Petroleum Engineering vs Chemical?

[NT123]

Hi All,

I'm currently deciding on what to major in - my top 2 choices are chemical and petroleum engineering. I slightly favor petroleum engineering, but I am not sure whether it would be a good idea to go into it at this stage since I am uncertain about the future of the oil industry.

I am considering doing a BSc in chemical engineering followed by an MS in petroleum engineering, which would allow me to become a petroleum engineer but have what I believe to be the more stable chemical engineering to fall back on if the oil industry began to suffer. This would be possible at my university (UT Austin), since the petroleum graduate program covers the basics of petroleum engineering in the program itself, since it accepts a lot of people from non PE majors. However, I would like to hear people's opinions on whether this is a good idea.

Also, I would be like to hear anyone in the petroleum industry's opinion on how the industry will look over the next few decades.

Thanks in advance, Nick

 

[DDTea]

A few decades from now is hard to forecast. In the near term, though, Petroleum industry is a great place to work and you wouldn't go wrong (unless you're like me and you hate the smell of crude oil). The pay is top-notch, lots of vacation, etc.

 

[Kevin_Axion]

No one goes into Petroleum Engineering anymore, they go into Chemical Engineering.

 

[Ashuron]

Chemical Engineering will be a safer bet..
Since we can not predict the future of Oil industry..
Current condition of finding job from oil company, however, is quite good..