Petroleum Engineering

[cajunhawk]

A) The program is modestly hard. Honestly, if you stay on top of homework and projects and studying a little bit every night, it's not bad at all. And there are no requirements to get in last I remembered. But you might want to make sure your math and science pre-reqs are covered before you start (you can talk to the Petro Eng department head Dr. Fathi Boukadi about that, he's one of the nicest men you'll EVER meet)

B) Internships are not plentiful. You really have to shmooze around and meet the correct people to jump on an internship. Be involved, because the more you meet-n-greet these big wigs, the better your chances of attaining one.

C) Not really that hard. Service company (MWD/Fracking/Completions/Cementing/etc.) are always looking to fill positions. Operator companies are a lot harder. Lot of requirements have to be met but it can be done. Internships always make it easier.


You also asked about atmosphere/campus life. I'll tell you this, you will have a BLAST here. Athletics are outstanding, Campus construction is booming, the nightlife is electric, Greek Life (Frat/Sorority) is memorable.

O and yeh, the women are absolute Earth, Wind, and Fire flames scorching hot.

Anything else you need me to convince you about? lol

That's it...I'm going back to school.

[Cajun_RH]

A) The program is modestly hard. Honestly, if you stay on top of homework and projects and studying a little bit every night, it's not bad at all. And there are no requirements to get in last I remembered. But you might want to make sure your math and science pre-reqs are covered before you start (you can talk to the Petro Eng department head Dr. Fathi Boukadi about that, he's one of the nicest men you'll EVER meet)

B) Internships are not plentiful. You really have to shmooze around and meet the correct people to jump on an internship. Be involved, because the more you meet-n-greet these big wigs, the better your chances of attaining one.

C) Not really that hard. Service company (MWD/Fracking/Completions/Cementing/etc.) are always looking to fill positions. Operator companies are a lot harder. Lot of requirements have to be met but it can be done. Internships always make it easier.


You also asked about atmosphere/campus life. I'll tell you this, you will have a BLAST here. Athletics are outstanding, Campus construction is booming, the nightlife is electric, Greek Life (Frat/Sorority) is memorable.

O and yeh, the women are absolute Earth, Wind, and Fire flames scorching hot.

Anything else you need me to convince you about? lol

The food around here is pretty good too!

[cajun4life]

Im not a petro, i am graduating in EE this semester
But from what i hear petro is the easiest of all the engineering

Burn!

[cajun4life]

Pays the best too.

Better Burn!

[CajunFan3406]

How's your ACT math score? Always helps to have a high one as it allows you to start with Calculus 1 instead of the lower 100 level maths. Starting with Calc 1 in your first semester really helps in keeping you on track to graduate in 4 years. I think all of the engineering degree tracks have you through Calc 1 and 2 after year 1 as those classes are prereqs for a lot of your engineering and physics classes.

Never experienced on campus living but lived about 4 blocks away during my time at UL. So I guess you could call it near campus living. There is always an abundance of things to do. Finding a place to live around campus isn't too hard. Lots of apartments and rent house in the neighborhoods surrounding UL.

Can't speak much for the petroleum engineering program as I'm not involved in that field (I'm a EE), but I can give you a good breakdown on almost anything else UL or Lafayette if you'd like.

[Cajun_in_NM]

Hey y'all,

I have some questions about the Petroleum Engineering program @ UL. I'm thinking about joining UL this fall and I've always been interested in this since I was a kid (even though back then I didn't have any idea what it was) because many of my Father's friends were petroleum engineers for shell, exxon-mobil, etc...

They all said it is hard work and they constantly have to travel.

A) How hard is the program?
B) How hard is it to get an internship?
C) How hard is it to get a job after finishing the course?

You will be in good hands, if you go into PETE. It has done me a great service and I would strongly advise you to attend UL.

A) The program is operations/drilling based. There are 22 total schools in the US that have PETE, and 4 of them are operations/drilling based - UL is one of them. The others are West Virginia, Oklahoma, & Houston. If you want more computer/theory basis (reservoir based) then you would look at TAMU, UT, LSU, Colorado School of Mines, etc. All of these are difficult, in their own right, but it is dependent on the person and his/her skill set. I am an operations geared person, and UL wasn't too hard, yet challenged me. It allowed me to easily find work and excel at it after graduation. If you can work on an engine and like to build broke stuff without paying someone, go to UL/operations/drilling. If you love theory and lab variants, go to one of the reservoir schools mentioned. Here's the good thing about UL, small student numbers (compared to others) and makes the student-prof relationship more valuable and intimate.

B) Internships aren't hard to get, as long as you get in with Career Services during week one. They will get you in touch with everyone you need to be and will let you know when career fairs are going on. Now, be advised that even interns are culled out by their past work experience. So, if you can go anywhere industrial, ANYWHERE, then do so your first summer you can. This will give you a leg up on your resume and will help you stand out as someone who understands industry and also is willing to work/learn. Working at the Exxon chem plant in Baton Rouge my freshman summer helped me get on with Baker Hughes.

C) Once you graduate, I have no doubts that you will have 2-5 job offers from various employers. Most may be from service industry companies, but all will be valuable and well paid. Chevron is known to hire many UL grads, but you have to be the top of your class to get this consideration.

Here's my final thought. Have fun. Do your work and projects first, then go blow off steam that night (can normally finish all your stuff by 7ish every night). Make sure you love it! If you don't love the industry, you'll be a slave to money and will go home hating it every night - it is highly demanding. Keep a 3.0+ GPA, and after that, jobs & money will come to you. Hope this helps you. Good luck and God bless.

[Chicago24]

A) The program is modestly hard. Honestly, if you stay on top of homework and projects and studying a little bit every night, it's not bad at all. And there are no requirements to get in last I remembered. But you might want to make sure your math and science pre-reqs are covered before you start (you can talk to the Petro Eng department head Dr. Fathi Boukadi about that, he's one of the nicest men you'll EVER meet)

How hard was freshman year? How are the classes and the sort, like what time do they start & how many classes a week do you have? How are the professors, are they helpful?

Sorry for all the questions! I went overseas (studied in UAE) at med school this last year (parents forced me) & really did not enjoy med school.... I wanted to be a petroleum engineer. At that med school, I had classes Monday - Saturday 8am to 6pm and couldn't use any electronic devices nor leave the campus.

Not really that hard. Service company (MWD/Fracking/Completions/Cementing/etc.) are always looking to fill positions. Operator companies are a lot harder. Lot of requirements have to be met but it can be done. Internships always make it easier.

If you don't mind me asking, how much is the starting salary? I am going to need loans for the tuition, dorm, and meal plans because my parents will not support me in any matter.

Anything else you need me to convince you about? lol

My father and mother absolutely do not want me to go into this field. They said to me that oil will soon end and that my life expectancy will be lower working this field. Every time I bring it up to my mother, she starts crying and making a huge fuss about it. They want me to become doctors.

How's your ACT math score? Always helps to have a high one as it allows you to start with Calculus 1 instead of the lower 100 level maths. Starting with Calc 1 in your first semester really helps in keeping you on track to graduate in 4 years. I think all of the engineering degree tracks have you through Calc 1 and 2 after year 1 as those classes are prereqs for a lot of your engineering and physics classes.

ACT math score is 28.

Can't speak much for the petroleum engineering program as I'm not involved in that field (I'm a EE), but I can give you a good breakdown on almost anything else UL or Lafayette if you'd like.

How is the local people to out of state kids (I'm from Chicago)? Do you have classes on Saturdays?

A). If you can work on an engine and like to build broke stuff without paying someone, go to UL/operations/drilling. If you love theory and lab variants, go to one of the reservoir schools mentioned. Here's the good thing about UL, small student numbers (compared to others) and makes the student-prof relationship more valuable and intimate.

I think UL is the right school for me because I don't really love the theory & lab variants.

B) Internships aren't hard to get, as long as you get in with Career Services during week one. They will get you in touch with everyone you need to be and will let you know when career fairs are going on. Now, be advised that even interns are culled out by their past work experience. So, if you can go anywhere industrial, ANYWHERE, then do so your first summer you can. This will give you a leg up on your resume and will help you stand out as someone who understands industry and also is willing to work/learn. Working at the Exxon chem plant in Baton Rouge my freshman summer helped me get on with Baker Hughes.

If you don't mind me asking, how was your GPA the first year?

C) Once you graduate, I have no doubts that you will have 2-5 job offers from various employers. Most may be from service industry companies, but all will be valuable and well paid. Chevron is known to hire many UL grads, but you have to be the top of your class to get this consideration.

I really would love to work for Chevron or Marathon, what type of GPA do you need to work with them?

Here's my final thought. Have fun. Do your work and projects first, then go blow off steam that night (can normally finish all your stuff by 7ish every night). Make sure you love it! If you don't love the industry, you'll be a slave to money and will go home hating it every night - it is highly demanding. Keep a 3.0+ GPA, and after that, jobs & money will come to you. Hope this helps you. Good luck and God bless.

Is it really hard to get a 3.0 GPA?

[Cajunsmike]

How hard was freshman year? How are the classes and the sort, like what time do they start & how many classes a week do you have? How are the professors, are they helpful?

Sorry for all the questions! I went overseas (studied in UAE) at med school this last year (parents forced me) & really did not enjoy med school.... I wanted to be a petroleum engineer. At that med school, I had classes Monday - Saturday 8am to 6pm and couldn't use any electronic devices nor leave the campus.


If you don't mind me asking, how much is the starting salary? I am going to need loans for the tuition, dorm, and meal plans because my parents will not support me in any matter.


My father and mother absolutely do not want me to go into this field. They said to me that oil will soon end and that my life expectancy will be lower working this field. Every time I bring it up to my mother, she starts crying and making a huge fuss about it. They want me to become doctors.



ACT math score is 28.


How is the local people to out of state kids (I'm from Chicago)? Do you have classes on Saturdays?


I think UL is the right school for me because I don't really love the theory & lab variants.


If you don't mind me asking, how was your GPA the first year?


I really would love to work for Chevron or Marathon, what type of GPA do you need to work with them?


Is it really hard to get a 3.0 GPA?

Chevron requires a 3.0 to get an interview. That does not mean you will obtain an interview. That just means you get on the list to be considered. Other things are then considered to determine who gets one of only a few interview slots. Historically about 30% of folks interviewed get offers. Get an internship with one of the service companies and do well there. That will increase your odds of being selected for an interview from a major producing company. On another matter, tell your parents that the focus of most folks in the industry today is safety. At my company, every single meeting starts with a "safety" moment. On site, a job safety assessment is performed prior to work beginning. Accidents happen of course but to a much lesser degree than in the past. Often when they do it is because the safety focus becomes too routine for some. As far as the idea, we are running out of oil goes, that does not take into account how technology keeps opening new resources to us in an economical fashion. There are major projects planned all over the world to bring these resources to market. Also, natural gas will also be a larger portion of the energy equation going forward. How do you acquire natural gas. Lo and behold you have to get it the same way you get oil, by drilling for it.

[cajun4life]

If you don't mind me asking, how much is the starting salary? I am going to need loans for the tuition, dorm, and meal plans because my parents will not support me in any matter.

Any degree'd engineer in the oil field with a strong work ethic will make more than enough money to pay back any student loans that you may stack up. There is a lot of money to be made in the oilfield if you are willing to do the work.

I have been working for a "major" service company for only two years and will top 6 figures. It is not MD type money but more than I ever imagined I would make when I was in college. I will be stepping away from that career field in the near future to pursue something else but it is not a "not enough" money issue.

Things can always change in the industry, but from everything I have seen we will remain busy for the foreseeable future.

[CajunFan3406]

ACT math score is 28.


How is the local people to out of state kids (I'm from Chicago)? Do you have classes on Saturdays?

Well you're in luck with that 28. If you have a 28 or over and at least 8 weeks of Trig in high school then you can register for Calc 1 in your first semester.

I would also look into trying to take some advanced credit tests that the university offers. I got out of having to take one English class and a Biology class because of this testing. I would suggest talking to someone from the university about these tests.

No classes on Saturdays during the semesters or the traditional summer school period, unless you're taking some type of short intersession between semesters. I suggest avoiding intersession classes if you can.

And you will have no trouble fitting in here. Locals won't give you a hard time. Just don't make a habit of shuttering yourself off in your dorm or apartment. Get out and explore. Make friends with your classmates and go out and do things with them. If you do that, you will have your own little group of friends in no time.

[Chicago24]

Any degree'd engineer in the oil field with a strong work ethic will make more than enough money to pay back any student loans that you may stack up. There is a lot of money to be made in the oilfield if you are willing to do the work.

I have been working for a "major" service company for only two years and will top 6 figures. It is not MD type money but more than I ever imagined I would make when I was in college. I will be stepping away from that career field in the near future to pursue something else but it is not a "not enough" money issue.

Things can always change in the industry, but from everything I have seen we will remain busy for the foreseeable future.

My parents want me to be a doctor. I don't want to be a doctor. I want to be a petroleum engineer and my mom even said she feels like dying if I don't go back overseas to med school.

Well you're in luck with that 28. If you have a 28 or over and at least 8 weeks of Trig in high school then you can register for Calc 1 in your first semester.

I would also look into trying to take some advanced credit tests that the university offers. I got out of having to take one English class and a Biology class because of this testing. I would suggest talking to someone from the university about these tests.

No classes on Saturdays during the semesters or the traditional summer school period, unless you're taking some type of short intersession between semesters. I suggest avoiding intersession classes if you can.

And you will have no trouble fitting in here. Locals won't give you a hard time. Just don't make a habit of shuttering yourself off in your dorm or apartment. Get out and explore. Make friends with your classmates and go out and do things with them. If you do that, you will have your own little group of friends in no time.

Yeah I took AP English & AP Biology last year. Are the math classes really difficult? I'm okay at math.

[Cajun_in_NM]

I think UL is the right school for me because I don't really love the theory & lab variants.

If you don't mind me asking, how was your GPA the first year?

I really would love to work for Chevron or Marathon, what type of GPA do you need to work with them?

Is it really hard to get a 3.0 GPA?

If the lab and theory thing is not your cup of tea, then look at UL or the other 3 schools I mentioned. Don't worry too much about cost of education, as if you are 3.2+ GPA, you have a higher than average shot at getting an AADE, SPE, or Foundation scholarship. Each of these are $1,000+ per semester and have terms of 1 year (2 semesters). Generally, getting them a second time and so forth is easier than the first time.

For myself, my first year's GPA was 3.9. Now, a lot of that is because of the general classes that we are required to take those first 2 years (English, Calculus, Engineering 101, etc). The thing about GPA your first two years is this, buckle down and try. If you don't get caught up in the club/bar scene too much, you'll make it...but you have to be willing to put in the time/effort to make the grades. The curricula isn't too hard, but is demanding and time consuming.

As was stated before, to work for most major oil companies, you must have a 3.0+ GPA to be considered. Some require 3.5+. Most service companies require 2.5+, but the higher your GPA, the better the opportunity and the higher/more stable the company you interview with (i.e. more money).

Here's the good news about getting a 3.0 GPA. If you can show the work ethic and ability to be 3.0+ in your first two years, it gets easier at the end. Your Junior and Senior years are much "easier" since you will spend 80%+ in PETE classes (you'll be done with most general classes). If you are a hands on person or more apt to understand operations, then drilling, production, and geology classes should be no problem. Reservoir may post some challenges, but the labs help bring those to life.

Here's my advice on understanding PETE and how to succeed in the major, GIVE ALL OF YOUR ABILITY TO LEARNING EVERYTHING YOU CAN IN PETE 391 (PHASE BEHAVIOR)! This is the class that first showed me what all of this looks like when not on a drilling rig. The book that is used for this class is in every petroleum engineer's office. If you want to really know what it's all about, learn what you can from this book: http://www.amazon.com/Properties-Pet...troleum+fluids

Hope this helps!