Is Public Utility A Good Career Path? If you want to pursue an effective career that will guarantee your job stability and have a high rate of job satisfaction then public utility is a good choice for a job.
Everything you need to succeed and enjoy your work is available in the public utility sector. Companies and people under this job category include those that provide electricity, gas, or water services that are necessary for our everyday life.
Public utility jobs, in a broad sense, are financially rewarding and provide stability and possibilities, choosing a career for oneself will demand beyond a generalized idea of the business.
You can learn more about the jobs and other features in this post, which will enable you to make the right decision for yourself.
Is Public Utilities A Good Career Path?
Yes. A career in public utility may be highly rewarding in many ways, including job stability, high pay, and opportunities for promotion. Jobs in public utilities typically pay more than the national average for their respective fields, and they also provide employees with health insurance and other benefits.
Working in the public utility industry can provide you with the stability and personal fulfilment you seek, provided you have the necessary skills and experience. No one wants to take a job today just to find out they’ll be fired in three months.
Jobs in the public utility sector span many disciplines and fields, from engineering and administration to marketing and technology to customer service. Consequently, the public utility industry is ripe with opportunity.
Characteristics Of Public Utility
Public utilities are characterised by the following;
1. Provision Of Basic Goods And Services
Goods and services provided by public utilities are fundamental to human existence. Without them, society would be severely harmed. Utility companies supply essential goods and services to the public. Such as water and sewage treatment, transportation, electricity, gas supply and many more.
2. Time Guidelines
The term “public utilities” refers to monopolies that are under government supervision. They provide products and services that people need to survive. Any drop in service would have far-reaching social and economic consequences.
For instance, if the water supply is contaminated, it might lead to illness or even an epidemic; if the electricity supply is unreliable, it could force factories to shut down; and if the gas cylinders supplied have leaks, it could lead to human casualties. Since the public has a vested interest in the reliability, safety, and affordability of public utilities, strict guidelines have been put in place to govern how they operate.
3. Government Contracts
This is also referred to as franchising, it can be regarded as a contract between a government agency and a public service provider. The duration of the franchise agreement is fixed. Public utilities can lay cables and wires into public spaces like streets and government buildings due to the terms of the franchise.
Advantages And Disadvantages Of Public Utility
Your satisfaction in a particular job majorly depends on where you live, the kind of jobs available and other factors. Let’s discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the public utility to know if it is a good career path or not.
Advantages
- Public Utility Jobs Requires Minimal Education Or Experience- Some jobs require some level of education and experience while some require no education at all. As a rule, no formal schooling is needed to enter the workforce at the entry-level. Almost anyone who meets the prerequisites can apply for these jobs and get hired.
- Jobs in public utilities typically pay well because of their significance to society- Public utility workers may expect to earn an average salary of between $52,000 and $82,000 per year, well above the median wage in the United States.
- Most employment opportunities also come with benefits like paid time off for illness or vacation.
- Utility companies rarely fire their workers unless they have done some serious misconduct. Even though innocent workers can file an appeal, you should stand by your decision to fire them.
- Finally, there is no discrimination against women in the utility operator’s wage structure. Equal pay is provided to both male and female workers in equivalent positions.
Disadvantages
- Many positions in the public utility sector come with a rather high danger to security. For example, becoming a power lineman is not exactly the safest profession, even though workers in this field are required to wear protective gear and undergo extensive training.
- Many people’s perceptions of utility workers are negative because their jobs are not seen as particularly admirable.
- Environmental hazards- Because many occupations call for outdoor labour, workers must be prepared to endure various kinds of climates.
- The utility industry may be unforgiving when it comes to career progression, especially for entry-level personnel. Additionally, advancement opportunities in the utility sector often necessitate a four-year degree.
- Work in public utilities might be monotonous because of the strict rules and regulations you must adhere to. Therefore, if you have a passion for originality, the monotony of some duties may be a source of frustration.
Areas Or Categories Of Public Utility
There are several categories of Public Utility. They Include:
- Natural gas
- Electricity
- Water and sewage treatment
- Utility makers and Meter Readers
- Utility managers and many more.
1. Natural Gases
Homes and businesses use natural gas as an alternative energy source. The time it takes to extract natural gas from the ground and deliver it to consumers should be a factor to consider. To be more specific, as a public utility worker, your focus should be on the commodity’s delivery to customers via pipeline systems.
2. Electricity
Whether the energy comes from natural gas or water, you will be in charge of the transmission and distribution infrastructure that brings it to people’s homes. Jobs in this field range from electrical installation engineers to office administrators and customer care reps. You are well aware of the vital function that electricity plays in our daily lives. We rely on it to power our homes and connect to the internet.
3. Water And Sewage Treatment
The provision of water for all of society’s needs falls under the purview of this industry. Large cities have more intricate water, sewage, and wastewater utility systems than their outlying suburban and rural counterparts. Nonetheless, it’s a necessity for any civilization, which means it creates a lot of jobs.
4. Utility Markers / Meter Readers
If you prefer working independently and in the field, but like a challenge, both of these careers are excellent choices. To calculate a building’s utility consumption, metre readers visit buildings of various types and read the metres there. Markers will be placed throughout the area to indicate the locations of subterranean utilities before any building is started.
5. Utility Managers
Taking a proactive stance as a utility manager in the years to come is a terrific way to boost your job prospects. Public utilities, such as power plants, are overseen by utility managers, who are responsible for managing workers, developing budgets, and ensuring the facilities are in good working order. Most large utility businesses need qualified utility managers, so this is an excellent career option to consider if you have strong management abilities.
High-Paying Jobs In the Public Utilities Sector
Below are some jobs in the public utility sector you can consider:
- Professional and related occupations
- Computer specialists
- Nuclear engineers
- Electrical and electronic engineering technicians and others
Prerequisites For Working In The Public Utilities Sector
- For engineers, the entry-level requirement is a bachelor’s degree.
- Some other professional profiles require a master’s degree.
- In addition, prospective managers of utility should have experience in a field connected to a public utility.
Most Sought For Government Jobs In The Public Utility Sector
● Postal Worker
Postal employees help customers with questions about the mail, collect postage, register and certified mail, and insure mail. They might also be asked to sort mail. Whether in a rural area, town or city, you can count on mail delivery from the United States Postal Service.
● Air Traffic Controller
A person who works as an air traffic controller is responsible for regulating the flow of air and ground traffic at airports through the use of electronic devices such as radar and computers, as well as visual indications. To protect the safety of the skies, air traffic controllers must frequently monitor multiple planes at once and make split-second decisions.
● Police Officers
These are employees responsible for maintaining public safety, enforcing legal norms, and conducting in-depth investigations into criminal activity.
Other Government Positions In Public Utility include:
- Attorneys
- Nurse
- Teachers
- Scientist
- Firefighters
- Law Enforcement bodies and others
Conclusion
Is Public Utility A Good Career Path? It’s not a simple yes/no scenario. There are benefits and drawbacks. There is a wide variety of utility operator professions, each requiring a unique set of abilities and knowledge.
You can’t know if working in this business will give you the fulfilment you’re seeking until you examine the good and bad.
The public utility sector employs the most people, which is not surprising given the wide range of uses for which such services are valued.
Public utilities not only employ a significant number of people, but they also usually give their employees a wide range of perks that are difficult to come by in the private sector. As the public sector is the largest employer of workers and the greatest provider of employee benefits, a career in public utilities may be a good option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Are Public Utility Important?
All members of a society and all of its institutions rely on the services provided by public utilities. The companies providing services in this market must ensure that their products can be obtained by customers when and where they need them.
How Do Utility Sectors Get Their Money?
This utility business model has been around for over a hundred years, and it’s based on the premise that utilities may turn a profit by investing in infrastructure such as pipes and wires that delivers energy services to customers.
What Is The World Oldest Utility Company?
BGE was the first and longest-running gas and electric utility in the world. It was established in 1816 as The Gas Light Company of Baltimore to bring electricity to the city of Baltimore; this was accomplished in 1890. The first incandescent bulbs were sold to BGE customers in 1880.
References
- https://openeducationonline.com/careers/is-public-utilities-a-good-career-path/
- https://fulleduinfo.com/public-utilities-career/
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- https://schoolandtravel.com/is-public-utilities-a-good-career-path/
- https://servantboy.com/is-public-utilities-a-good-career-path/#:~:text=For%20the%20avoidance%20of%20doubt,yes%2C%20the%20career%20is%20good.
- https://bluecollarbrain.com/is-public-utilities-a-good-career-path/
- https://ngjobalerts.com/is-public-utilities-a-good-career-path/
