<p>I'm fishing for any guidance/advice from Eng'rs with experience in Oil and Gas, specifically, E&P.</p>
<p>My situation:<br>
I'm 31 yrs old and in the midst of my mid-mid life crisis as I transition from an 8 yr career in the Navy as a Logistics Officer. I have targeted Oil and Gas, specifically, E&P operations. I am not qualified by pedigree or experience for E&P but I think it is the best match of passion and profession so I'm going all in. Also, I'm largely ignorant of all things Oil and Gas. And I wonder why I can't get hired? My intro to Energy came while I ran a large fuel depot and airfield fueling operation at an overseas airbase. For my last gig, I was the combat service support commander for a Navy SEAL squadron, so I'm no stranger to global placement. I have been speaking with people from industry and I'm confidant that I must pursue further education if I want a career in Oil and Gas.</p>
<p>My Dilemma:
I have a BA in Finance from a liberal arts school. Though my experience is varied and international, it is primarily general & project management and logistics oriented. Though I've spoken with many people, I have not had much luck in getting a strong argument for a course of action. I'm looking for some solid advice and strong opinions about going forward. Most conversations center around 2 options:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Pursue an undergrad or post-baccalaureate Pet Eng degree. It's starting over but better late than never.<br>
Pro: qualified for E&P; networking/internship opportunities; placement
Con: min 3 yrs out of the workforce; older, non-traditional employee; expensive</p></li>
<li><p>Pursue graduate degree - MBA w/Energy Specialization; MFIN-Energy; MMgmt-Energy; MS&E-Energy. I will probably have to give up the dream of E&P and seek placement with a Major somewhere downstream: marketing, management, logistics, trading.
Pro: fastest on-ramp; high chance of placement at a major
Con: lack the solid foundation of formal education in an engineering discipline; very expensive; bit of a gamble.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Some other questions: recommended schools/programs? I'm looking at schools in CA, CO, LA, TX. Am I too old to start over in this field? Is there a better option? Can you get me the job of my dreams?</p>
<p>I greatly appreciate any and all advice/opinions. I'm sure I've missed a great deal, please feel free to add to the discussion. As always, brutal critique is welcome. </p>
<p>Have you looked into Shell? They have a specific veteran program.</p>
<p>I’m currently doing an undergrad in PetE so I can’t speak for the industry, but everything I’ve heard says it is tough to break into if you don’t have specific experience.</p>
<p>Colorado School of Mines has a Mineral and Energy Economics post grad degree… and even one the specializes in Petroleum, might be an option for you.</p>
<p>A traditional undergrad in PetE wouldn’t suit you considering that you majored in Finance and would have to take nearly the entire curriculum. Have you considered working doing Process Technology? They don’t make as much as Pet Engineers but I think the program is only two years and the pay is around 60k.</p>
<p>The graduate option seems like the best choice.</p>
<p>Nole, thanks for the thoughts. I’ve looked into Shell’s CTO w/Vets. No bites. I’d still be put into a role befitting my background. I’ve been looking at the programs from Stanford, CSM, UT-A, Tex A&M, UH, and LSU. Definitely echo your comments on the breaking in bit … too true.</p>
<p>Chat, thx for the input. Definitely agree that I’m looking at a new undergrad degree with the PetE track. 3.5 yrs vs 2 years for Masters. If I’m going to start over, I’ll do it right and go back for PetE. 60K as a process eng is a ~40K paycut as is.</p>
<p>Masters is def faster and may be more practical but that may be short term. I figure I’ll be working till I’m 70 like the rest of my generation so I’m not really giving much back. </p>
<p>Any recommendations on programs for PetE? I’m looking hard at UT-Austin and LSU.</p>
<p>I think UT and A&M are the best two… then you have 4-5 schools right below them-</p>
<p>TTech, OU, School of Mines, LSU</p>
<p>There are 5-6 more schools one could argue to be right below UT/A&M… but that is about where I’d rank them IMO.</p>
<p>I’m a veteran and I attend Mines… the lady that does the GI Bill certification is great. If you separated within a year, they will give you instate tuition. That being said, if you are starting over, there is almost no way to get done with less than 4 years(at Mines)… all of the PetE classes are only offered once a year.</p>
<p>Interesting post. Looks like we’re in a similar position. </p>
<p>As far as Texas A&M and UT Austin: (as of 2010)
Texas A&M only admits 4 post-baccalaureate students
UT only admits 10 transfer students (the ten with the highest GPA)</p>
<p>Additionally, you can apply to UT Austin’s Petroleum Engineering Masters program which doesn’t require an undergraduate engineering degree. But you have to take background courses: [Petroleum</a> Engineering: Required Background Courses for MS or PhD Students at UT](<a href=“Petroleum & Geosystems Engineering Department”>Petroleum & Geosystems Engineering Department)
The masters program with the background courses will probably take the same amount of time to complete as a B.S. in petroleum engineering. UT is the only school that I know of that will let you apply for the masters program without an undergrad engineering or science degree.</p>
<p>redsieria, I am curious about your comment that “Texas A&M only admits 4 post-baccalaureate students”. Can you explain what you mean? Are you saying that TAMU will only accept 4 as undergrads into PetE? Thank you.</p>
<p>Texas A&M’s priority in admissions is for those students that don’t have a bachelors degree. If you already have one then getting in is going to be harder.</p>
<p>“Postbaccalaureate Undergraduate Criteria” in the Admissions section of the TAMU Catalog (see catalogs.tamu.edu, and the official .pdf of Catalog 133, page 73), “Priority is given to qualified applicants for their initial degree; therefore, postbaccalaureate undergraduate admission may be limited, or may not be available.”</p>
<p>a. For fall 2010, freshman applicants admitted were 218, with projected matriculation of 136 freshmen</p>
<p>b. For fall 2010, transfer applicants admitted were 15, with projected matriculation of 12 transfer</p>
<p>c. For fall 2010, postbaccalaureate applicants admitted were 4, with 3 matriculating. The majority of postbaccalaureate applicants admitted over the last several years were honors graduates in their previous degree (cum laude or higher). All had completed the pre-application course work expected of transfer applicants for the initial degree.</p>
<p>d. No readmission applicants were approved for fall 2010. This category includes any applicant who previously attended TAMU. These applicants are considered in accordance with university/college/departmental policies.</p>
<p>e. For fall 2010, change of curriculum applicants approved were 27, with estimated 25 who will change majors (deadline for acceptance is pending). This category includes all applicants applying from other majors at TAMU. All change of curriculum applicants approved had completed at least the course work expected of transfer students (see Transfer Admissions section of the TAMU Catalog, Degree Track Table 1, Column D, and had at least 3.0 GPR on TAMU course work, and/or on significant engineering related course work beyond the course work expected of transfer students.</p>
<p>gstein, look up “smarmy” while you’re at it. I know what post-baccalaureate means. Guess I learned it while earning my post-baccalaureate doctorate. My question to redsieria was whether he/she was saying that A&M only accepts 4 post-baccalaureate students “as undergrads” into PetE. Thank you, redseiria, for your answer which clearly states "Postbaccalaureate Undergraduate Criteria”. That answers my question.</p>
<p>Thanks for the info. I’m gathering info and talking to the undergraduate adviser from the CSE’s PetEng dept.</p>
<p>Basically, you’re spot on with the summary. They admit 10 Fall and 10 Spring transfer students at UT. GPA seems to be the most important criteria - 3.5 was the basis for last years submissions - they offered 16 slots w/ 12 accepting. They would not tell me out of how many.</p>
<p>I’ve got a few more options - transfer in a a non-degree seeking student and start hammering out the basic sequence and as many pre-reqs as possible. From there, I can hopefully transfer into CSE or request for the MS in PetE.</p>
<p>I’ve got the GI bill but I’m going to try to use Austin Community or other cheaper schools or the basic sequence courses.</p>