Can't decide between Petroleum or Mechanical

College Majors Engineering Majors
1

<p>Hi, I am currently in my first year in a prestigious university in Egypt. I can't decide between both majors because I really don't know the full details of the lifestyle of their jobs etc..</p>

<pre><code> My only incentive to choose mechanical is because it has a wide scope and you can get jobs from many companies.
</code></pre>

<p>As for petroleum, the idea of making so much money (if its true) on your first job is very motivating and the idea of traveling around the world is also seems cool.</p>

<pre><code>Now the things which I don't like, I honestly don't think I like mechanical and will feel I missed out on petroleum. I need a lot of info regarding petroleum jobs because what I read is most people would want to work in the upstream sector. My university has agreements with Schlumberger for internships etc.. and Schlumberger will most likely recruit engineers from our university ( American University in Cairo, Biggest uni in Egypt)

I have read a lot about schlumberger and how they overwork their employees and pay average salaries( don't know if this is true, I thought oil service companies pay big $$$) but with great benefits.

</code></pre>

<p>Is it true that you will have no social life and will overworked? I heard it depends on where you work or what your specializing in , drilling, refinery or the other thing.</p>

<p>Can someone please explain to me the average salary and the lifestyle for the three different sector (I think I would be in drilling since that makes the most money). Is it also true that to advance through the ranks I would have to become a drilling engineer and you will have to work offshore or in the deserts and wont have time to have a family? (how if you work 2 weeks on/28days on and get 2weeksoff/28 days off ?)</p>

<pre><code>I'm probably repeating my questions , but my main question is I want to know everything about the life of the petroleum engineer before I am stuck in something I don't like. ( I want to have a family etc.. and not work all my life, money wont be worth the loneliness )
</code></pre>

<p>EDIT: I have read many threads here but would appreciate if you can answer my questions (any personal stories would be appreciated) and if you know a forum for petroleum engineers where they can help me I would appreciate that also.</p>

<p>EDIT 2: What kind of jobs can I get in the petroleum industry if im a mechanical engineer? would I be able to work upstream(drilling etc..?) and are other sectors (other than drilling) make a lot of money too and you can live in your own city?( no need for offshore or going to desert)</p>

2

<p>Well, a lot definitely depends on place of work and the organization, but apparently, petroleum engineers are the highest earning engineers.</p>

<p>Petroleum engineering is the best pathway to the oil and gas industry, mechanical engineering may not guarantee and entry, a lot depends on demand and luck. and the pay isnt as much as petro engineering.</p>

<p>you can still have a family, dont worry, you normally work two weeks on and two weeks off.</p>

<p>your university having internship deals with real industry means good chances of entry, which can be hard sometimes.</p>