US versus UK MS in Petroleum Engineering
US versus UK MS in Petroleum Engineering
(OP)
Hi, I am new to this site and was hoping to get some career advice. I'm a Civil Eng in the UK (originally from Ireland) but I want to move into the petroleum industry, specifically drilling. My wife is from the US and we are hoping to move over there in 2013 or 2014 at the latest. Since we come and go from the states quiet a bit I have gotten to know a few american civil engineers working mainly in utilities (like me). What I have learned from these colleagues is that the overarching attitude of US engineering companies when it comes to foreign educated civil engineers seems to be quiet negative. I understand that the economy is pretty tight right now but I did some work (for a dutch company) with the US Army Core in New Orleans back when things were good economy wise and the general attitude seemed to be the same
My question is basically: Is there a similar attitude to foreign educated Petroleum Engineers, i.e. should I wait until we move to the US to do an MS in Petroleum Engineering? Does having a UK MS put you at a disadvantage with large US companies?
Thanks for reading, any assistance would be welcomed.
My question is basically: Is there a similar attitude to foreign educated Petroleum Engineers, i.e. should I wait until we move to the US to do an MS in Petroleum Engineering? Does having a UK MS put you at a disadvantage with large US companies?
Thanks for reading, any assistance would be welcomed.





RE: US versus UK MS in Petroleum Engineering
Other than that, my honest opinion is that the US attitude is much the same as many developed countries, in that locally grown products are typically perceived as superior. In country "X", which shall go unnamed, I know they would rather hire a local high school graduate than a PHD from a country only 200 km away. I say country X, with the idea that, again in my experience, the name of almost any European country could be freely substituted, so its not too important which particular country I had in mind. In fact, you may find less predispositon towards foreigners in the US than what I (you) find in the general EU. Between some employer attitudes and work visa restrictions its not very easy to get past licking a postage stamp. One thing about the US is, if they have work and they think they can make a buck with you there, you've pretty much got at least a miniscule job opportunity. Its not true so often here where locals ALWAYS have and manage to get preference in everything except being issued traffic tickets.
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"Pumping accounts for 20% of the world's energy used by electric motors and 25-50% of the total electrical energy usage in certain industrial facilities."-DOE statistic (Note: Make that 99% for pipeline companies) http://virtualpipeline.spaces.live.com/
RE: US versus UK MS in Petroleum Engineering
I would think a US PE degree would prepare you better for the assets you would work in the US and vice a versa for the UK degree.
RE: US versus UK MS in Petroleum Engineering
Folks,
Thanks for the advice. I do conceed that a US PE degree would prepare me better for the PE industry in the states. I was looking at possibly Colorado School of Mines or Penn State, any advice bearing in mind I want to focus on Drilling? I understand that competition is high at these schools, do you know if there is anythign in particular graduate admissions look for?
Also, is there particular schools that the major oil and gas companies like to hire from.
Thanks again
RE: US versus UK MS in Petroleum Engineering
http:/
You can't go wrong with that one!
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"Pumping accounts for 20% of the world's energy used by electric motors and 25-50% of the total electrical energy usage in certain industrial facilities."-DOE statistic (Note: Make that 99% for pipeline companies) http://virtualpipeline.spaces.live.com/
RE: US versus UK MS in Petroleum Engineering
RE: US versus UK MS in Petroleum Engineering