Career transition strategies from energy consulting - looking for higher compensation paths

Management consulting Management consulting careers and networking
1

Hello community!

I just landed a junior role at a small energy consulting firm in London for £40k, but I’m wondering if there are better paths out there. I have an Economics master’s degree finishing next year and worked at a big consulting company before this. I really want to figure out the best way to boost my earnings while staying in the energy space.

Option 1: Sticking with consulting

The typical progression seems to be:

  • Junior consultant → Senior → Principal → Partner
  • Working on stuff like renewable energy projects and sustainability audits

Good things about this path:

  • Clear steps up the ladder
  • Get to work with different clients
  • Could lead big projects eventually

Not so good:

  • Pay might stay flat until you make partner (takes forever)
  • Small firms don’t always have great bonuses
  • Crazy hours when you get more senior

Questions I have:

  1. Anyone here start around £40k and actually make it to partner level? What helped you get there faster?
  2. Should I try to jump to one of the big consulting firms instead?
  3. How do you start building relationships with clients early in your career?

Option 2: Moving to corporate or finance

Corporate energy companies

  • Jobs like business analyst, sustainability manager, market researcher
  • Better work-life balance usually
  • Might get stock options or profit sharing

Questions:

  1. Which corporate energy roles typically pay more than £40k from the start?
  2. How do you negotiate the full package when leaving consulting?
  3. Best way to show your consulting wins in corporate interviews?

Banking and investment roles

  • Energy investment banking, green finance, lending to energy companies
  • Much higher bonus potential
  • Super competitive and long hours
  • Less technical energy work

Questions:

  1. What extra qualifications helped people move into energy finance?
  2. Are smaller finance firms better than big banks for starting salary?
  3. What shocked you most about switching from consulting to finance?

General advice needed

  • How do you rewrite your resume when moving away from consulting?
  • What problems did you run into during a big career change?
  • Any special programs or connections that helped you land a higher paying job quickly?

Would love to hear from anyone who has made similar moves in the energy industry. Thanks for sharing your experiences!

2

£40k sounds about right for London energy consulting straight out of uni. Small firms are basically training programs with nowhere to go up. Big4 pays better (£45-50k) but you’ll have zero life. Want decent money without the misery? Check out utility companies - Centrica, EON, those guys. They’re desperate for people who get both business and energy. £50-55k starting plus actual bonuses, not empty partnership promises. And you won’t be stuck at client offices 24/7.

3

Been there mate! Started at £38k in environmental consulting 3 years ago. The biggest game-changer wasn’t switching industries - it was getting my chartership (CEnv) while working. Sounds boring but clients started requesting me specifically once I had those letters after my name. Jumped to £55k within 18 months by becoming the go-to person for carbon footprinting work. Professional qualifications get overlooked but they’re way faster than waiting for promotions. Also, don’t sleep on government consulting - they pay surprisingly well and you’re still doing proper energy work with better job security than private sector.

4

Network like crazy at energy conferences! That’s how I jumped from £42k to £65k in two years. Forget job boards - build real connections with people running these companies. Your economics background is perfect - energy firms are dying for people who get market dynamics.