A Career in Oil and Natural Gas--Unprecedented Opportunity
Jane Van Ryan
Posted July 30, 2009
Thinking about a career in the oil and natural gas industry? The summer 2009 Salary Survey report from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) shows that petroleum engineers are pulling in the highest starting salaries.
Why? Increasing demand for energy and current employees nearing retirement has created unprecedented opportunity. One out of four current engineers, geoscientists, multi-skilled maintenance professionals, process and production operators, and health and safety professionals in the oil and natural gas industry are eligible for retirement this year.
The oil and natural gas industry needs these skilled professionals to meet America's demand for energy. In fact--according to NACE's report--"out of the more than 1,524,000 bachelor's degrees awarded in 2007, just 450 were in petroleum engineering."
For more information, listen to an NPR segment about the report.