<p>I am interested in going for Petroleum Engineering; I will be going to Penn State this fall and I am currently undecided. My second choice is Chemical Engineering and I personally find Petroleum Engineering curriculum and course more interesting however there are some things which make me confuse; people tell me that Petrol will be over within a few decades then I get worried whether I should go for this major or not? Then some people also say that even If petrol doesn't get over, The World might stop using it as a source of Energy and instead use alternatives to Natural Gas and Petroleum, all this makes me confuse, Should I go for this course? Will it provide me security and Job guarantee in life?</p>
<p>Petroleum engineers are paid well, but many of them have to work in places like offshore oil rigs, tar sands, arctic climates, desert climates, politically unstable countries, theocratic countries with highly restrictive religious rules, etc…</p>
<p>I’m a junior at penn state in chemical engineering, and ucbalumnus is right. Basically png majors are paid extremely well, but they work in desolate areas, work many hours a week (I know one who is working 80), and move around a lot. Chemical engineers aren’t paid quite as well (still great pay), but are able to work steady jobs in industry and are not relegated to working in the middle of nowhere. Chemical engineering curriculum is also more difficult, so be ready. I think the notion that petroleum engineers won’t have jobs in a couple decades is unsubstantiated, they will have jobs 'til we run out of oil, which is projected to be in about 100 years. I think you’ll be fine.</p>
<p>I’m a senior in petroleum engineering. I’m working my 2nd internship with a major, and I couldn’t be happier. It’s not totally true that you will work in a desolate area. The company I work for runs the majority of their business units out of Houston. It all depends on which discipline you go into (reservoir, production, drilling, etc.), and what company you work for; how much field time you will have to put in. Every company is different. Of course if you want to travel, the opportunities are there both domestically and internationally. The work schedule is often long, but only if you work for a small company where you are in charge of everything (not recommended for your first job). Besides, if you like your job you won’t notice the longer hours, and the money makes it worth it. Work for a major and get the free training, then decide what you want to do. The industry is cyclical by nature but I don’t personally see it falling again. I think this stretch will run to the end.</p>