Even with the recent downturn in the oil and gas industry, petroleum engineers remain an in-demand occupation. Boom and bust cycles are a definitely a part of the industry, and the duties of an oil engineer are vital no matter the latest economic news. In many cases, petroleum engineers are performing the necessary site engineering work years before a drilling location produces oil or gas.

Petroleum engineers are only one engineering discipline currently in demand in the marketplace. So, no matter your specific area of expertise, this is a great time to be an engineer. Let’s look more closely at the current market.

Good Engineers Remain Difficult to Find

According to a recent employment industry analytics study, petroleum engineers ranked among the 10 most engineering occupations that are the most difficult to fill. In short, if you are an engineer working in the oil and gas industry, rest assured that you are in demand. On the other hand, recruiters looking for qualified petroleum engineers know that finding quality candidates can be a challenging process.

The most in-demand engineering occupations include human factors engineers and ergonomists, industrial engineers, industrial safety and health engineers, as well as fire prevention and protection engineers. Other disciplines ranking on the employment analytics study with petroleum engineers include traditional positions in the field, such as mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, mining engineers, and chemical engineers.

Once again, it is important to note that the engineering profession tends to be more immune to economic downturns than other occupations. So, if you are interested in entering this field or furthering your engineering career, understand that chances are good your skill set will stay in demand.

Demand for Oil and Gas Engineering Continues to Grow

When the U.S. Congress failed to approve the Keystone XL pipeline late last year, some felt that petroleum engineering employment would suffer as a result. However, the data simply does not support that conclusion.

The same analytics firm that released the study referenced earlier noted that there were 12.5 percent more open positions in the mining and oil and gas sectors in late 2014 compared to the previous year. The need for quality candidates at oil and gas companies were greatest in the entire energy extraction industry, with up to nearly 50 percent of open positions being from firms in that sector.

In short, now is a good time to be a petroleum engineer. Additionally, companies looking for quality candidates in this discipline need to partner with a staffing agency experienced in the field.

When searching for a top ranked staffing company in the world of engineering, look no further than The Talley Group. As one of the top engineering employment agencies in Washington State, we are also a great source for Seattle engineering jobs. So if you are a petroleum engineer looking for a challenging new position, or oil extraction firm hoping to find a perfect candidate, make it a point to schedule some time with us as soon as possible.

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!