In truth, there is nothing better than just working at a large energy utility. Schools can only teach you so much. There are practicalities and experience that simply transcend schooling. For example, few schools know what running a sustained 24/7 operation is like, what the politics of running an operation like this are, or how decisions really get made.
My background is from working at a water utility. Our environment is similar. A PhD doesn't get much notice around here. We're looking for people who aren't afraid to get dirty, who are willing to respond in the very worst of weather, on holidays, on weekends and so on. We need people who can think about the big picture, not just the technical details.
If you're interested, find a utility and start building a career. If, on the other hand, you're interested in a Post Graduate Degree, then get one --but don't think for one minute that you really understand the business of energy utilities.
There is simply no way we can teach this stuff in a classroom.