8 Myths Keeping Women Out of Energy Careers Today

It’s Time for Women to Rethink Energy Careers

Think energy careers aren’t a good fit for you? Think again. Careers in energy can be incredibly rewarding, but many women skip over open positions because they’re unaware of how much the industry has to offer and, all too often, believe some myths about what it’s really like to work in the sector. Below, we’ll break down some of the most common myths keeping women out of energy careers, explore why these myths exist, and bust them.

Myth #1: There aren’t many women in energy careers

Research shows that just 15% of those employed in the oil and gas sectors are women, when close to half the American workforce is female, so it is a male-dominated industry. However, there are many women already active in the industry and they’ve done a fair job of paving the way for more.

Myth #2: I need an engineering degree

Certainly, the industry needs more female engineers. Those with backgrounds in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) are highly sought after and are compensated incredibly well as a result. However, there are lots of energy careers for those without energy-related degrees or STEM backgrounds.

Myth #3: I’d have to take a dangerous job

There are dangerous jobs in the industry, but like any business, the sector has all sorts of positions that support business operations, from administrative work through human resources, analyst roles, sales, and more.

Myth #4: The glass ceiling will stall my career

Men outnumber women in leadership roles, but companies that have women at the top outperform those which don’t. The industry realizes this and there’s a huge movement to bring more women into various energy careers. It’s also worth noting that the sector is incredibly diverse, so there’s lots of room to pivot and find something that suits your goals or offers new challenges.

Myth #5: There are no good role models

Pink Petro is packed full of inspirational stories of women who have achieved great feats. It only takes a few clicks to find them. For those who want a more immersive experience, the Lean In Energy Mentoring Program is a great resource with over 1,000 members and counting. (And it's free!)

Myth #6: My employer won't share my values

When people refer to values in the sector, they’re often referring to the elephant in the room: environmental concerns. In reality, a recent survey shows that 93% of oil and gas execs believe climate change is real and 67% of their companies want to be part of the solution. Because women are statistically more inclined to have green values, they’re leading the way to a greener future from within the industry.

Those with concerns about work/ life balance will be pleasantly surprised to find that the industry offers great flexibility, with many companies allowing for alternative work schedules (flexible, compressed, telecommute, and more) as well as holidays and vacations.

Myth #7: I’m not wanted in the industry

There is a huge movement to attract more women to energy careers today. In fact, organizations are starting early and trying to get more girls to study STEM subjects to ensure gender disparities are not an issue in the future. In the here and now, companies are focusing on new ways to attract women to the industry and understand the benefits of having a diverse team.

Myth #8: There aren't any "good" jobs open

Energy careers are exploding right now because the industry is seeing rapid growth, especially in areas like green energy and sustainability. New positions literally open up on a daily basis, so if the sector interests you, it’s worthwhile to set up a job alert and be notified when a position which
suits your skills and career goals open.