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!

There aren’t many industries that value safety more than the world of aerospace. Aviation engineers spend rewarding careers formulating and developing new innovations improving aircraft efficiency and ultimately creating a more secure environment for both passengers and crew.

As the aviation industry continues to expand and carrying more travelers and cargo, improving safety in an environmentally sustainable fashion is a prime directive of many aerospace engineering programs. What follows is a look at one engineering program’s attempt to find non-destructive methods to improve aircraft maintenance and safety.

The A*STAR Aerospace Program offers Innovations in Aircraft Maintenance

Researchers and engineers at the Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR) are developing methods to detect aircraft components in need of repair earlier than previously possible. Their hope is to lessen the cost of aircraft maintenance while increasing passenger safety. Leveraging non-destructive methods to find defects also saves time and money.

One major problem with aircraft is when water seeps into the body. A*STAR Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology’s Dmitry Isakov is leading a project to detect water in aircraft components before it adversely impacts performance during flight.

“Water always finds the easiest way to get in, which is around discontinuities such as joints and bolts. Once inside, the water expands and contracts as it freezes and melts, damaging structures, causing corrosion and increasing the aircraft’s weight,” said Isakov.

Detecting Water with a Vacuum

The engineers leverage a vacuum to detect water in an aircraft’s body. The vacuum causes the water to boil at room temperature with a resultant fast cooling detectable using thermal imagery. “Water detection using my vacuum method requires just one technician, is fast and highly sensitive, and there is no ambiguity with the sealant,” added Isakov.

This improvement in fault detection makes maintenance both more accurate and more inexpensive — a perfect result for an engineer.

If these aviation engineering innovations inspire you to take your career even further, talk to the talented staff at The Talley Group. As one of the top engineering staffing agencies in the Northwest, they are a great source of Seattle engineering jobs and timely career advice. Schedule a meeting with them today!

Networking remains a vital part of career development no matter the industry. If you are an oil and gas engineer, you need to grow your professional network, leveraging both local opportunities and online sites like LinkedIn.

Untimely mistakes can also detract from your networking efforts. Here are five missteps you need to be sure to avoid when attending a professional networking opportunity.

1. Only Interacting with those you already know at an Event

Networking events are designed for professionals to meet new people in their field. Interacting only with people you already know at an event defeats the purpose of attending. Get over any shyness and introduce yourself!

2. Not Maintaining a Confident Demeanor

It is important to exude confidence when networking. Believe in yourself and your engineering abilities and it will show when meeting new people at any professional event.

3. Don’t Treat your Network as a One Way Street

Of course you want to grow your professional network, but so do the other attendees at this event. Make it a point to introduce anyone you meet to others with whom you maintain a professional relationship. One way networks aren’t valuable to any career.

4. Networking isn’t about collecting Business Cards

Focus more on talking with and learning about your new connection before asking for their business card. Some professionals merely collect a ton of business cards with little forethought on what to do with them. Establishing a true connection is more important than a piece of card stock.

5. Never Following Up is a Big Networking Mistake

Following up with each your new contacts after any event truly establishes a professional connection. If you don’t follow up, chances are you will be forgotten with only a lonely business card to trigger a memory. Don’t let that happen!

Remember these potential networking mistakes before heading off to your next professional event.

If you need any additional advice on professional networking in the oil and gas industry, talk to the experts at The Talley Group. As one of the top engineering staffing agencies in Washington State, they are a great source for Seattle engineering jobs. Be sure to schedule a meeting with them today!