Top Skills Needed to Become a Petroleum Engineer

If you are interested in becoming an engineer in the oil and gas industry, you’ll need to make sure you boast the right skill set to be a success. Petroleum engineering remains a lucrative field, even considering the recent downturn in oil prices. The best engineers in this discipline typically command salaries in the six-figure range.

Are you still interested in becoming a petroleum engineer? What follows is a look at some of the skills you’ll need to bring to the table before beginning your job search.

A Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering is a Must

Before embarking on a quest to find a position in petroleum engineering, you need to make sure your education level is up to snuff. A bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline is a must, and hiring managers tend to give preference to candidates with a degree in petroleum engineering or chemical engineering.

An engineering degree ensures that you’ve learned the math and science skills necessary to thrive as an engineer. Expect to study calculus and trigonometry as well as biology and physics. Petroleum engineering programs also focus on geology and other natural science coursework relevant for a professional life in oil and gas exploration and extraction.

Useful Skills for the Petroleum Engineer

In addition to the skills learned as part of an engineering degree program, petroleum engineers also benefit from other “softer” skills. It is important that you can thrive outside of an office environment, as many engineering in the oil and gas industry spend significant portions of their career in the field. The ability to work well with others is also vital considering that teamwork plays a large factor in the success of many petroleum engineering projects.

Analytical and creative skills also benefit the petroleum engineer, as problem solving is a vital aspect of professional success in the oil and gas industry.

If you are interested in exploring your options for becoming a petroleum engineer more closely, talk to the experts at The Talley Group. As one of the top engineering staffing agencies in Washington State, and a great source of Seattle engineering jobs, our recruiters can help ensure your career gets off to a great start. Schedule some time to chat with us today!