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How does one know if they should be a petroleum engineer?

I am a rising senior trying to decide what engineering discipline I should explore. #petroleumengineering #college #career

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Sherif’s Answer

First thing to do, is to listen to your heart and answer the following question: "Do I love science, calculus and maths?". Any engineering major speaks the language of science and maths, and you should have deep interest in these subjects. You do NOT have to be a "straight-A" or "Book worm", in fact so many engineering students are way below average and guess why the world needs PLENTY and PLENTY of more engineers in all fields.

The Second thing is to inform yourself about petroleum engineering. Go to a college website that offers the program and see their list of undergraduate courses. Do NOT get overwhelmed by the jargon terms like "Fluid dynamics" or something along those lines. In general, petroleum engineers do calculations, develop computer models to operate and maintain the process of extracting natural resources from the ground in the most efficient, economical and safest ways possible.

Word of Advice: Do NOT decide to go to petroluem engineering just because your parents, or the TV or whatever tells you that you will become rich and it is a good paying job. While only succesful engineers get paid well, it does NOT justify the years of hard work that follow this major choice. These engineers love their work and produce high-quality results and that's why they get paid well.Additionally, you should know that ANY career has its ups and downs in time.

I am a Chemical Engineer, which means that i apply science in numbers to operate a process in an economic, environmentally friendly and safest way. I am the "Doctor" and designer of chemical processes. In my relatively short career span, I witnessed many petroleum and fellow chemical engineers forced to leave their jobs after the oil price crisis in 2014. Check this out: https://www.rigzone.com/news/oil_gas/a/148548/more_than_440000_global_oil_gas_jobs_lost_during_downturn/

https://money.cnn.com/2016/08/04/investing/200000-oil-jobs-lost/index.html

Bottom line, Only do the stuff that 1.) You are good at. 2.) Excited and care about 3.)Believe that its worth your time. Only then, Money runs after you.
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Dave’s Answer

I think what Sherif said is very good advice. I will add a little bit about my experience that is relevant. I took a degree in Geology in 1981. I majored in Geology because I enjoyed Earth Sciences in general, and especially rocks and fossils. When I finished and was looking for jobs, there weren't a lot out there that I could find, but that was back in the days of "print and mail resumes with cover letters" and wait for some kind of response. Today, you have much better options to find and pursue jobs that you are interested in.

Anyway, it seemed that most jobs for Geologists were in the Petroleum industry so I focused on that. Unfortunately, the industry was in a slump at the time. I found a lower-level position for a while (wellsite mud logger) but became interested in computers and decided to pursue that on my own. I have been in IT now for over 30 years and it has been very good to me, and I have enjoyed the work.

So to add another thought to this, I would recommend that you diversify a bit also. If your degree depends upon a single industry to provide an income, you may find yourself without an income, at least for a while. If you can find another way to apply what you love the most in another industry, try to develop skills and knowledge in that area also. For example, Civil Engineering might have a lot in common with Petroleum Engineering, and be another avenue for a paying job. Good luck!
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