<p>Hey all,
What is the deal with the 3 weeks on 3 weeks off petroleum engineering jobs. What companies run schedules like this? What specific jobs should I apply for. I am a sophomore chemical engineer at cornell right now and will have a bunch of good work experience before I graduate. I looked at schlumberger specifically and couldn't find out anything about their schedule. Can anyone speak to the truth of this schedule and tell me how I go about landing one of these jobs?</p>
<p>i’ve never worked in these jobs so I can’t give first hand experience. However I’m working as an environmental engineer in a international firm and we do have ppl from our office on 3 on and 3 off schedules in the oil sands. From what I heard, they are pretty tough. They work you REALLY hard for the 3 weeks on, like 12hr+ days for 3 weeks straight. On top of that you’re away from home and at a crappy camp in the middle of nowhere. </p>
<p>In another thread you wrote that you’re interested in a job with lots of vacation so you can do non engineering things, i feel the same way so I’d lean away from these types of jobs. </p>
<p>Anyways, this is just what I’ve heard, i’ve got no first hand experience.</p>
<p>well you have three weeks off right, as in not working, as in vacation time. That is what I am looking for.</p>
<p>These “rotater” jobs are common in the oil industry, but I’m not sure it’s something they do with new hires. Maybe - but most of the people I know doing this are more experienced. </p>
<p>The way this is done varies by job, company, and location. The timing varies from 1 week on/1 week off to 2/2 to 3/3 to 3/2 to 4/2 …there is no “set” schedule. More experienced folks can negotiate their terms.</p>
<p>But lowendnewbie is right that these are not easy assignments. Altho the pay might be good (especially if you are going to an overseas location), the hours (12+hours a day/7days a week) are tough, the living conditions can be great or abysmal, plus there is the travel time back and forth, and the jet lag if you are overseas. This sort of job is particularly rough on families.</p>
<p>12 hours a day is nothing for an engineer. If you think you will be working only 8 hour days as any type of engineer, you are in for a rude awakening. A professor once told me, “You will work 14hrs a day but it won’t seem like work to you because you will love it.”</p>
<p>It may be more difficult for you to get upstream than you’re anticipating.</p>
<p>
12 hours a day is a lot for anyone. I work 8 hour days except when I decide to work more so that I can take some time off in the future. Having worked 14 hours in one day a handful of times to really bank some comp time I can say that it really does seem like a long day and I anything but loved it. You’re really the one who will be in for a rude (although maybe sometimes pleasant) awakening.</p>
<p>As a professional - you work what you need to work to get the job done.<br>
Sometimes it’s 8 hours. Sometimes it’s 12.<br>
Sometimes it’s 8-5. Sometimes it’s the middle of the night.
Sometimes it’s M-F. Sometimes it’s Sat or Sun.</p>