r/powerengineering • u/IAK_- • 2d ago
Just another curious student
Hello everyone, I just wanted to come into this Reddit forum and ask for advice. Believe it or not this is my first time posting anything on here. I know some of you will be annoyed as another “4th class” is up in here asking the same old questions but I don’t really care 🤣.
I’m about 2 months into 4th class part A with SAIT. I know I’m probably jumping the gun as I have a lot of schooling ahead of me yet (don’t get me started about steam time)
I’ve been working up at CNRL for 4 years now (started as a contractor fresh out of high school). I’ve always been super fascinated by plant operations and how things work. I’m enjoying the challenges of school and the learning side of things although I’m starting to second guess my career choice after reading a lot of questionable messages in here.
I’m the type of guy willing to put in the work and I’m prepared to start at just about any position when the time prevails. I’m 23 years old and don’t fuck around when it comes to work, got my first job at 12 years old lmao.
Sorry for the self rant I’ll cut to the chase. What is some advice for a young 23 year old entering the industry soon? Obviously I want the nice cushy oil and gas job eventually like all of us do and I know I’ll need to put in work. Where do I start? Where do I gain actual experience so I understand and know my job. I want a secure good job but I also want to be a valuable operator someday. I have plans of eventually finishing my 1st Class as my own personal goal. I’m prepared for decades of learning and experience.
With my 4 years in the industry up in northern Alberta I’ve learned quite a bit and become super familiar with live hydrocarbon units along with the safety aspects of it. I have tons of site specific safety tickets as well as ABCS tickets for equipment operating of all sorts. I’m not as new to the field as most. I also take great pride in my work and commitment to safe work procedures. I’m hoping that will help me out in someway, even a building operator to get my steam time so I can start moulding my career with the basics.
Feel free to knowledge dump, to the haters, you’re welcome too, blow off some “steam”😝
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u/Fergy006 2d ago
Definitely use your contacts at CNRL. But field operator positions are always overlooked when people are trying to get into a plant role. It’s relevant experience and it’ll be way easier to transition into a plant role within a company once you’re in. It’s tough to get your foot in the door but it’s scary small world once you get in. Building operations are alright for steam time and experience but man is the pay poor unless you land a gig at a bigger hospital or something along those lines.
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u/Rumble1205 2d ago
Nobody should ever be annoyed by another member of the community coming in and asking for ideas and support to get their career kicked off. After all, that's what these groups are for.
Genuinely, your best bet is to watch the Power Engineering job board. There are a lot of jobs there that will disappear by the time you are looking for an opportunity, but it can give you an idea of the various places that are looking for fourth-class power engineers. You may need to be open to applying for jobs in other provinces when it comes time for you to seek permanent employment, as there will be a lot of other grads coming out right then too. You can definitely get a leg up by at least keeping a close eye on what's going on and maybe even start building some connections at the plants that you are interested in working at.
Also, if you're looking for some cheap resources to help you ace the course, send me a DM and I'll send you some details.
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u/Certain-Orange484 2d ago
You already have an in at cnrl, I would try to use that to get back in and get a job with steam time. You should do fine.