Is Petroleum Engineering a Valuable Career?

Candidates with a background in petroleum engineering, industrial engineering, or computer engineering are the best choices for petroleum engineering positions. Their education and experience give them an advantage over candidates from other disciplines. In the petroleum engineering industry, the top paying sector is company management, with various specialist technical skills making up most of the top paying energy positions.

This article discusses the marketability of petroleum engineering graduates in the workplace in the present, and how this can be improved in the future.

Making a Difference in the World

Petroleum engineers are vital in today’s economy in that they make the drilling process safer for people, communities, wildlife, and the environment.

Petroleum Engineers look at more than just flammable substances, they contribute to the energy needed to heat our homes, prepare our meals, and power our vehicles. As the energy sector evolves, petroleum engineers are increasingly involved in sustainability efforts, including carbon capture and alternative fuels.

Highlights about working in the Oil and Gas Industry

1. High Earning Potential– petroleum engineers consistently rank among the highest-paid engineering professionals, with competitive salaries even at entry-level positions.
2. Global Opportunities– the oil and gas industry operates worldwide, giving professionals the chance to work on international projects.
3. Innovation & Technology– the industry leverages cutting-edge technologies such as AI, robotics, and advanced simulation, providing constant learning and innovation opportunities.
4. Diverse Career Paths– from drilling and production to environmental safety and energy transition, petroleum engineers can specialize in a wide range of roles.

Transferrable Skills of a Petroleum Engineer

Petroleum engineers may be better prepared than many realize, for such an industry provides professionals with multiple and transferable skills.

Engineering out of the petroleum industry can apply their set of work skills, out of their specialty, since most companies provide a wide range of training and flexibility.

In fields like geothermal energy, subterranean energy storage (including hydrogen), CCUS, offshore wind, essential minerals, and rare earth elements, many geoscience, and petroleum engineering abilities are transferrable.

The transferrable specific skills developed over the years working in the industry, open up many opportunities, enabling exploration and skills in new industries and job titles.

The transferrable job skills section is developed while performing a job or task, which can be applied to other situations in various jobs or industries (Ligman, 2009). An individual can transfer relevant skills acquired through employment, classes, internships, co-ops, research opportunities, study abroad experiences, campus and community activities, etc., to a new career path.

• Reservoir Characterization, 15.4%
• Engineering Support, 12.0%
• Business Development, 10.2%
• Petrel, 6.9%
• AFE, 5.1%
• Economic Analysis, 3.8%
• Technical Support, 3.2%
• Other Skills, 43.4%
• Numerical skills
• problem-solving
• Research
• Laboratory experience
• Data analysis
• Project management
• Teamwork
• Communication

Future of Petroleum Engineering Career

Looking to start your job search as a petroleum engineer but don’t know where to start? Our highly knowledgeable Energy & Commodities group works with talent across many sectors to find the right roles that fit your career goals. We work to polish your resume, prepare you for common interview questions, and put you in front of companies that are looking for your talent and expertise. Check out our currently open jobs to apply to, or submit your resume to be automatically considered for roles that match your skillset.