<p>I recently graduated (this May) from a good college with an economics major with a minor in earth and planetary science. Part of my decision to go with economics as my major was the university I was at, having changed my major from earth science. I am regretting this somewhat, not that economics is a bad major, and am slated to go to LSU for petroleum engineering where they have a program where after a PetE BS, you can finish with a shorter than average MS curriculum.</p>
<p>I have heard from people in recruiting that this is a bad idea, especially because recruiters may see the first college I went to and wonder why on earth I would continue at a state university, regardless of the fact that my first degree is a BA, not a BS/MS (it's not as if I could go into a masters of engineering program with my current degree). I would be an international student, significantly older than other recent graduates with a master's degree, and female when I enter the market for petroleum engineers four/five years from now.</p>
<p>Am I making a terrible decision? I really want to pursue the PetE. Before I started at the college I just graduated from, I had been looking at UT/Stanford/A&M to do PetE but was swayed by the name and financial aid package of where I finally ended up going.</p>
<p>If there is anyone in the oil & gas business or know anyone in O&G, please help!</p>
<p>(general advice)</p>
<p>You may have some “buyer’s remorse” here. Looking at other majors, you felt yours is not good enough. But the truth is there are tons of students studying Econ, I am sure they are not heading into a situation worse than a lot other majors. So look positively about the degree you got, true it’s not CS or engineering, but it’s a lot better than most out there.</p>
<p>Many students study their majors because they like/love them. If you end up changing your study to PetE, you can always tell a potential employer that you love PetE that much that you want to use your knowledge about Econ and do more as PetE.</p>
<p>This also brings the same question you had 4 years ago: how to pay for this BS? You got into Econ/Earth Science in the first place because the school gave you financial support. Of course, things have changed.</p>
<p>In my opinion, you should stick with Econ and try to find a job you like. If you dont find anything you like or cant enjoy your life without being a PetE, then study PetE at LSU. After that, if you are to get MS, you might want to consider better known graduate schools to preserve research/teaching option in the future. Your math and science, plus being a female may stand out in engineering. Universities are not too concerned with age.</p>
<p>You probably knew all the above things, but wanted to hear from someone else.</p>
<p>Economics is a great major but once you start working in the Finance industry, you may realize that school was lot more interesting than some of these stupid Financial jobs. </p>
<p>I have a B.S in Econ and I went back for a 2nd degree in Industrial Engineering at age 35 </p>
<p>Honestly, I love Econ as much as I love Engineering and I do not see having 2 degrees as a negative. In my situation, Econ and IE overlap more than I had imagined and so far, I have no regrets about my decision!</p>