Mechanical Engineering Student: What to Do in School to Get Oil & Gas Industry Job
Hello sir, Good evening to you. Please kindly help with some guidelines / advice sir. I’m a Mechanical Engineering student of a first generation university, starting final year in a month’s time, and looking forward to an career in Oil and Gas. Please I need guidelines / recommendations on certifications / IT skills I may acquire before graduation to give some sort of advantage during job search post graduation. Some advice on what to pay more attention to in this final year academic-wise will also be appreciated. I’m currently some points below first class (4.4x) but hope to make it up before graduation. Thanks in advance, sir.
Munir
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Dear Munir,
You have done well knowing the journey really begins from school. Mechanical engineering is a good course for oil and gas career. I know many people that studied mechanical engineering and are doing well in the oil and gas industry.
Before graduation
- Graduating with 2.1 is good, but first class gives you a better edge. It has better chances of getting you shortlisted for jobs, it could get you scholarships for further study that would help in entering oil and gas sector. So try to push it to first class. While first class itself is no guarantee, it could boost your chances. But it does not in any way mean 2.1 will also not offer you the opportunities, especially as a 4-pointer.
- Familiarize yourself with oil and gas industry by reading news and websites that focus on the industry.
- Try to build a network in the oil and gas industry, offline and online. Attend open events, go to LinkedIn and connect with oil and gas career folks and ask for mentorship, or just “stalk” them online. Follow them, get inspired.
- Look for materials on oil and gas job tests and interviews and start reading. They abound on the internet. Find them. Be familiar with how recruitment processes go in the oil and gas industry.
After graduation
- If you could go for good masters abroad immediately after graduation, it could be helpful. Advanced degrees, especially from top schools, are coveted in the industry. Find scholarships and apply if you cannot afford it.
- Continue your network building. Follow oil and gas groups and people on LinkedIn, attend events, attend career fairs, monitor job sites for openings in the oil and gas industry, throw in your CV.
Where there is no guaranteed way of getting oil and gas jobs, what I have shared with you above may be helpful.
All the best.
Jarus
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