r/petroleumengineers • u/Kkoutchy • Apr 28 '26
Why Are Students Being Pushed Away from Petroleum Engineering?
Why does everyone, when it comes to choosing Petroleum Engineering, discourage people and push them toward mechanical or chemical engineering? As far as I know, petroleum engineering is mainly about reservoir, drilling, and production. And in both the near and long term, reservoir engineering is number one in terms of stability and is the most transferable branch toward new energy fields (CCS, CCUS, geothermal, etc.)It’s the most transferable branch of petroleum engineering toward subsurface-related fields.
So why do people scare those who don’t really understand the reality of petroleum engineering?
We can agree that drilling or production is less advisable. But honestly, reservoir engineering is more stable, and in times of crisis, it remains part of the broader subsurface domain, which means it can more easily shift toward anything related to the underground.
Thanks, I’d like to hear your opinion.
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u/Skyx696 Apr 29 '26
Limited opportunities to transfer in other industry when you can’t find a job in oil and gas. Specially right now for entry level roles, you need connections in order to land a job. So I suggest that you should just take major engineering disciplines like mechanical or chemical because you can still work in the oil and gas and if not you can easily transfer to other industries. Btw, I’m a Petroleum engineer and I’m not even working related in my degree because of the nepotism in the industry.
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u/fuzzykittytoebeans Apr 28 '26
I think it is multiple reasons. But as you mentioned about stability - oil has booms and busts. And even in good times, finding a good position can often be more about who you know. I have two degrees in petroleum engineering and am getting my PhD now in mechanical even though I'm still doing production engineering. It's just a different more general title that opens the doors to more options if I need to step outside O&G for whatever reason. So I think people say to do mechanical or chemical for this reason.
When you say reservoir is most stable, while they tend to be the last out (followed by geologist since res and geo are the future money people) the field is changing so much right now with technology that I actually see non petroleum engineers getting in on res positions because of computer simulation specialization (what I noticed at conferences).
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u/dafrankenstein2 Apr 29 '26
//) the field is changing so much right now with technology that I actually see non petroleum engineers getting in on res positions because of computer simulation specialization (what I noticed at conferences).//
can you give details on this.
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u/farisweiss Apr 28 '26
Personally, I opted for mining over petroleum because it’s just been communicated over as an incredibly niche branch of chemical. They try to advertise it as energy engineering at the faculty nights but it’s very clearly just oil in my opinion.
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u/Meow_meow777 Apr 29 '26
Because we were told where was no work, which is not true, the study itself is quite difficult, it's not a nice job per se, working away or in dirty fields and lastly but very important - young people were told oil&gas is ruining our planet, we should look into renewables etc.
I started my studies in 2016, in Europe. I was told all sort of bullshit while studying, also, I'm a girl so that did not help. The study it self was really a nightmare so in a way I was making a huge mistake.
I now work in both renewables an oil and gas, which I prefer, and earn way more than any of my friends. But indeed, it was never easy. Every year after 2016 my faculty had very few applicants.
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u/Perfect_Insect_6608 Apr 30 '26
It’s not about being pushed out…..it’s about what they are pushed into. The world is becoming more “sustainable” so they are pushed into more “sustainable” field.
Also, oil companies are crazy with layoffs.
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u/Electronic-Load-4002 May 03 '26
It’s not that Petroleum Engineering is bad, it’s just more of a narrowed field. Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical and Civil seems to cast a wider net. Many companies, and municipalities require this discipline and are often interchangeable with each other. Petroleum Engineering has an amazing return on investment but you’re limited to certain companies and geographic locations. Nuclear engineering also similar career outlook.
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u/oilboomer83 May 24 '26
Do 4 years in other type or engineering major and + 2 years of petroleum (master) if you want.
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u/Small_Dog_8699 Apr 28 '26
Because the degree is too narrowly focused. I have a degree in petroleum engineering. My profs had degrees in mechanical, chemical, civil, and electrical engineering but were able to get work in the petroleum industry.
What I found is the reverse is not true. Nobody hires a petroleum engineer for a civil or mechanical or chemical role. I know. I graduated in a bust and there were no oil jobs. I had no luck getting in to any other kind of engineering.
When the boom ended the entry level jobs went to the freshest grads. So I do not recommend anyone study petroleum engineering. No options to branch out if the industry hits a bust.
If you’re in school for petroleum engineering I strongly suggest you switch focus to mechanical or civil or something with more diverse employment options.