Personal, Professional, and College Profiles

For many people, finding a career that suits them is difficult and frustrating. Many college students end up switching majors multiple times in search of that one career that is a perfect match. These students envy those that seem to have it all figured out, knowing exactly what they want to do with their life. Discovering the right career can take time and effort but is a gratifying experience when found. When looking for a career, money may be considered, but it is more important to focus on personality traits, skills, interests, and values. Like those without much direction, I have been unsure about what career would be right for me. I believe petroleum engineering is a suitable career that I will appreciate and in which I will find enjoyment. I feel the challenges faced daily doing interesting and complex problems combined with substantial financial gains will go a long way in providing a fulfilling working experience.   

 

Personal Profile

My results of the MyPlan personality test were ISTJ, meaning I am introverted, a sensor, thinker, and judger. I matched with the likes of George Washington, Augustus Caesar, and Sir Christopher Lee (Famous ISTJs). I scored one hundred percent as introverted and thinker. My results as a sensor were also high at ninety-three percent, while my judging and perceiving scores were more even, in favor of judging at sixty percent. My highest skills were reading comprehension, mathematics, science, writing, active learning, monitoring, and critical thinking. These results matched me highest with engineering and architecture, computers and mathematics, the sciences, and healthcare. My interests came back as primarily investigative followed by conventional. Together these categories describe me as patient, organized, practical, dependable, and analytical, valuing science, knowledge, and efficiency. Combining these results into a composite score, I would be proficient in mathematically and statistically based careers, many engineering specializations, and some computer based careers.

 

I would like to adhere to the results of the My Plan tests and pursue a career in petroleum engineering. Although I do not have any experience so far doing this kind of work, I do possess a number of the basic skills required for this career: math proficiency, problem solving abilities, and analytical skills (Petroleum). I also chose this career because it matched well with my personality at about ninety-three percent. My interest match based on my general interests was also high at eighty-five percent, meaning I would likely find enjoyment working in this career. Lastly, my composite score, which combines these values, was seventy-seven percent, close to my highest match of eighty-one percent.

 

Professional Profile

Becoming a petroleum engineer is a simple but challenging process. The career requires a four-year college degree (Petroleum). One does not necessarily need to get a degree in petroleum engineering in order to pursue this career. It is also possible to get a degree in the broader chemical engineering field, or even mechanical engineering, and still pursue a career in petroleum engineering (Petroleum). Texas A&M, the University of Oklahoma, the University of Wyoming, and the University of Alaska are all strong schools to attend for petroleum engineering (Gandel). It is recommended that those interested in this career start early, taking higher level courses such as physics, biology, calculus, and chemistry (Petroleum). Doing so will form a concrete foundation for those set on a career in petroleum engineering.

 

Petroleum engineers perform a variety of tasks. Some design drilling and extraction equipment while others develop other methods using chemicals and water (Petroleum). Drilling engineers oversee drilling operations and work to ensure they are done safely and efficiently (Taylor, Allan, Parish). Production engineers, on the other hand, develop the most efficient ways of producing oil and gas (Taylor et. al). In general, petroleum engineers create more efficient methods of extracting and producing oil and gas (Petroleum). They spend the majority of their time working full-time, fifty to sixty hour work weeks, in offices or laboratories, but may also spend long stretches of time at refineries and other drilling sites (Petroleum). These long work weeks and demanding rotations when on location at drilling sites are perhaps the biggest negative of petroleum engineering. Because oil cannot be found everywhere, careers in petroleum engineering are limited to certain locations in the United States (Occupational). States such as Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma all have high employment of petroleum engineers, while Ohio only has about 330 petroleum engineers (Occupational). A variety of different companies such as ExxonMobil, Shell, and Chevron provide employment for petroleum engineers (Entry Level).

 

Petroleum engineers need to possess a variety of different skills in order to be successful. The ability to work independently as well as cooperatively with strong communication skills is needed (Taylor et. al). Analytical and problem solving skills are important to be able to deduce issues that may arise beforehand to avoid them, as well as be able to resolve those that do surface (Petroleum). A strong foundation in mathematics is useful for analysis and problem solving (Petroleum). Creativity and a high level of focus on details is a necessity in the development of new methods of extraction and production (Taylor et. al, Petroleum).

 

The economic benefits of petroleum engineering is one of the major advantages of the career. Petroleum engineering has an average starting salary of over $100,000 per year (Gandel). The median salary for all petroleum engineers rises to a comfortable $130,280 per year as of 2012 (Petroleum). This large figure translates to an approximate hourly wage of $62.64 (Petroleum).  The lowest ten percent of petroleum engineers were paid below $75,030 meaning this is approximately the lowest one could expect to make in this career (Petroleum). Conversely, the highest one could expect to make would be similar to the salary of the top ten percent of petroleum engineers who earned over $187,200 with drilling engineers earning a median pay of $212,123 (Petroleum). Salaries may change based on oil prices, increasing with rising oil prices and remaining stagnant with lower prices (Taylor et. al).

 

College Profile: Case Western Reserve University

Case Western Reserve University has a unique history that sets itself apart from many others. The school was formed as the combination of two previously independent universities, Western Reserve University and Case School of Applied Science (Our History). Western Reserve University was founded in 1826 while the Case School of Applied Science was established later in 1880 with funds from Leonard Case Jr., four months after he died (Our History). It was not until decades later that the two universities would officially unite as one. In 1967, Western Reserve University combined with the Case Technical School of Applied Science to form Case Western Reserve University (Our History).

 

Today, Case is a Cleveland based co-ed university (CWRU; Freshmen). The university is located at 10900 Euclid Avenue and can be reached at the phone number 216-368-2000 (CWRU). The school is surrounded by a variety of different activities for the students to experience. Cleveland is home to a number of professional and minor league sports teams in hockey, football, basketball, and baseball (Where is Case). The Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame is another potential attraction for those who enjoy this type of music (Where is Case). For those more interested in nature and outdoor activities, the Cleveland Metroparks are a great option (Where is Case). Playhouse Square and a multitude of museums can provide entertainment for others (Where is Case). Lastly, Cleveland is home to a number of good restaurants as well as the West Side Market and Little Italy, offering a variety of dining options (Where is Case). The school also has a number of extracurricular activities such as sports and student organizations (Campus Life).

 

Case has several requirements and deadlines for different courses of action. The school requires the use of the common application, a high school transcript, a school report, the student’s scores for the SAT or ACT taken with writing submitted directly, and two letters of recommendation (Undergraduate Admission: Application). The average SAT score for freshmen students in 2014 was 2030 out of 2400, and the average ACT composite score was 31 out of 36 (Freshmen). The school has two opportunities for early decision and one for early action (Undergraduate Admission: Application). The deadline for the first early decision and early action are both November 1st, while the deadline to apply for the second early decision is January 15th (Undergraduate Admission: Application). The deadline to apply for regular decision is also January 15th (Undergraduate Admission: Application). Case currently has around five thousand undergraduate students and six thousand graduate and professional students enrolled (CWRU). These students have a number of opportunities through grants and scholarships to pay for the high tuition costs of the university. Tuition, room and board for residential students is $62,020, while tuition and other expenses for commuter students is $51,640 (Undergraduate Admission: Undergraduate).

 

While petroleum engineering is not currently offered at the school, the university remains viable for a career in this field because it offers both chemical and mechanical engineering (Undergraduate Admissions: Programs). Case is a highly regarded university, potentially benefitting graduates seeking a petroleum engineering career without a degree specifically in petroleum engineering. The school is ranked thirty-seventh of all universities in the nation, as well as first in Ohio based on the U.S. News & World Report, 2016 (Rankings). Its engineering program is also highly acclaimed and can provide strong training for students.

 

College Profile: Marietta College

Marietta College is another academic option for petroleum engineering. The school offers an actual petroleum engineering degree (Undergraduate Degrees). Marietta College first began as Muskingum Academy in 1797 and was officially established as Marietta College later in 1835 after receiving a charter from the state of Ohio (Year to Remember). The college is located in Marietta, Ohio at 215 Fifth Street (Marietta College). The institution can be contacted through the phone number 1-800-331-7896 (Marietta College). It is private, co-ed with no religious affiliation and has about about thirteen hundred students currently enrolled (Marietta College).

 

Marietta has standard admissions requirements that would match up with most other schools. Applicants are required to write an essay, submit transcripts and SAT or ACT scores, and have a teacher complete an evaluation form (How to Apply). The average SAT score of students is 1100 with twenty-seven and a half percent of all students being in the top ten percent of their graduating class (Marietta College). The university operates on rolling admission, meaning there are no deadlines, and students find out relatively quickly if they are accepted or not (Marietta College). Students will pay on average $45,445 for tuition, room and board, with the majority of these students receiving aid from grants and scholarships (Cost of Attendance).

 

Marietta College offers some city attractions and extracurricular activities. There are a number of parks, restaurants, and museums within the city (Visit Us). Students can participate in a variety of different organizations. The college has both intramural and competitive sports, sororities and fraternities, political clubs, religious groups, and more (Student Organizations). The school has four hundred student athletes participating on eighteen different teams (Marietta College). A student run organization known as the Pioneer Activities Council plans a number of events on campus such as concerts and Family Weekend (Pioneer Activities). Whether it is Marietta College, Case Western Reserve University, or another university, a variety of options exist to receive the proper preparation for those interested in petroleum engineering.

   

Like many others unsure of their future, I did not know which career would be the right choice for me. After taking the MyPlan personality, interests, skills, and values tests, I saw that I matched well with a career I was already interested in. The results and subsequent research showed petroleum engineering to be a viable option for me. Now, petroleum engineering sits above others because of its interesting subject matter and focus on complex issues, my apparent aptitude based on math and science proficiency, generally stable employment, and high pay. Pursuing this career allows students such as myself to continue their academic careers and personal development at a variety of schools. Petroleum engineering remains intriguing to me, and I have confidence that this is a career in which I can find success and satisfaction.