<p>I am at the point right now that I have to choose between petroleum or mechanical.Once I choose one,there is NO turning back from this.I am at mechanical right now,but my parents are saying I should go to Petroleum for more money and better jobs.Is that true?Doesn't mechanical still cover all that and can't I get to the oil industry?</p>
<p>Need some good perspectives here from both sides.People who have been on the industry here would be a big help too.Let's just say I will change or stay based on the responses I get(ofc I still have to be comfortable with it!!)</p>
<p>They are right about petroleum engineering. Jobs in the field will be around for a long long time, and coming out of college, and in the long run, there is more money to be earned. Petroleum engineering also allows you to work all over the world and meet many different people.
But, do what you’re passionate about. You will not gain anything if you are stuck in a job you hate- even if you make a bunch of money</p>
<p>How much money does an average petroleum engineer actually make in his/her first few (let’s say five) years?</p>
<p>After Five solid years the salary is well over 100k in a year ~maybe 125k</p>
<p>My biggest grip is traveling.I like traveling a couple of times,but not like every week.How frequent do you travel as a starting petro engineer?In the near future I would like to settle down at one place(around Houston perhaps,or at TX).</p>
<p>And if I want to try to go to management,does petroleum help or mechanical?I know its a little vague on what I am asking,but really in the end I would like a managerial position at the firm I am working at.</p>
<p>I go to a community college and the other day in my class our teacher brought in an engineer from BP. (The teacher was a chemical engineer for roughly 5 years at Conoco, and BP offered him a great job and he worked at BP for 30 years-moved into management, etc.) And our refineries are about 15 miles away.</p>
<p>Anyway, you can do PetroE with a MechE degree. The engineer that talked to us told us if you land internships at BP, Chevron, etc and you are in PetroE, MechE, or ChemE programs, you can intern as a reservoir engineer, drilling, etc. The same stuff a PetroE does. He said it really doesn’t matter which degree, although they prefer PetroE for the drilling, but instead, what really matters is oil related experience, which is obtained through Co-ops and internships for students.</p>
<p>Also, yes you would be able to move into management with any degree really. Its experience and doing the job well that puts you in charge, not necessarily the degree.</p>
<p>My two cents; do MechE, get internships at BP/Chevron/Shell, other oil companies, to see if you like working in that type of position. Specifically apply to the reservoir or drilling to get a feel for PetroE.</p>
<p>And if you don’t like the oil industry, well a MechE will help you get other jobs(automotive, aero, etc) vs a PetroE, PetroE is more specialized.</p>
<p>I am Mechanical Engineer and have 7 yrs exp in Power Plant Design. I recently came in US, can any experts help what are future scope for Power Plant jobs in US…? how they earn here…? sometimes, I feel there may be less scope so thinking about changing field either in oil and gas sector or in product design, development…!! – Help plz</p>
<p>I’ve got a degree in MechE and I got a job working in the oil industry. I’d say if you get a degree in PetE you’ll be pretty narrowed down as far as finding a job. If all of a sudden oil companies stop hiring where would you be able to find a job? As an ME you’ll get the same job as a PetE would get just you have options other than the oil industry. Just look at some job postings, MOST say Requirements: BS Engineering or equivalent. They’ll train you for whatever job they give you.</p>
<p>I was just hired as a drilling supervisor straight out of university. As an ME I’ve literally taken 0 courses dealing with drilling or supervising. However, I’ve had internships with leadership experience. THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS YOUR INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE, NOT YOU DEGREE OR GPA (Your GPA will need to be well above the cut off though). I’d say at least 3.4+. But don’t be stressing out about your GPA as much as learning to communicate. Much more important. I have friends with very high GPAs, 3.9+, and none of them got a job like mine. They are awkward and don’t communicate well.</p>
<p>Also the job I got doesn’t require a degree. If you don’t have a degree and work your way up, it takes ~15 years. An engineering degree just puts you ahead starting out. But any engineering degree would get you this position if they felt you were a good fit. </p>
<p>I’m basically saying the same thing as SlicK21 just worded differently.</p>
<p>What’s the salary difference if you work in the oil field with a mechanical engineering degree vs a petro degree? I’ve wanted to do Petroleum but like you said, mechanical will still keep options open. </p>
<p>I don’t think there is a salary difference. The same position will pay the same amount regardless of the degree.</p>
<p>Right now the oil industry is in a state of flux. With oil prices being so “'low”, the industry is being cautions. Entry level positions could be less abundant for the next year or so. If I were choosing I would go with mechanical. You will make the same amount of money if you go into oil and gas, and you give yourself more options. </p>