High School

In high school, take a general college preparatory curriculum that includes classes in business, mathematics, history, science, computer science, social studies, and computer science. Take English and speech classes to hone your oral and written communication skills. Learning a foreign language will come in handy if you plan to work for a firm that provides consulting services to international clients.

Postsecondary Education

You will need a minimum of a bachelor’s degree to become an energy consultant. Many, but not all, energy consultants have educational backgrounds in engineering, economics, business, finance, law, or environmental science. Some employers—especially major consulting firms—prefer to hire consultants with a graduate degree, or at least a bachelor’s degree plus several years of appropriate work experience.

Some colleges, including the University of Colorado-Boulder, University of Notre Dame, and the College of William & Mary, offer degrees and concentrations in consulting.

After they are hired, energy consultants participate in on-the-job training. These programs may include instruction on firm policies and procedures, management practices and principles, and computer systems and software.

Certification

Georgetown University, University of Southern California, the University of Texas at Dallas, and other colleges and universities offer consulting certificate programs. Contact these schools to learn more.

Other Education or Training

Many professional associations provide continuing-education opportunities to consultants. For example, the Institute of Management Consultants USA offers the QuickStart Training for those just starting a new consulting practice or re-focusing an existing one. Educational opportunities are also available in face-to-face seminars and online webinars, at its International Consult-Con conference, and through other media. Many other national and state consulting associations provide continuing-education opportunities.

Certification or Licensing

Consultants who meet minimum educational and experience criteria, in addition to passing a rigorous examination, can earn the certified management consultant designation from the Institute of Management Consultants USA. The Association of Energy Engineers offers several certification designations, including energy service & commissioning, sustainable development, utility services, and energy efficiency & management. Becoming certified is voluntary, but it is a great way to demonstrate your expertise to potential employers.

It will take several years of on-the-job experience to be considered a full-fledged energy consultant. While in college, try to obtain as much experience as possible in the field by participating in summer internships and working at part-time jobs.

Demonstrated skill in economics, spreadsheet analysis, and financial forecasting as well as knowledge of the various energy industry sectors, is required to be successful in this career. Energy consultants need excellent oral and written communication skills because they frequently interact with colleagues and clients, prepare reports, and make presentations. Other important traits include strong ethics, confidence, flexibility, creativity, curiosity, an analytical personality, and a willingness to continue to learn throughout one’s career.