5 Steps To Build A Career In The Oil Industry
Careers in the oil sector are highly diverse and may require various skill levels. That said, it remains appealing to engineering graduates looking to start their careers and even seasoned employees wanting to change careers.
Currently, the oil industry is at a crossroads. Seasoned workers are now preparing to retire while challenging and new exploration projects are coming up to meet the ever-growing energy demand. This demand is expected to increase by up to 40% by 2035.
Such opposing sides are creating unprecedented gaps in experience and skills, causing the oil sector to enjoy a recruitment boom. If you’re interested in entering this sector, this article shares how to build a strong, successful career in the oil industry; from fulfilling basic requirements and taking up training courses from experts like AGA—a reliable transition to work Shires of Mitchell training provider, to brushing up your CV and marketing yourself. So, read on!
1. Fulfill Basic Requirements
Of course, with any career, you want to fulfill the basic requirements for the job. You can conduct preliminary research online to determine the typical prerequisites of oil field jobs in your locality. Most employers have general requirements, such as age and educational attainment. Some positions may only require a high school diploma but others require an undergraduate degree. You may also ask oil field workers about the requirements needed. Then, acquire the said requirements by taking education or certificates.
2. Take Up Training Courses
Once you have fulfilled the basic requirements, you can further develop your career by taking training courses that enable you to gain new skills and knowledge. It also helps expand your job prospects and impress employers, increasing your earning potential.
What’s more, some training courses can even help you with job placement. For instance, AGA offers one of the largest and best training services and opportunities for an easy transition to work Mitchell Shire, AU has to offer. These professional organizations offer a wide range of workforce development solutions that can be tailored to many different professions and industries. At the same time, they allow you to earn the necessary certifications for a specific job.
3. Gain Experience
Gaining experience through internships and apprenticeships offered by an oil company can give you a feel of what the industry is like. Not only that, but it also gives you a chance to meet professionals in the field, build your resume, gain practical experience and learn from seasoned professionals.
This is also a graduation requirement to complete a bachelor’s or associate degree program. Some of the companies that may provide these opportunities include:
- Pipeline operators
- Oil drilling firms
- Equipment producers
- Energy providers
- Transmission grid operators
Bear in mind, however, that it can be highly competitive to earn a spot in this industry. Depending on your university, you may get a structured work placement program, giving you access to some of the biggest names in the oil industry.
4. Discover Your Interest
Most people think that entering the oil industry means working on an offshore rig. But that isn’t always true. While most jobs in this industry involve heavy labor, logistics, or equipment operations, there are other types of professions. After all, like any other industry, the businesses in the oil sector take different team members to coordinate staff, ensure health and safety, deliver services, market and develop products, and attract clients.
Some of the common professions in the oil industry include:
- Industrial technologist
- Logistics and transportation staff
- Engineering
- Information technology specialist
- Human resources
- Geologist
- Finance and Accounting
- Health and safety officer
With a wide range of jobs available, there’s sure to be something that piques your interest.
5. Sell Yourself
A part of any career building is selling yourself. And it starts with your CV. Ideally, you want to tailor your CV to a specific application. You want to keep it concise and focus on key points. Also, include your contact details, relevant experience, skills, and education and employment history in reverse chronological order.
In addition to your CV, you also need to start networking. Consider creating profiles on popular professional networks such as LinkedIn. Make the necessary connections and follow thought leaders and relevant industry news to develop your market knowledge. Lastly, attend industry events whenever you can to grow your circle of contacts.
Takeaway
As the world continues to have high energy requirements, the oil industry makes the perfect place for those looking for a stable career. For the foreseeable future, you can expect a high demand for workers in the oil industry, from project managers and engineers to environmental consultants and offshore technicians.
So, if you’ve decided to dip your toes into this sector, follow the above tips and strategies to start and build a productive career.
