Career advice after a nine-month analyst role in energy consulting

[SereneRoseRobin]

Hi all,
I’m looking for some honest career advice.
I’m in my mid-20s and recently completed an MSc in Economics.

My background is in economics, data analysis, sustainable finance, energy/climate work and consulting. I’ve previously worked in financial services/restructuring, responsible investing, project finance/estimating and most recently in an energy/data-focused analyst role at a consultancy.
In my most recent role, I worked on things like energy market analysis, Python/data workflows, decarbonisation work, EV/grid-related projects, and internal automation. I also have experience with R, Python, Excel, Power BI, econometrics, ESG/climate analysis and stakeholder-facing work.
However, the role did not work out, and I’m now trying to work out my next move. I’m worried about how to explain a short stint it was 9 months-, whether I should stay in energy/climate analytics, pivot back toward finance/investment research, apply for general analyst roles, or aim for public sector/economics roles.

On paper, I think I have a strong profile: MSc Economics, consulting experience, data skills, sustainability/energy experience, internships in finance/investment, and volunteering/leadership experience. But I feel quite shaken and unsure how realistic different paths are now.
What would you do in my position?
Specifically:

1. Should I lean into energy/data/climate roles, or broaden out?
2. How much will a short role hurt me.... it lasted for 9 months
3. What kind of roles would be most realistic for someone with my background?
4. How should I explain leaving without sounding defensive?
5. Would recruiters see this as a decent profile, or am I overestimating myself?

I’d really appreciate blunt but constructive advice, especially from people in consulting, finance, energy, analytics, economics, policy or recruitment. Thanks.

That is because it usually requires 1) educational attainment 2) on the job training and 3) supervision but it is the norm that graduates work in consultancy in many sectors.

I don't understand, it seems like you are right at the start of your career. How are you a consultant? What special expertise can you give in these areas, where people who also have masters degrees have worked for 10+ years?

It sounds like you maybe over sold yourself to get your energy role and then they realised you actually did not have the skills or experience.

You need an entry level job where you can work your way up.

What sort of job do you want? what is important to you, money, type of work, location?

You sound like a young, fresh from Uni person who has bought into the Instagram 'boss babe in 3 years' culture and haven't realised that everyone has a degree and you need to work your way up from the bottom

my work history looks too short

You need the industry knowledge to make a success at data analytics or you just produce nonsense.
Consultants are fuckers for producing a pretty PowerBi, but it doesn't tell you anything.

You need to make time with people to support your knowledge... Be proactive, set up short meetings with people to give you context. Find people who love talking about their specialism.

And it takes time... You will not be an expert in a few months.

Many, many consultancy roles have graduates in them architects, civil engineers, quantity surveyors to name a few all start in consultancy roles as graduates.

@OP it is normal to start at the bottom and learn on the job.

Genuine question, out of interest.

That field could include stuff such as a small manufacturing company wants to reduce energy bills or have a net zero plan, all the way up to Governments formulating policy ?

Ah I see, in my area (healthcare) it would be seen as absolute madness having someone fresh out of Uni advising people who had been in roles for decades

That makes absolute sense.

they're not left completely unsupervised!!

I don't get it though, what are they being consulted on?

You can google most things now. You need to consult people with special expertise and experience to answer difficult problems. That's why you see an e.g. neuology consultant for a difficult neurology problem, you don't just bung a fresh out of med school F1 into a room and then go and consult them on neurology problems.

What am I missing here?

Look at grad schemes. They're used to people taking a couple of years out - travel usually.

You need to think about why these roles didn't work out and have a compelling story to tell. Something along the lines of "I've taken some time out since my degree to complete a master in an area of interest to me. During this time I've been fortunate to gain experience in sector x and sector y and I've developed my skills in <insert things that a relevant to the scheme you're applying for> and I am keen to utilise and further develop these in <inserts sector you are applying for>.

Early on in my career in was managed out after a clash with my manager after I (justifiably) critiqued the department her best friend led in a report. The only reference they would give me was confirming when I started and left. I did a career pivot and moved on. You can recover from this but you might need to move sideways and take a longer route.

You do need to reflect on your part in this though. You have an MSc, do you really need so much training? Did you independently take enough responsibility here? Leaders need people who will cover as much as they can themselves, we don't have time to handhold- although that's never an excuse to set people up to fail. If you did all you could then great, but you do need a moment of reflection here. This could be powerful for you

So what do i do now re my career?

You work in healthcare?

Can people use AI and Google to do your job?

That was like when Boris Johnson tried to convince everyone that technology and not 3 years of diplomatic engagement were going to solve the Northern Irish border issues.

Technology has its limits.

Find an entry level grad scheme and gain experience in an area you want to work in, would be my advice. Aim for something you feel you would do well at, and don't oversell yourself and end up in a job you will struggle in as you don't have the skills.

That was the poster’s point, though.

Contact your uni careers service for advice/ guidance.
make sure your LinkedIn shows what results you have achieved.

Apply for positions you think might interest you. Be willing to move away for a job. Open yourself to learning by yourself on the job if there is no training for you, that will involve networking with other staff members.

what career pivot and longer route do i need to take?

It definitely does. Most people can google symptoms of psychosis, for example. An entry-level doctor can have a good go at diagnosing it. A consultant psychiatrist will have years of experience in diagnosing it, managing it and separating out other things like encephalitis and malingering.

What I am saying is, I would expect the person consulting, i.e. giving advice to others, to be the person who has years of experience, training and seniority, not someone who finished Uni last year and learned a bit about it on their course

Grad schemes are a good idea. Energy is a good sector although I'm unclear as to why you failed you last employment because you didn't know enough about energy?

Have you made any contacts with your two positions who can advise or help you?

I'd try grad schemes or entry roles with the big energy or consultancy firms - National Grid, energy suppliers / DSOs/DNOs, EDF, Mott Macdonald etc.

BUT this time DO NOT LEAVE. Just accept that work is fucking grim and buckle down for at least five years.

I would have thought a degree in electrical engineering would be better suited.

Apply for literally anything and everything would be my advice. Job market is shit right now, so take anything you can get your hands on and try to work your way up. Don't overthink the long term, just get yourself a job and get your feet under the desk. Once you're in a company or role, you can discuss with a line manager or other colleagues about development opportunities, progression/promotion prospects etc.

Whatever your next job is, you should be aiming to get a couple of years there at the very least. At the moment your work history looks a bit patchy and I'd be concerned about that as a recruiter. You need to show that you have staying power.

What's your first degree in?

economics

i can try selling my 9 months stint as a contract rather than a failed probation?