Author Topic: Considering a career change... (Read 2785 times)

AZRedhawk44 · « **on:** March 04, 2009, 10:52:50 AM »

I've worked my way up the IT ladder from a break/fix tech to currently a database developer working with VB from time to time for installation routines or upgrade/administrative tools for my particular product. Not bad progress for a guy with an immensely useful Liberal Arts degree in Asian Studies... but I think I want to do something more tangible and valuable with my life.

The last few years I've really been wanting to know more about how a person gets into petroleum exploration. I would imagine that degrees in Geology, Chemistry, Physics or other sciences would be most likely to be applicable to petro-geology.

Anyone know anyone that works for Big Oil in their exploration departments that wouldn't mind talking to a possible new recruit? I'd like to get a better feel for what the job might entail before I go and get a second BA or chase down a Master's degree.

And... anyone have a good idea of what the educational requirements are for such a job?

And... I've heard that the oil companies are finding it nearly impossible to get new young recruits to their petroleum exploration teams. Can anyone confirm that this particular market is indeed highly in demand?

Devonai · « **Reply #1 on:** March 04, 2009, 10:54:35 AM »

Quote

The last few years I've really been wanting to know more about how a person gets into petroleum exploration.

Dropping lighted matches down interesting fissures is one way.

charby · « **Reply #2 on:** March 04, 2009, 12:01:33 PM »

I'm an IT with a Liberal Arts/Education background. I'm currently working on a BS part time in Forestry. Doing for a career switch also when I am done with my degree.

charby · « **Reply #3 on:** March 04, 2009, 12:10:43 PM »

Quote from: AZRedhawk44 on March 04, 2009, 10:52:50 AM

And... I've heard that the oil companies are finding it nearly impossible to get new young recruits to their petroleum exploration teams. Can anyone confirm that this particular market is indeed highly in demand?

My folks lived in NE Wyoming 1998-2003 and I used to go out there to go trout fishing in the WY Black Hills and the Big Horn Mtns. Many times I would stop by a local watering hole and there would be roughnecks there. I asked them one time how one becomes a roughneck and they told me if I wanted to know be at the place at 7am and they will put me to work that day for $10 an hour to start, pay went up as you proved yourself.

AZRedhawk44 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 04, 2009, 12:48:48 PM »

Charby: not looking to work a rig.

More interested in being on the team that is responsible for finding the next place to install a rig.

cassandra and sara's daddy · « **Reply #5 on:** March 04, 2009, 01:20:57 PM »

congrats and good luck i changed in my early 40's and wish i'd changed earlier. i lacked the nerve. its often harder the older you get.you sound like you have a real plan and thats better than i did. though that old saw about a plan and first contact with the enemy is often true too.

Fjolnirsson · « **Reply #6 on:** March 04, 2009, 02:22:46 PM »

I'm looking for a career change, as well, or rather, looking to find an actual career. No idea what I want to do, though, so you are way ahead of me there.

charby · « **Reply #7 on:** March 04, 2009, 02:28:22 PM »

Quote from: AZRedhawk44 on March 04, 2009, 12:48:48 PM

Charby: not looking to work a rig.

More interested in being on the team that is responsible for finding the next place to install a rig.

Looks like you need to become a Geophysicist.

Matthew Carberry · « **Reply #8 on:** March 04, 2009, 02:29:46 PM »

Check out the Univ of Alaska Fairbanks Petroleum Engineering program. By all accounts it is one of the premiere programs of its type in the world.

charby · « **Reply #9 on:** March 04, 2009, 02:36:48 PM »

Screw the oil become a Whiskey Drummer

http://www.mycareernetwork.com/clientResumeMgr/jobDetails.asp?jid=78764&cid=1297

seeker_two · « **Reply #10 on:** March 04, 2009, 03:23:21 PM »

I'm thinking about a career change, too. I've been in the mental health/caseworker field for over 10 years, and I'm ready for something different. I've tried car sales & insurance adjusting before--and realized I have no talent for either.

Anyone know any good websites where I can get some free quick-&-dirty career counselling?

Brad Johnson · « **Reply #11 on:** March 04, 2009, 03:42:56 PM »

Quote from: AZRedhawk44 on March 04, 2009, 10:52:50 AM

The last few years I've really been wanting to know more about how a person gets into petroleum exploration.

Take a swim in the Delaware. Plenty of petroleum to explore there.

Brad

FTA84 · « **Reply #12 on:** March 04, 2009, 04:33:56 PM »

It is also a great time to spend your savings (on tangible goods, like cars and houses) before it becomes toilet tissue.

charby · « **Reply #13 on:** March 04, 2009, 04:36:51 PM »

Quote from: FTA84 on March 04, 2009, 04:33:56 PM

It is also a great time to spend your savings (on tangible goods, like cars and houses) before it becomes toilet tissue.

You mean guns, guns and more guns!

Brad Johnson · « **Reply #14 on:** March 04, 2009, 04:42:11 PM »

Quote from: FTA84 on March 04, 2009, 04:33:56 PM

It is also a great time to spend your savings (on tangible goods, like cars and houses) before it becomes toilet tissue.

No! No! No!

First, the only thing that loses value faster than the current stock market is a vehicle. Second, liquidating savings to purchase anything, even a home, is a 100% guaranteed loss on your savings investment.

Nope. Sit tight and ride it out. It may get bumpy but, if history is any indicator, the market will eventually stabilize and begin to rise.

Brad

Balog · « **Reply #15 on:** March 06, 2009, 10:59:56 PM »

Quote from: Brad Johnson on March 04, 2009, 04:42:11 PM

No! No! No!

First, the only thing that loses value faster than the current stock market is a vehicle. Second, liquidating savings to purchase anything, even a home, is a 100% guaranteed loss on your savings investment.

Nope. Sit tight and ride it out. It may get bumpy but, if history is any indicator, the market will eventually stabilize and begin to rise.

Brad

Nothing stays the same forever. "Forget those silly Visigoths; no one can invade Rome!"

BobR · « **Reply #16 on:** March 07, 2009, 12:32:42 AM »

Here is a snippet of an article that was in the Spokesman-Review (Spokane) back in May. The article gas been archived and you have to pay to see the whole thing, but this will give you an idea.

Quote

It’s a good time to be a geology major.

Graduates in the field are facing lucrative opportunities as they enter the job market, thanks to record metals and oil prices. The average pay for a petroleum geologist with two years experience or less has risen about 60 percent in the past eight years.

“This year it’s just booming,” said Peter Isaacson, professor of geological sciences at the University of Idaho. “It’s really going great guns.”

Students in Isaacson’s programs – some of whom will graduate today – can choose among jobs and salaries that would make many other graduates salivate.

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2008/may/10/geology-degree-a-hot-commodity/

bob

DonTron · « **Reply #17 on:** March 08, 2009, 12:34:35 AM »

AZRedhawk44,

You will need a BS in Geology or Engineering (specifically, Petroleum Engineering). This will take 4 years as a full time student, but by then the price of oil will be back up there and the petroleum industry will be hiring like crazy.

I can say from experience that the engineering curriculum is a rough one and requires a strong aptitude for science and math. I can't say anything about geology except that paleontology was the most boring class I ever took in my entire life. The field trips were fun though.

Or consider a degree in renewable energy. An equally hot field these days.

Whatever you decide, good luck.

AZRedhawk44 · « **Reply #18 on:** March 08, 2009, 12:46:27 AM »

Thank you, DonTron!

Is it safe to assume you have personal experience in this career path? Your answer sounds rather authoritative. You mention experience in the curriculum... did you work in the industry?

News:

Author Topic: Considering a career change... (Read 2785 times)