Would You Recommend a Career in the Petroleum Industry?

DeAnn Craig, Chairperson, SPE Energy Information Committee

Editor’s note: This is one in a series of articles by members of SPE’s Energy Information Committee. Send comments about this article to energyed@spe.org.

As promised, here are a few of the comments received from my February column asking SPE members if they would recommend a career in the petroleum industry to a young relative. The comments covered three general categories: residual effects from the last industry downturn, work for nonpetroleum engineers in the industry, and job hardships. Readers, how would you respond, especially to the comments listed under residual effects? Children learn from observing their parents. This is a difficult issue.

Residual Effects From the Downturn

From an SPE member with a high-school-age daughter who is considering something technical but not within the oil industry: “I believe that she sees the good side of such employment, but also the bad … lots of bad press out there and then her experience with my layoff.”

From an SPE member who quoted a discussion he had with his son in 1999 (his son is now a pharmacist): “Dad, this industry is not stable … every time the oil price goes up, they hire, and every time the price drops, they fire! …We have watched you going through the emotional roller coaster of many downsizings. … I want to choose an industry/profession that is more stable in the long run.”

From another member: “I would not recommend a career as a petroleum engineer to anyone, even though I loved the work. … One million people lost their jobs in the US during the bust. … Petroleum engineering is not something that is well known or accepted in other engineering professions. … Once a more stable working environment is created, then maybe there will be more interest.”

From a member who has two daughters who enjoy math, science, and environmental studies: “I tell them that there are reasons to go into the oil industry, which basically come down to it is a fun place to work…. However, I fall short of encouraging them to go into the industry because of its long history of laying off large numbers of people at every downturn.”

Here is a positive recommendation from someone who lost his job and his home during the downturn: “If a young person asks me, I would advise them to go into the petroleum field. Contrary to my not-so-wonderful experience, the circumstances now are very favorable for young professionals.”

And, finally, from a member who knows me and my family: “I think your next piece on the subject should be about your career counseling experiences with your boys. Did you broach the energy career question and, if so, how did it go?”

My husband and I told our sons that whatever they did, they had better enjoy it because they were going to be doing it for a long time. We also told them to consider the financial consequences of their decision. Some careers pay more than others, and, effectively, they were choosing a lifestyle when they made their career choice. The oldest is an electrical engineer, and he and his two partners own a systems integration firm in the Washington, DC, area. The youngest earned an economics degree and is a vice president in investment banking in Manhattan, specializing in oil and gas and refining. Both are happy with their career choices although they work extremely long hours.

Nonpetroleum Engineers

From a member who knows of graduating nonpetroleum engineers: “I had hoped to see one of the options for increasing the number of young engineers working in the petroleum industry was the recruiting of nonpetroleum engineers. … I know of two cases where graduating civil engineers have been offered engineering tech jobs in the oil and gas industry. That is a slap in the face for these graduates.”

From another member with a daughter who went to a university without a petroleum engineering department but will graduate with a degree in mechanical engineering: “There appears to be a wealth of engineering talent available to the industry, which it is
not accessing.”

Locations and Hardships

From an SPE member reflecting on his choice of a degree in petroleum engineering: “I think it is easy to hype the cool parts of the business such as travel, major responsibilities right out of the box, mind-blowing technical challenges, … camaraderie, etc. …. All that being said, any fair description should also touch on the ever-present possibility of another bust … the family stress associated with extended separations, personal risk in some parts of the world. …”

From a 2001 petroleum engineering graduate reflecting on his choice: “My employer and many others have continually centralized their operations in Houston. For people who do not want to be tied to one city, there are fewer and fewer
career options.”