What to Expect

Students working towards an oil and gas engineering degree learn to use sophisticated technology to obtain some our most important energy resources.

Jennifer Jumonville took the program at Texas A and M University. She earned valuable experience towards her career by interning in the oil industry for three summers. Once, she interned with Conoco Inc. in Lafayette, Louisiana, as a member of the deepwater drillship team. She spent time on the ship during critical drilling operations.

A few years ago, she performed operator duties while working offshore. She learned the roles of oilfield operators and assisted engineers while developing teamwork skills. She also observed wire-line operations, logging runs and daily platform operations.

Jumonville's classes included drilling, well completion and stimulation, reservoir integration and electrical engineering.

Her favorite part of the program was the people she met. "The petroleum engineering department is relatively small and this gives the students the opportunity to really get to know one another," she says.

On average, she spent about two to five hours a day doing homework. "It is important to use your university's resources and work in a team atmosphere whenever possible," she says.

Chance Jackson worked in the oil and petroleum industry for five years before enrolling at Texas A and M University for formal study. "This program is becoming more and more oriented around a computer and various types of software," he says.

"One should get as familiar as possible with computers and how to run them, as your job will center around them."

How to Prepare

Jumonville encourages students to get to know the professors. "Take advantage of the extra time that your professor is willing to give by visiting his office hours, attending his work sessions and taking advantage of supplemental instruction sessions that are offered," she says.

It also helps to get involved in the student chapter of the Society of Petroleum Engineers. This organization offers field trips and expositions sponsored by industry personnel. "Meet as many people in the industry as possible because they are the ones who will hire you someday," says Jackson.