Energy and oil careers include
everything from finding oil in the ground to using nuclear energy to generate
electric power. Electric energy generation, transmission, natural gas pipeline
operation and oil refinery operation all provide career options.
View 1 Popular School »
Energy
and Oil Careers Options
Energy careers are found in these
industries: electric power generation and transmission, oil exploration and
production and petroleum refining and transportation. Engineers and technicians
build and operate electric power transmission grids and plants that produce
electric power, such as hydroelectric, wind, nuclear, coal or natural gas.
Geoscientists, engineers and rotary drilling rig crews search for and produce
oil. Pipeline, refinery and natural gas plant operators transport oil products
and break them into their components.
Energy
Careers
Careers are available in non-oil
energy industries, including nuclear and hydroelectric energy, and renewable
energy technologies, such as wind, solar, biomass and geothermal energy. Some
common job titles in this field include renewable energy engineer, wind turbine
technician, hydroelectric power dispatcher, nuclear power plant operator and
energy analyst. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that research
and development jobs in wind energy may include options for aerospace, civil,
electrical and environmental engineers (www.bls.gov).
Careers
in Oil and Other Fossil Fuels
Industries producing oil and energy
derived from fossil fuels also offer several career options. Careers can be
found in drilling for oil or natural gas on land and at sea, pipeline
construction and maintenance and mining. Petroleum geologists and engineers,
seismologists, geoscientists, oil or coal power plant operators and oilfield
workers are all employed by oil and fossil fuel energy companies.
Energy
and Oil Careers Requirements
Education and training requirements
for careers in oil and energy can vary widely depending on the job. Some jobs,
such as rotary drilling crew or roughneck jobs, only require a high school
diploma. Other jobs in this industry, including research and development jobs,
may entail earning a bachelor's degree or a graduate degree in a related field.
Engineers
and Geoscientists
Engineering careers in energy and
oil require at least a bachelor's degree in engineering with a concentration in
a specific field. Engineers who offer services directly to the public must be
licensed by their state. The BLS reported that entry-level positions are
available for geoscientists with a bachelor's degree, but a master's degree is
generally preferred. Some states require geoscientists to be licensed.
Salary
and Employment Outlook
The BLS expected petroleum engineers
to see an increase in employment, by about 26%, from 2012 until 2022, while
geoscientists could see 16% employment growth. The related field of geological
and petroleum technicians, who often work in subordinate positions to
geologists and petroleum engineers, were predicted to see a 15% employment
growth rate. As of May 2012, petroleum engineers earned $130,280 in median
wages, while geoscientists earned $90,890 and geological and petroleum
technicians earned $52,700.
Power
Plant Operators
A high school diploma is a minimum
requirement for plant operators and dispatchers. According to the BLS,
on-the-job training and practical experience is often a requirement. Some power
plant operators may need to be licensed. Technical colleges offer programs in
power plant technology that provide practical experience and may meet job
requirements. Operators who work for nuclear power plants need a bachelor's
degree in engineering or experience working with a licensed nuclear power plant
operator.
Salary
and Employment Outlook
The BLS expected power plant
operators to see an eight percent decline in employment from 2012 to 2022. The
median salary, as of May 2012, was $66,130.
Technicians
and Oilfield Workers
The wind power industry is still
developing in the United States so required education and training are not
uniform. The BLS reports that community colleges and technical schools now
offer certificates and associate's degrees in wind turbine maintenance. Energy
technicians in all fields need a minimum of an associate's degree or
specialized training. Oilfield workers must be at least 18 years old and
physically strong but they don't necessarily need a high school diploma.
Salary
and Employment Outlook
The BLS doesn't have employment
outlook predictions for wind turbine service technicians; however, it reported
their median salary as $45,970 in May 2012. Oil and gas roustabouts earned a
median of $34,130 as of May 2012.
No comments:
Post a Comment