Oil & Gas Job

Off Topic
21

[quote]A-rod wrote:
Angry Chicken

Could you elaborate a bit more on this. How about an individual like me who graduate with a undergrad in Bio is having no luck finding jobs in my field, granted its only been a month and half since I graduated but I am already frustrated. Could I break into that industry. I could pass a drug test and I grew up in a garage so I am good with my hands. Whats your opinion?
[/quote]

Not trying to toot my own horn, but I went down as a VERY highly qualified electrician with 15 years experience specializing in industrial power and motor controls. When they gave me a little “quiz” to test my electrical knowledge, I corrected a few of the questions. After a month probation period where I proved myself in the field they pretty much paid the price I named.

That’s a different situation than you are in. Not saying that you CAN’T find a job down there in an entry level position, but the way I was able to go down and hit a home run was because of my experience and particular skill set.

At the end of the day, only YOU can decide what your risk tolerance is. If you know you can do it, do it. If you knock on enough doors, one will open.

22

[quote]angry chicken wrote:

[quote]coolnatedawg wrote:

[quote]Derek542 wrote:

[quote]carbiduis wrote:
whats your experience/degree/current position? I’m curious.

And I highly doubt the need for oil/gas will decline substantially anytime soon. how many people drive teslas or nissan leafs? Even a prius uses gas and Semi’s and trains aren’t going anywhere, not to mention our militaries need.

would you have to relocate? How much of a pay bump (percentage)?

How did you get the job offer? did you apply etc. or did they come to you ?

I NEED ANSWERS DAMMIT!!! (lol)
[/quote]
Dude I was just in Odessa last week and will be going back to set up medical for an Engineering company. There is work everywhere there right now. [/quote]

Right but I think he is more looking for an explanation on how the OP got an offer for something he apparently isn’t involved in. How did he stumble on to and get an offer for this position?
[/quote]

Three years ago I went down to Louisiana, with nothing but my tools and a resume (commercial electrician with no rig experience), paid for a two week class to get certified to work offshore, knocked on three doors and got hired on the spot in about 15 minutes at rt. 90 and Derrick rd. in Lafayette.

I successfully worked as a rig electrician/I & E Tech for over a year. Made a shit ton of money and got to fly around in a helicopter fixing cool shit. Later I was able to leverage that critical power experience into a pretty cool job back home making six figures.

There is SO much money in oil and gas right now with no end in sight. They are building larger and more sophisticated “sub salt” rigs that can drill down to 30,000 feet to tap some of the largest reserves ever recorded in the world. They NEED good people. Half of the workers down there are unqualified or on meth. Seriously, do not underestimate the ability to pass a drug test. Even if you are a Yankee (and everyone born above interstate 10 is a Yankee) you can still get a fair shake if you are smart and know how to sell yourself.

Here is link to RigZone. Oil & Gas Jobs in United States | Rigzone
[/quote]

I was more alluding to the fact that OP didn’t mention what he was involved in currently so we had no basis to know how he got himself this position.

I know your situation pretty well obviously and think that you were definitely the poster child for lemons into lemonade. I myself am going to try and roll this new position I’m starting into getting some quality electrical/network experience so I can start to parlay that into bigger and better work in a few years time. I’d love to be able to use my background in physics to my advantage as it hasn’t really done me much good as of yet.

23

[quote]PulsedEE wrote:

[quote]Derek542 wrote:
Where North Dakota or Odessa Texas? [/quote]

I was born and raised in Odessa. The overall growth in that city is absolutely mindblowing. I graduated highschool ~10 years ago, and when I visit every 6 months or so it’s like a new city. I could write pages about how the oil field has affected that area. Not to mention, it has seen a 75% increase in violent crimes in the last 5 years, and is currently rated the most violent city in the US. There is something like an average of 1 traffic fatality per day due to the huge increase in population, inexperienced drivers, and an infrastructure not designed to handle that sort of growth. I was offered a 160k engineering job with a BS degree there. It’s insane.[/quote]

All I read was 160k with BSME, DAYUM. Were there any stipulations/downsides to the offer? ? Like expecting 60+ hrs/wk etc? Even though for 60hrs a week that would be a killer salary. How much experience did you have when they offered?

24

[quote]carbiduis wrote:

[quote]PulsedEE wrote:

[quote]Derek542 wrote:
Where North Dakota or Odessa Texas? [/quote]

I was born and raised in Odessa. The overall growth in that city is absolutely mindblowing. I graduated highschool ~10 years ago, and when I visit every 6 months or so it’s like a new city. I could write pages about how the oil field has affected that area. Not to mention, it has seen a 75% increase in violent crimes in the last 5 years, and is currently rated the most violent city in the US. There is something like an average of 1 traffic fatality per day due to the huge increase in population, inexperienced drivers, and an infrastructure not designed to handle that sort of growth. I was offered a 160k engineering job with a BS degree there. It’s insane.[/quote]

All I read was 160k with BSME, DAYUM. Were there any stipulations/downsides to the offer? ? Like expecting 60+ hrs/wk etc? Even though for 60hrs a week that would be a killer salary. How much experience did you have when they offered?
[/quote]

For real. Maybe my ass will head to TX.

I feel like that goes against everything I’ve ever said though as I can barely stand Virginia heat haha

25

oil and gas is a great industry to get into, especially if you’re young. Went to north dakota because my cousin was out there working rigs. It was a crazy experience, learned a lot and made some good money. Although what pulsedee described is exactly what is going on in Williston and the surrounding area.

to the op: go for it. Your experience in an intense field like that can help you down the road even if the oil and gas industry were to fall through.

26

[quote]PulsedEE wrote:

[quote]Derek542 wrote:
Where North Dakota or Odessa Texas? [/quote]

I was born and raised in Odessa. The overall growth in that city is absolutely mindblowing. I graduated highschool ~10 years ago, and when I visit every 6 months or so it’s like a new city. I could write pages about how the oil field has affected that area. Not to mention, it has seen a 75% increase in violent crimes in the last 5 years, and is currently rated the most violent city in the US. There is something like an average of 1 traffic fatality per day due to the huge increase in population, inexperienced drivers, and an infrastructure not designed to handle that sort of growth. I was offered a 160k engineering job with a BS degree there. It’s insane.[/quote]
Honestly last week was my first visit to that area. I asked about traffic fatalities cause dear lord seems like nobody could drive out there. And I am coming from Houston.

Now I have to find a PA, EMT-B and a bunch of Paramedics to staff stations out there. Interesting situation for sure.

Good mexican food though :slight_smile:

27

[quote]carbiduis wrote:

[quote]PulsedEE wrote:

[quote]Derek542 wrote:
Where North Dakota or Odessa Texas? [/quote]

I was born and raised in Odessa. The overall growth in that city is absolutely mindblowing. I graduated highschool ~10 years ago, and when I visit every 6 months or so it’s like a new city. I could write pages about how the oil field has affected that area. Not to mention, it has seen a 75% increase in violent crimes in the last 5 years, and is currently rated the most violent city in the US. There is something like an average of 1 traffic fatality per day due to the huge increase in population, inexperienced drivers, and an infrastructure not designed to handle that sort of growth. I was offered a 160k engineering job with a BS degree there. It’s insane.[/quote]

All I read was 160k with BSME, DAYUM. Were there any stipulations/downsides to the offer? ? Like expecting 60+ hrs/wk etc? Even though for 60hrs a week that would be a killer salary. How much experience did you have when they offered?
[/quote]

*BSEE.

Stipulations were field work, lots of travel, 60+ hours a week. No experience other than a handful of summer jobs in the oil field / machine shops, and growing up around there and knowing the right people.

I turned it down because I wanted to go the advanced degree (almost done with my PhD) route and because I have no desire to live in Odessa / Midland again.

Not that it matters a ton with that salary, but the housing market is ridiculous. An 800 square foot apartment that isn’t well kept easily goes for $2k a month. Most non-oil field jobs (teachers, secretaries, etc) can’t afford to live there without a spouse.

28

I wonder how the construction industry is doing there. Do you know anything about how well contractors and builders are doing in Odessa/Midland. I might have to take a trip down there and see for myself. It could be a good time to build some spec houses.

[quote]PulsedEE wrote:

[quote]carbiduis wrote:

[quote]PulsedEE wrote:

[quote]Derek542 wrote:
Where North Dakota or Odessa Texas? [/quote]

I was born and raised in Odessa. The overall growth in that city is absolutely mindblowing. I graduated highschool ~10 years ago, and when I visit every 6 months or so it’s like a new city. I could write pages about how the oil field has affected that area. Not to mention, it has seen a 75% increase in violent crimes in the last 5 years, and is currently rated the most violent city in the US. There is something like an average of 1 traffic fatality per day due to the huge increase in population, inexperienced drivers, and an infrastructure not designed to handle that sort of growth. I was offered a 160k engineering job with a BS degree there. It’s insane.[/quote]

All I read was 160k with BSME, DAYUM. Were there any stipulations/downsides to the offer? ? Like expecting 60+ hrs/wk etc? Even though for 60hrs a week that would be a killer salary. How much experience did you have when they offered?
[/quote]

*BSEE.

Stipulations were field work, lots of travel, 60+ hours a week. No experience other than a handful of summer jobs in the oil field / machine shops, and growing up around there and knowing the right people.

I turned it down because I wanted to go the advanced degree (almost done with my PhD) route and because I have no desire to live in Odessa / Midland again.

Not that it matters a ton with that salary, but the housing market is ridiculous. An 800 square foot apartment that isn’t well kept easily goes for $2k a month. Most non-oil field jobs (teachers, secretaries, etc) can’t afford to live there without a spouse.[/quote]