility manager is accountable for analyzing public utilities, like water treatment, electrical plants, etc., to align with the general public’s interests. 
• The utility manager will manage utilities’ operation, distribution, and production. 
• Most importantly, utility managers will have to monitor and resolve operations issues. 

Side Note: Private and public utilities seek utility managers who know how to manage records and produce progress reports in sync with further plans. 

Quick Overview of Qualification Required to Become a Utility Industry Employee

• First of all, all employees must have a bachelor’s degree in engineering. 
• If you have a master’s degree, consider it the icing on the cake. 
• Secondly, people seeking the post of utility manager must have experience in roles such as staff nurse and case manager. 

What Are the Types of Public Utility Jobs?

Any kind of job vacancy is vacant for an employee in industries like telephone service, water, and electricity perfectly represents this answer. However, keep in mind that the public can own utilities, or they could be private. 

In addition and apart from the duties of the utility manager, the workers on the ground level are responsible for cleaning, installation, inspection, and coordinates of system repairs. Alongside this, employees in the utility sector also update electrical panel schedules.

Side Note: In private utilities, they train workers to perform and outrank the risk in gas, water, and power plants on on-the-job training. Furthermore, they receive training for performing best environmental practices.

Types of Utilities 

One can find distinct types of utilities in the sector and provide essential services. Under the utility sector, the private company could be one of the best natural gas providers. In addition, the electric power sector is the backbone of utilities. Check out the utilities: 

Public Utility

In the public utility sector, locally tagged officers or public workers manage the work. Under this sector, the goal is to provide essential services to the people, like water, gas, and electricity supply. You can consider public utilities as non-profit original government agencies. 

They work with the idea that revolves around providing essential services to communities. They do this so that their original cost and revenue result in profit for new installations. Public utility companies cover between small to mid-sized if you talk about the size. 

Examples of the leading public utility companies include Breckenridge Public Utilities Minnesota in mid-western U.S. states. Additionally, Burlington Electric Department in Vermont) state in the northeastern United States is another example. 

Electricco-Ops

The tagboard of directors governs Electric Co-ops. It is a type of non-private mileage business. If you talk about what they do, they provide cost-effective services. In a nutshell, Electric Co-ops is a privately owned business chain. For example, Great Lakes Energy Cooperative is one of the most talked-about names. 

Investor- Possessed Utility (IOUs)

Stop scratching your head if you don’t know what investor-posted utility is. Let us help you! Investor-Possessed Utilities thrive as intimately-possessed electricity and natural gas providers. Their idea is to raise the return production for investors. 

As a result, investor-posted utilities (IOUs) sometimes distribute profit to stockholders. Furthermore, the public utility commission regulates the rates with minimal client participation. 

Facts About the Public Utilities Career Path

• Do you know imperative energy companies retain their top talent utility managers in the United States? 
• To your surprise, the utility sector has a generally higher satisfaction rate than many different career paths. 
• The satisfaction graph for employees in the utility industry hovers between fairly satisfied and fully satisfied.
• One can access a huge range of career paths within the utilities and energy utilities. 
• The roles in distribution utilities are endless. For example, complex defensive relays. 
• Unknown to many, most distribution utilities are publicly owned. At the same time, privatization goes in the case of higher-income economics. 
• However, it boils down to one thing: both public and private utilities feel obtaining electricity connections is challenging. 

Pros and Cons of a Career Path in Public Utilities

Advantage aka Pros

1. You can unlock unlimited advantages during your tenure in such utility sector jobs. For example, if you want to pursue a career in energy, construction, and utilities, even as an electrician or gas worker, expect to receive full benefits upon withdrawal. 
2. Furthermore, as a utility worker, the chances are high that you will be responsible for choosing the time slot of work that best suits your schedule. Such sort of inflexibility of the position is one of the prime reasons people think of a career path in public utilities. 
3. Suppose you talk about the benefits of the construction field. In that case, you will be blessed because your career path has a high chance of crossing the path with many other companies. 

Cons aka Disadvantages

1. If you look at the cons of a career path in public utilities, a stressful work environment and hefty work conditions are at the top. Simultaneously, suppose you are not skilled enough. In that case, the chances are high that you might find difficulty finding a job in this sector. 
2. Furthermore, the site problem is the second prime reason for the major disadvantage of working in the utility sector. Did we mention most of the public utility companies serve as monopolies? 
3. To your surprise, some private companies in the utility sector remain in high debt because of their large infrastructure requirements. Talking of a few more disadvantages, they include being veritable presto like the speed of light. 

Final Words – Is Public Utilities a Good Career Path?

There is no risk to working in the energy and utility industry, including mine and a huge dam. With the surge in electricity generation and distribution, the public utility sector will provide you with great and healthy working opportunities. 

Here you can learn and grow about sustainable and clean energy. Alongside this, the salary of skilled utility managers is impressive in the United States. To earn a fair amount of money in a quick turnaround time, start a good career in the utility industry. 

Lastly, we will suggest you excel in your career in electric utility companies as they are in the electric power sector. And guess what? They are always in the quest to hire skilled utility managers. So what are you waiting for?