Hello everyone, My name is Clay and I go to high school in Iowa. I am a freshman so lately I have been thinking about my career lately. I would love to have a job in engineering. Petroleum engineering sounds like the best for me and is the most interesting. But I have some issues with finding colleges around here that offer that as a major. So now I have a few questions.
- Will Petroleum Engineering keep growing and offering jobs as it has been within the next 5-15 years? (I realize this may be hard to answer dealing with oil) What engineering jobs will keep growing above average whilst making money?
- If not, what major will make the same or near the same amount of money? This is NOT all I'm in it for?
- If I get my degree in let's say Illinois or Missouri will I have the same chances of getting an internship or a job as someone in Texas would.?
- I am very willing to travel wherever oil is so will that help me out?
Thanks Everyone, Clay
What attracts you to petroleum engineering more than other disciplines? The oil industry is going through a sever slump right now and oil companies are laying off people left and right. As long as the Saudis keep pumping oil at rock bottom prices, there will be no recovery in the oil industry here. Who knows, in 8 years when you graduate from college, things might be different. But keep in mind the oil industry is highly cyclical with boom and bust cycles. If you want job security, look at other areas.
I like the idea of traveling and the idea of working with other people around the world that have the same interests as me. I also I would like challenges of working on a rig figuring out safer more productive ways to get hydrocarbons. But engineering overall is very fascinating to me. What other areas do you recommend? Could I major in two pretty easy or major in one that allows me to become a PetE later on when that boom hits again?
I like the idea of traveling and the idea of working with other people around the world that have the same interests as me. I also I would like challenges of working on a rig figuring out safer more productive ways to get hydrocarbons. But engineering overall is very fascinating to me. What other areas do you recommend? Could I major in two pretty easy or major in one that allows me to become a PetE later on when that boom hits again?
How would you know what you will like when you graduate from college. Don’t make a decision right now. There’s a lot about the working world you don’t know right now. Things you like now you may or may not like in 8 years. I’m not a Petroleum Engineer so I can’t comment on what the companies are looking for.
Thanks for your opinion. I know I have to keep my options open pretty well and always think about different careers so that I will find one I love. I just was hoping on getting more information on the engineering side of things. Thanks!