Petroleum Engineering and Corrosion Engineering(subfield of Materials engineering)

<p>Hello Everybody,
I have been reading a lot of intelligent posts and finally decided to create an account an post mine :).
i'm interested in petroleum engineering, but want to minor, or get a masters in corrosion engineering (pipeline corrosion). The reason why i'm planning to do this is because the Oil/gas sector might fall at anytime within the next 30 yrs (assumption), and Petroleum engineers might be out of job. Since Corrosion engineers can work everywhere, i would be able to use my degree to continue work as a corrosion engineer.
Do you guys think this is a good idea, or should focus on just one of them? If so, which one do u think is better? and why. and also do you think its more advisable to minor in corrosion engineering, or get a Masters?
I will appreciate your response, especially those in the Petroleum and Corrosion Engineering Field.
Thanks in advance!!!</p>

<p>Corrosion examination within Materials Engineering would seem to be a broad field, but I wouldn’t enter that field on the presumption that Oil & Gas expertise is going to fade away soon. Sure, we need alternative technologies regarding energy, but petroleum will continue to be a critical sources of energy for industry and consumers for decades to come. For example, perhaps petroleum will continue to heat power aircraft engines and other large machines, while our cars and homes might run on batteries, solar, biofuels etc… We will need petroleum technology for a long time.,</p>

<p>Thanks, I really appreciate your reply. Do you think its possible to work in the oil field at a time with both degrees?
I will also appreciate answers from other people as well.
Once again, thanks a lot! :)</p>

<p>Meant to say “…will continue to POWER aircraft engines…”</p>

<p>I think the issue here is that there really isn’t much overlap between the two disciplines. Corrosion in drillpipe/casing is a big deal, but the petroleum engineer will work with a corrosion engineering to determine the best solution.</p>

<p>So, if you minored in corrosion engineering but worked as a petroleum engineer for 10 years and lost your job, a minor in corrosion engineering that you got 10 years ago will be worthless. And even if you got your masters, that would be better, but you still wouldn’t have been working in corrosion for 10 years. You might find a job, but it won’t be a very good job.</p>

<p>@noleguy33
Thanks alot, but do u think it will be possible to work part time with the corrosion engineering degree, while working full time with the PET engr? If not, in your opinion, which degree is a better option and why?
I will also appreciate response from others. Thanks a lot guys, ireally love this site!!!:)</p>

<p>How many hours a week are you wanting to work?</p>

<p>I’m not real sure what type of part-time engineering work you are going to find anyway. I’m sure you could find some consulting work but I have no idea who would hire you with zero experience.</p>

<p>Corrosion is a big deal, every year it costs the world economy billions of dollars, and you will never worry about being unemployed. I took a class on that, a very beautiful field. I’d prefer Corrosion to Petroleum since there’re more things to do with Chemistry, Physics, Materials Science and Engineering. If you’re considering going to grad school (which I always recommend), should consider going to Michigan and work with Gary Was (experimental), or Digby Macdonald at Berkeley/Penn State (theoretical).</p>