It doesn’t take much effort to notice the impact of energy and environmental concerns on American life. Debates over climate change are coupled with a growing urgency to “free ourselves from foreign oil,” as the saying goes. Moreover, geopolitics are subject to serious disruption by fluctuations in energy supply and environmental policy. The future holds great opportunity for these industries, who will play a critical role in determining the fate of our world.

Excited yet? To help you determine if a career in these industries is right for you, and to assist your job and internship search, the Office of Career Services hosted an advisory panel featuring experienced actors in the field, including three Harvard College alumni. Collectively, the panelists represent a variety of fields and perspectives on these growing sectors.

For example, current HBS student Olivia Leskinen ‘03 comes from four years with Shell Oil, a traditional power player in oil and energy more broadly. Her work included various supply chain roles, including sales and inventory, as well as production planner and supervisor. After graduation, she will return to McKinsey, where she will focus on energy clients. “For those looking for an international experience, know that energy is truly a global industry with interesting geopolitics” she said. “Plus, oil and gas companies provide great training and experience!”

Jeremy Doochin, a Kirkland non-resident Public Service tutor, looks elsewhere for opportunity. His career thus far has included service on the Sierra Club Board of Directors, where he set strategy and policy for 1.4 million members and over 500 staff, and as a Special Adviser at the U.S. Department of Energy where he advised the distribution of $14 billion in stimulus spending. Now the co-founder and president of U.S. Green Data, Doochin was excited about his work. “We’re just starting to dig into the ‘energy information’ industry,” he exclaimed, an industry borne of a digital connected world.

The other panelists fell somewhere in between, supporting and executing entrepreneurship in the field. Zak Farkes ‘06, after spending six years in the MLB minor leagues “waiting for Jason Varitek to retire,” is now right-hand man to the COO of Solectria Renewables. Karla Franco was formerly NE regional director for the Cleantech Open and is now Operations Director for Cambrian Innovation, an environmental product development firm. And Joe Abel ‘07, another current HBS student, spent time with Sungevity, a CA-based startup.

The panelists noted a variety of “hot trends” in their respective industries, including but not limited to work with lightbulbs and LEDs; development of censors and their application; shifts toward natural gas production; cutting down energy waste; and data innovation. Above all, the panelists praised the “fast pace” and exciting future of their work, a future that will be shaped by “problem solvers” of all stripes. “Being able to ‘connect’ ideas is a hugely valuable skill set,” said Doochin. “If you can see problems in society, and if you can create a sustainable business model to solve it, you can start a business. It’s that easy.”

—Nicandro Iannacci, ’13