What can you do with a Petroleum Engineering degree from Texas A&M University?

First, some facts. Of the Petroleum Engineering graduates from Texas A&M University we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:


These are estimates based on AI analysis of 25 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 80%, Petroleum Engineering graduates from Texas A&M University have a much higher likelihood (+13%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 80%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, only 32% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests a Bachelors degree is enough for most Petroleum Engineering graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Petroleum Engineering graduate from Texas A&M University and our analysis:


Relevance score: 63%

We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2015 from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor's degree in Petroleum Engineering. Also pursued further education since (see below).

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Drilling Engineer
Energy XXI
Jul 2015 - Dec 2018
As a drilling engineer, the position directly applies specialized knowledge and skills from the petroleum engineering degree, requiring a strong foundation in the principles of drilling and reservoir management.

President | Trader | Analyst
Roller Capital LLC
Dec 2018 - Apr 2021
While trading and analytical skills can be beneficial in the energy sector, the position as President | Trader | Analyst at Roller Capital LLC does not specifically leverage petroleum engineering knowledge on a daily basis.

Data Science Fellow
Springboard
Apr 2021 - Dec 2021
The role of Data Science Fellow is more focused on data analytics and programming skills, which do not directly utilize knowledge from a petroleum engineering degree.

Data Scientist
Tapp Influencer Marketing
Dec 2021 - Mar 2022
As a Data Scientist at Tapp Influencer Marketing, the job centers on marketing analytics rather than petroleum engineering, making it irrelevant to the major.

Pricing Analyst
FleetPride
Mar 2022 - Present
The position as a Pricing Analyst at FleetPride may involve some quantitative analysis skills that could relate to engineering principles, but it does not predominantly revolve around petroleum engineering expertise.

FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING
Unknown degree
Springboard
2021 - 2021

Unknown degree
Springboard Data Science Career Track, Certification
2021 - 2021
ABOUT

I am a Data Scientist and a Data Analyst. I am skilled in Python, SQL and Excel VBA. I have experience with building and tuning predictive models, data visualization, and working with advanced time series analysis models. I've used several AWS cloud computing tools, such as SageMaker and PySpark, to develop machine learning solutions for big data problems. As a Drilling/Petroleum Engineer I used Excel VBA extensively, writing sophisticated programs to automate daily tasks performed daily by Petroleum Engineers. I also gained much experienced in project and time management, budgeting and AFE estimation, supply chain, and well design.In my current role as a Pricing Analyst, I develop various tools to help automate and streamline pricing decisions on millions of skus.Technical Skills:Languages: Python (Pandas, Numpy, Scikit-Learn, PySpark), SQL, Excel VBADatabases: SQL, mySQL, PSQL, SharePoint, WellView, TimeScaleDBMachine Learning: Hypothesis Testing, A/B Testing, Regression, Classification, kNN, Random Forest, K-Means Clustering, Neural Networks, AWS SageMakerData Visualizations: Matplotlib, SpotfireVersion Control: Git, GitHUB, GitLABData Collection: API, CSV, JSONDrafting and Design: AutoCAD, Autodesk Inventor

What jobs can you get with a Petroleum Engineering degree from Texas A&M University?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


Based on the LinkedIn profiles of individuals who graduated with a Petroleum Engineering degree from Texas A&M University, it seems that the most common job roles they took on after graduation fall primarily within the realm of engineering, particularly as drilling engineers, production engineers, and reservoir engineers. Many of these positions, such as Drilling Engineer at companies like Chevron and Oxy, directly apply the core principles of petroleum engineering, emphasizing skills like drilling operations, reservoir management, and engineering design. Other notable positions include Operations Engineers and Field Engineers, often focusing on optimizing oil and gas production processes. This indicates a strong trend towards roles that are not just related, but also foundationally linked to their educational training in petroleum engineering.

However, there are instances where individuals ventured into jobs that might not directly utilize their petroleum engineering skills. For example, roles like Data Scientists, Customer Success Engineers, and investment banking positions highlight a drift away from core engineering responsibilities, focusing instead on data analysis, customer relations, and financial services. While some of these positions require analytical skills that can be honed in engineering programs, they do not leverage the specialized knowledge of petroleum engineering extensively. Overall, while the majority of graduates remain in roles closely tied to their degree, there's a noticeable trend of shifting towards more diverse job functions in the engineering and business fields that don’t always directly relate to petroleum engineering. Still, the significant presence of engineers in traditional petroleum roles showcases the degree's relevance and application in the industry.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Petroleum Engineering graduates (this is across all Petroleum Engineering graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Texas A&M University):

What kind of career trajectories do Petroleum Engineering graduates from Texas A&M University have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

Graduates with a Petroleum Engineering degree from Texas A&M University tend to have a strong career trajectory in the oil and gas industry. Right after graduation, many of them land roles such as drilling engineers, field engineers, or operations engineers at major companies like Chevron, Halliburton, and Anadarko Petroleum. It’s pretty common for them to start in supportive or entry-level positions in the field, which gives them valuable hands-on experience to build on. For instance, many of the graduates from 2010 to 2014 quickly progressed from initial engineering roles to more senior positions like project managers or operations managers within just a few years. This indicates a solid pathway for career growth and development in their respective fields.

Fast forward five to ten years, and the trends continue to look positive. Most graduates remain within the oil and gas sector and often transition into advanced roles like senior engineers, engineering advisors, or even managerial positions. Some have even made entrepreneurial leaps or pivoted into data science roles, showcasing the versatility of their engineering education. Although a few have branched out into completely different areas, like investment banking or tech, it seems that a significant majority stick closely to related fields, which speaks to the strength of a Petroleum Engineering degree. Overall, if you're considering this path, it looks like there are good prospects for building a successful career in this industry!

How hard is a Petroleum Engineering degree from Texas A&M University?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Engineering is on the tougher side compared to many other majors. At Texas A&M University, which has a solid reputation for engineering programs, you'll dive deep into subjects like thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and reservoir engineering. The coursework can be pretty challenging, and you'll definitely need to be good at math and physics. Plus, the projects and labs can be demanding, requiring a good amount of teamwork and problem-solving skills. So, if you're up for a challenge and enjoy engineering, it could be a great fit, but just know that it won’t be a walk in the park!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Petroleum Engineering.

Do Petroleum Engineering graduates from Texas A&M University tend to make good money?

The petroleum engineering graduates from Texas A&M University seem to be doing pretty well financially, especially considering the lucrative nature of the oil and gas industry. Many of them have stepped into solid positions with major companies right out of school, moving up quickly into senior roles like drilling engineers, operations managers, and even vice presidents! The roles they’ve taken on typically come with decent salaries and often opportunities for bonuses, especially in companies like Chevron and Halliburton. Overall, it looks like these grads are on a good financial path, enjoying the benefits of a strong industry that demands skilled engineers. So, if you're considering a future in petroleum engineering, it could lead to a nice paycheck!

What buzzwords do Petroleum Engineering graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Petroleum Engineering (this is across all Petroleum Engineering graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Texas A&M University). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Petroleum Engineering?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Petroleum Engineering (ordered by the average relevance score of their Petroleum Engineering graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count
Texas A&M University 80 25
Louisiana State University 79 26
University of Oklahoma 78 20
Texas Tech University 77 20
Penn State University 75 11
The University of Texas at Austin 75 18
Marietta College 70 20
Colorado School of Mines 69 30
West Virginia University 68 10
University of Houston 67 19
University of Louisiana at Lafayette 63 10