The image of the energy industry is impacting its ability to attract top talent while the challenges the industry faces requires the best that universities can offer. Energy has nowhere near the popularity of other industries. This is partly due to its history of negative publicity. Current news events have added to the stigma. The image is equally impacted by the perception of it being a mature industry with cyclical layoffs and a far less lucrative upside than newer technologies. Yet, the need for energy is growing and the technology challenge to find it is considerably more demanding.

Unfortunately, the demographics of the energy talent pool do not bode well for the industry retaining its intellectual capability over the coming decade. Couple the demographics with the poor image and the industry may be facing a crisis in energy careers. The energy industry needs to work itself back up the ladder of what is hot for aspiring talent. We need a renaissance in people aspiring for energy careers. Industry leaders, educators, and other relevant parties need to engage in focusing on the drivers that can re-energize energy careers. Houston is the only city with the critical mass of energy leadership to even begin to tackle this problem; no one company can change the image; it requires a community effort. One part of this solution is the University of Houston’s Global Energy Management Institute that is focusing on energy education and providing a forum for the energy community to address this critical issue.

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