8 Reasons To Become A Petroleum Engineer (With Tips)

Working as a petroleum engineer may be an appealing career opportunity if your skills and interests align with the role. Petroleum engineers work toward several goals for natural resource extraction systems, including improving production, increasing safety and minimizing environmental impact. Learning the reasons that influenced many petroleum engineers to choose the field can help you decide if you’re interested in it as a career. In this article, we discuss what a petroleum engineer is and does, reasons to become a petroleum engineer and tips for finding work once you do.

What is a petroleum engineer?

Petroleum engineers are engineering professionals who specialize in extracting natural resources for use in petroleum products. Common responsibilities include:

• Designing extraction systems for oil, natural gas and other deposits

• Developing new methods of injection technology to improve the quality of oil and natural gas harvesting

• Overseeing the installation and use of extraction machinery safely and under all regulations

• Assessing production levels on an extraction project to monitor performance levels

• Suggesting improvements on extraction operations to raise production, improve safety or make other positive changes

8 reasons to become a petroleum engineer

If you’re considering a career as a petroleum engineer these benefits may make it an appealing opportunity:

1. Job Outlook

The petroleum industry remains an important sector of the national and global economy and experts project it to continue to be so. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 8% growth from 2020 to 2030. This can provide job security for aspiring petroleum engineers as it shows a strong industry that projects to have many opportunities for new employees in the future.

2. Decreased competition

While the petroleum industry continues to need new employees, it isn’t a common major at universities. A below-average number of schools offer the program, and programs often include a below-average number of enrolled students. This means that if you earn your degree as a petroleum engineer, you’re likely to face less competition than in some other fields.

3. Improving petroleum safety

Working as a petroleum engineer allows you to take part in the design and implementation of new extraction machines and techniques. This provides the opportunity to increase the safety of the industry. For environmentally-conscious engineers, the ability to work to reduce the risk of incidents, such as spills, may be appealing.

4. Powering the world

The petroleum industry remains an integral part of global power. As a petroleum engineer, you contribute to the gathering of resources that allow businesses and services around the world to operate. Understanding the important role that petroleum plays in the lives of people around the world can make it a fulfilling career opportunity.

5. Contributing to essential products

The power industry is just one sector where petroleum is a key component. Other products that rely on the raw materials petroleum engineers help cultivate include items made from plastic, rubber and nylon, detergents and cleaning products, paint, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. By pursuing a career as a petroleum engineer, you can help provide these important products to people around the world.

6. High earning potential

Working as a petroleum engineer can be an appealing career opportunity for individuals who prioritize lucrative career opportunities. Petroleum engineers earn high salaries, with Indeed calculating an average salary of $87,197 per year. The industry also provides room for significant increases above the average salary for individuals who attain higher positions with large petroleum companies.

7. Travel opportunities

Work as a petroleum engineer may call for professional trips, either frequently or occasionally, depending on the role. Petroleum engineers may visit the locations where drilling or other resource-gathering operations take place. If you value traveling, a position with frequent work trips may allow you to visit areas with sightseeing and other entertainment options available during non-working hours.

8. It’s an evolving field

The petroleum industry can prioritize innovation. Developing new techniques can make a company more productive and profitable, generating a significant competitive edge. Petroleum companies are also working on new methods of performing their tasks in safer and more environmentally conscious methods. This constantly changing state can be appealing to professionals who value taking on new challenges throughout their careers.

4 tips for finding work as a petroleum engineer

These tips may help you find professional success as a petroleum engineer:

1. Apply for an internship

When getting started in the petroleum engineering industry, a lack of experience can be one of the largest challenges facing recent college graduates. Seeking an internship during your studies can help to ease this concern. An internship provides you with practical experience working in the petroleum industry. In addition to this potentially benefiting your resume and offering work opportunities through the professionals you meet, it also prepares you to perform well once hired by allowing you to learn from established petroleum engineering professionals.

2. Earn an advanced degree

Although a bachelor’s degree is a common requirement for entry-level opportunities, an advanced degree may be beneficial. Earning a master’s degree in petroleum engineering may help to set you apart from otherwise comparable applicants to entry-level- and mid-level positions. For some mid- and senior-level positions, employers may expect a minimum of a master’s degree from applicants.

3. Know your licensing

When working as a petroleum engineer, it’s important to understand licensing requirements within the state you operate in. Many states require a license for a petroleum engineer to accept a position and the requirements can vary from state to state. Researching licensing requirements in the state you intend to work in while you’re still earning your degree can allow you to prepare for your professional opportunities in advance by ensuring you meet the necessary licensing requirements when you’re ready to begin work.

4. Get a petroleum engineer certification

Earning a certification from a well-respected industry group is another way to gain credibility in petroleum engineering. The Society of Petroleum Engineers offers a certification program which shows to potential employers that you have met their standards, which may improve the way they consider you for an open position. In order to earn certification, you must have four years of professional training and an undergraduate degree in petroleum engineering or a related field. The exam features 70 multiple-choice questions over seven hours, with successful completion earning an SPE Petroleum Engineer Certification.

I hope you find this article helpful.