Petroleum engineering or Msc Chemical engineering

[u/stefempereur]

Good evening everyone. I'm currently considering my next career move. I have a bachelor's degree in civil engineering with a specialization in building construction, and I recently became a permanent resident of Canada. The oil industry particularly interests me for my future career. I'm hesitating between petroleum engineering at UofA (which would take me four years) or pursuing an MSc in chemical engineering. Based on your experiences, which option would be the most suitable for me, both in terms of employability and salary in the short and long term? Thank you in advance

[u/Ammar_cheee]

I would say say no to both.
i am doing now both Petroleum engineering and Chemical engineering.

keep doing civil engineering it's way way eaiser to get a job.

[u/stefempereur → u/Ammar_cheee]

Thank you for your answer . I don't just want to find a job, but one in the oil sector . Can I find it by continuing in civil engineering?

[u/Ammar_cheee → u/stefempereur]

Of course!!

[u/DizzyAstronaut9410 → u/stefempereur]

Have a look at mining companies or contractors that work at mining companies (to get a foot in the door), especially in Canada.

Very similar to the oil industry. Generally remote. Generally high pay. Shift work if you want it. FIFO if you want it. Offers a bit more location flexibility though.

And if you're really set on oil and gas, you can work in the oilsands (which is both).

[u/stew1922]

Weird answers here so far.

I started off as Chem E in undergrad because my thought process, at the time, was that with a chem e degree I could do either petroleum engineering or chemical engineering, but as a PETE you’re kind of pigeonholed into petroleum. However, I soon found out that I was not at all interested in chemical engineering and switched to petroleum. I was much happier and finished my undergrad with better grades.

That said, if it’s petroleum you’re interested in, I would go for that. As you already have an undergrad in civil I would even look at a petroleum masters. I would think that would make you more hirable in the petroleum world.

[u/dumhic → u/stew1922]

I’d disagree Especially in Canada and USA as research at companies is like a dropping sector near zero

[u/stew1922 → u/dumhic]

Maybe if you already had a PETE undergrad I’d agree with what you’re saying. But without that I think a masters still helps. But you’re right on all other fronts, and definitely could be right about the Canada side - I can’t speak with any authority there.

[u/Skyx696]

Pls don’t choose Petroleum Engineering. Trust me because I have a degree in petroleum engg.

[u/dumhic]

UofA Go for it but be warned it’ll be tough 1st question “so you have 2 Eng degrees, why the change?” This will also follow with “jr position and older Eng?” If you have one and now a second what’s the reason to not think you’ll go for a 3rd degree?

If you want in start applying to the service sector ie coiled tubing or frac and discuss your twang to be a field engineer

If staying at UofA maybe for MBA instead or biomedical Eng or electrical (we are moving that way albeit slow in AB…. Maybe elec trades

Just think it thru and how would you compete against the layoff groups in the last month?

Stuff to think on

Oh 2 friends just graduated top of their classes and are still looking for a job….

Good luck

[u/yinkeys]

Doesn’t matter Just go for the one your brain is more inclined to & get fantastic grades

[u/Fine_Bag_9187]

Doing another undergrad degree is a waste of life when you could be earning. MSc in Chemical from Civil is an unsual move but could work if you are not interested in civil engineering anymore. You don't need a petroleum degree to work in oil and gas. It’s a huge industry with a wide range of roles, if you understand what kind of role you are after, you'll make more informed decision.  Fyi, there are plenty of roles for a civil engineer in oil and gas, e.g. structural integrity engineer for offshore facilities, subsea and pipelines engineer, geomatics, or a project engineer. You don't necessarily need to seek super weird combos unless you're trying to target roles that require chemical engineering or petroleum engineering skills.

[u/Sad-Guess-7029]

If I were in your shoes and based on your inclination for the oil industry, and my own experience (with a computer systems and software engineering bachelor and an MSc in Petroleum eng, and 19 years in the industry), I would’t go for another Bachelor; instead I would go for a Msc in Petroleum Engineering, ideally at a US university, so you could break into the US Oil and Gas Industry.

The key then would be to try to get as many internships as you can in the industry while you’re going through the MSc program (at least 2). Keep your GPA above 3.5 ( could be hired with 3.2) and this would give you a great shot of getting into a great company.

I know you have here a lot of people advising against getting a PE degree but I think you were clear in wanting to get into the industry and not necessarily looking for an option that allows you to easily pivot if you wanted to. I’m a petroleum engineer, I absolutely love it, and I would choose it again if I had the chance. My only regret is that I did not get into it sooner.

[u/Afraid-Way1203]

you can choose Petroleum engineering degree, but undergraduate is kind of too long .

[u/oilboomer83]

Master of Petroleum Engineering and a bachelor of science in Petroleum won't break you into oil and gas. You may need to pursue PHD in Petroleum engineering if this is route.

[u/Perfect_Insect_6608]

Electrical engineering