A petroleum engineer is responsible for designing and developing new methods of extracting gas and oil from deposits that are underneath the surface of the earth. Petroleum engineers also find new ways to extract the gas and oil from older wells. They spend a lot of time on drilling sites but also work in research labs. So how does one become a petroleum engineer? What kind of degree opportunities are available? These are just some of the questions that will be answered in the information below.

How to Become a Petroleum Engineer

In order to become a petroleum engineer you will need to obtain a Bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering or a similar engineering program. Chemical and mechanical engineering are also viable options. If you plan to become a professor you will then need to obtain a Master’s degree. If you are an engineer that works in a public sector, you will be required to become licensed in the state in which you wish to work.

What do Petroleum Engineers Make?

A petroleum engineer has the potential to make anywhere from $65,000-$89,000 a year depending on what company you work for. The more experience you have the more your salary will increase. You will also have a higher salary if you have a Master’s degree.

Where to Get a Degree

There are a number of college that offer degree programs in petroleum engineering. The University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University both offer extensive degrees in petroleum engineering. The program at Texas A&M University has one of the best petroleum engineering programs in the country. Their curriculum consists of course work that helps to prepare students for a career in engineering by giving them hands-on training in drilling as well as production. They teach students the proper way to work in teams and solve engineering problems.

The program at the University of Texas at Austin offers Petroleum and Engineering Systems degrees. They have both graduate and undergraduate degree programs which provide students with the ability to feel completely prepared in terms of various aspects of engineering. They have one of the top-rated schools in the country when it comes to petroleum engineering. Most of the colleges that offer degree programs in the subject are located in Texas due to the easy access to drilling wells.

Conclusion

Regardless of what you are interested in there are a number of different programs and colleges to choose from. If you love science and want to get into the petroleum engineering field, make sure to thoroughly research the school you wish to attend and find the program that best fits your needs. Any type of engineering is a good field to pursue a career in.

Petroleum Engineering: The Way Forward Credit Picture License: Asab, UAE 1982 via photopin cc