<p>Alrighty guys, first time posting.. So i was wondering from your experience, opinions or rumors which school is better suitable for PEte (trying to choose a school). For example, UAF has its own connections to allow its graduate to transition easier into Alaska's oil rigs. However I do not know much about the extent of Colorado's connections for internship or job placements? Thanks a lot guys!</p>
<p>I can’t speak for UAF, but Mines has a high job placement ~95%. But it is getting a bit more cutthroat. Mines is also short ~3-4 Faculty including a Department Head, which may or may not concern you. But overall, Mines is a great program and just about every major oil company recruits there.</p>
<p>Really? Ahh i cant seem to choose between either one. But what do you mean a “bit more cutthroat”, as in harder to get in or harder to get more opportunities? @noleguy33 Thanks a lot</p>
<p>Yes, it is getting harder to get the premier jobs (top mid-level companies and majors). I think 4-5 years ago, there were 100 graduating petroleum engineers, the class of 2016 has over 200.</p>
<p>Oh wow i never knew :3 thanks a lot! So im kind of leaning towards Alaska due to less competition? do you think thats a great idea? Thanks again @noleguy33</p>
<p>I can’t speak for Alaska, but I would imagine getting a top internship is getting more competitive regardless of your school.</p>
<p>Doesnt matter if you go to alaska or not, companies have a certain amount of students they can get from each university, they probably take more students from the big name schools and send them to alaska or other places.</p>
<p>Ok thanks a lot guys. im definitely leaning towards Colorado’s. :D</p>
<p>Are you an Alaska resident? If so, UAF is probably much more affordable. Mines can be expensive for non-residents. </p>
<p>I’m a UAF grad. I don’t know about Petroleum Engineering in particular, but if you do want to work in Alaska, employers there generally prefer locals who understand what it’s like to live in Alaska. There are lots of problems with people who move from the Lower 48 to Alaska to take jobs, but quit within a year or two because they can’t handle it. </p>
<p>Going to UAF is a heck of an experience. I loved it.</p>
<p>Haha well no i live in florida, but im sure i’ll get used to the climate in Alaska somehow @colorado_mom, i know this sounds weird but im not trying to focus on finances as much because i rather have a better opportunity. @simba9 dudee lol now im contemplating UAF again, im so confused because i keep on hearing that Mines might have more recruiting opportunities than Alaska since less recruiters are willing to travel up there. However I feel like alaska wont be as much stiff competition</p>
<p>At our (Mines) career fairs, it always seems to me (as a compsci major) that a majority of the companies present only want to talk to petroleum students, even though that department is smaller than most of the other departments. Every senior I have talked to thus far already has job offers or a job lined up for when they graduate. Most of them are six figure jobs as well. </p>
<p>Interesting, Thank you.</p>
<p>"@colorado_mom, i know this sounds weird but im not trying to focus on finances as much because i rather have a better opportunity" - That’s fine if you can pay your own way and not rack up too much debt. But if your parents are paying and/or you’ll need loans… factor in cost too. </p>
<p>We just did the Mines admitted student visit day. More than once we heard about PeEng students getting internships after their freshmen years. One kid made $42/hour. Another student made around $20k each summer. It’s the highest paying major on campus and many students have careers lined up during their junior year (for many majors).</p>
<p>Mines just ranked #1 in highest return on investment of any public college (again). For a petroleum engineer, it’d even be way, way better than the “average” CSM grad.</p>
<p>42/hour for a petroleum engineering internship is on the high side, I’d say an average would be closer to $35, not to include a signing bonus. I think getting an internship after your freshman year is pretty rare, I would think that is less than 5% of the class. I’ve also never heard of any full-time offers to juniors, not saying it doesn’t exist but I’ve never heard of one. Now, a good chunk of Seniors show up for their senior year with an offer in hand.</p>
<p>Mines is a fantastic school but keep in mind the ROI rankings are always a bit skewed in CSM’s direction because we don’t offer any “non-technical” degrees.</p>
<p>But yes, for a petroleum engineer it is WAY better than average. If you are going to an operator (usually the top students), I’d say the average starting salary is pretty close to 100k, with 10-20k signing bonus and 20-40k in stock. I know of one offer that was 115k.</p>
<p>(source, graduating this year as a petroleum engineer)</p>
<p>Cool cool, but i got into Wake forest so Im pretty conflicted on what to major in now. I wonder what kind of business jobs you can do in the oil industry…</p>