Description: There are a handful of consulting firms out there that specialize purely in energy and sustainability engagements. These firms are generally on the smaller side, especially compared to the bigger players in management consulting, but often take on large projects with big-name clients given their specialized expertise.

Projects: Projecting power prices, helping utilities plan their electricity generation mix (integrated resource planning), computing valuations of energy assets, putting together decarbonization plans, and more. Some of these firms also specialize more on the research and insights side, writing industry reports that they offer for sale (See the Research, Insights, & Media for firms that specialize in this function).

Clients: Investment banks, private equity, independent power producers, utilities, state and local governments, Fortune 500 companies, and energy asset owners.

Pros: Energy-only consulting firms offer the unique opportunity to specialize in the energy industry right after graduation and guarantee that all your project work will be energy related. Analysts working for energy-only consulting firms also generally have better hours than their traditional management consulting counterparts.

Cons: Given the specific nature of the work, there is less flexibility to pivot to different practice areas/industries if you end up finding a different passion. Upwards mobility may also not be as predictable as in larger management consulting firms.

Timeline: Later than other firms. Application deadlines are typically late fall/early winter of the preceding year.

Process: Resume screening; Behavioral interview; Possible case or energy-related exercise. For energy-only and mid-size firm interviews energy knowledge is highly valued.

Description: There are a variety of other consultancies that operate across multiple industries but have a large energy team that offers specialized positions to undergraduates, allowing analysts to guarantee that they will be working on energy-related projects. Generally, these firms are smaller than the large management consulting firms, serve a narrower set of industries, and are well-known for their energy practice. Functionally, the roles at these firms are very similar to those at energy-only firms.

Projects: Projecting power prices, computing valuations of energy assets, putting together decarbonization plans, assisting with renewable development strategy.

Clients: Investment banks, private equity, independent power producers, utilities, state and local governments, Fortune 500 companies, and energy asset owners. Generally serve more public companies than energy-only firms, mainly because of their larger size.

Pros: Energy specialization, easier to switch to a different industry than energy-only, better company resources and name recognition than energy-only, generally better hours than management consulting.

Cons: More bureaucracy than energy-only, no guarantee that the people in your office will be on the energy team, possibly less prestige/name recognition than management consulting.

Timeline: Similar to large consulting firms, but usually a month or two behind. Application deadlines tend to fall in August/September of the preceding year. Offers go out in the fall/winter.

Process: Generally less formal than large management consulting firms. Resume and cover letter screening; Behavioral interview; Possible case interview/presentation (usually energy specific)

Description: Many big-name management consulting firms have energy and sustainability teams that take on very similar engagements to the energy-only and mid-size firms. However, these teams generally make up only a small portion of the larger firm. Often, these firms only hire recent graduates as “generalists,” meaning they could be placed on engagements across any industry for roughly the first two years. Generalists can eventually move to a more specialized role on the energy team through internal networking and demonstrating interest in the field.

Projects: Projecting power prices, computing valuations of energy assets, putting together decarbonization plans, assisting with renewable development strategy, etc.

Clients: Investment banks, private equity, independent power producers, utilities, state and local governments, Fortune 500 companies, and energy asset owners. Likely to have larger clients than energy-only and mid-size firms because of their name recognition and size.

Pros: Straightforward and well-known recruiting process, development of broadly transferable skills, better name recognition, predictable and linear career advancement.

Cons: No guarantee of energy specialization until later in your career, usually longer hours/more travel, could be stuck in sectors that don’t interest you.

Timeline: Earliest recruiting cycle, internship/full-time application deadlines tend to be in July/August of the preceding year. Offers go out in the fall.

Process: Resume and cover letter screening (and sometimes online assessment); First round interviews (behavioral and case); Final round interviews (2-4 case interviews)

Description: Other consulting firms are less focused on energy, but instead specialize in ESG and company-wide sustainability. This includes creating decarbonization plans, but also in measuring and verifying emissions, assisting with ESG reporting and disclosure, and improving climate resiliency.

Projects: Decarbonization strategy, ESG disclosure advisory, emissions measurement and verification, impact assessments

Clients: Mostly public companies that are now required to disclose ESG data. Could also be tasked with building decarbonization plans for private companies, schools, or governments.

Timeline: Highly varied, but generally on the later side. Application deadlines are typically in the late fall through winter of the preceding year (possibly into spring).

Process: Also varies widely. Most likely includes a resume screen and behavioral interview. ESG firms could potentially require a case interview.

Description: A final group of consulting firms focuses on the built-environment portion of the sustainability challenge. Breaking it down further, there is one group that specializes in sustainability advisory for large-scale infrastructure projects, such as energy or real estate development. Another group works on a smaller scale, helping businesses and building mangers optimize the energy they use with efficiency upgrades and sustainable design.

Projects: Building energy audits, LEED certification, energy procurement strategy, energy efficiency strategy, environmental impact assessments, construction and development environmental compliance

Clients: Manufacturers, real estate developers and owners, private and public companies that own offices and factories, schools, governments.

Timeline: Highly varied, but generally on the later side. Application deadlines are typically in the late fall through winter of the preceding year (possibly into spring).

Process: Also varies widely. Most likely includes a resume screen and behavioral interview. ESG firms could potentially require a case interview.