Engineering Opportunities in Oil and Gas: Securing Your Future in a Changing Sector
The world of engineering has been undergoing some big shifts in the last 20 years. In fact, in relation to being an engineer in both the gas and oil sectors, this is a field that seems to be being upgraded every day with new tech and ideas.
So, if you are looking to break into this sector as an engineer in the oil or gas industries, or you are looking to prolong your working life in these areas, you may be up against some tough economic, social, and technological walls. This can make the idea of abandoning your job prospects as an engineer seem even more appealing.
Luckily, there are some ways to secure yourself in this line of work and this article seeks to provide you with some tips. So, enjoy!
Why is Being an Engineer in Oil and Gas Changing?
There is a myriad of reasons as to why the field of oil and gas has been changing over the last ten years. The main one is related to carbon capture and more businesses and entities wanting to rely on renewable or green energies.
Another big area is the use of robotics and artificial intelligence. These technologies make drilling for oil and gas easier and more affordable, which can leave many engineers in these fields doing less of the leg work, and thus having less impact.
So, with that brief overview, how can you secure your future in this area?
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Look Into Education
As part of your professional development, you should be engaging in continuous learning. It is always wise in general to stay abreast of developments in any area that you work, but you should be looking into enrolling in courses that will help you to understand and even use the technologies, such as artificial intelligence. This will help to broaden your expertise but will also show that you are dedicated to your professional growth in this area. Plus, it will look really good should you apply for a job on a platform like https://www.orionjobs.com/.
Get Your Networking Hat On!
You should also be looking to build a robust professional network within the oil and gas industry as well. You can do this via platforms like LinkedIn, but you should also be aiming to join professional associations, as well as attending industry conferences to help get your face known. Such networking will lead to more opportunities and partnerships and, if you are in the market for a job, potentially job offers too, which is always good!
Diversify Your Skill Set
You should also be looking to diversify your skill set. Of course, in an area such as engineering in the gas and oil industry, there is a place for specialised knowledge, but you need to make sure that you are adaptable to a wide range of roles. Therefore, it can be worth investing in your project management training and skills, as well as data analysis, all of which are valuable and transferrable.
Stay Up To Date
You can stay up to date with industry news and trends by subscribing to publications within this area, as well as following industry leaders on social media and professional platforms. You could even investigate participating in webinars as well as upcoming professional events. This will help you be an informed professional and will assist you in anticipating changes in this area and adapting your expertise accordingly.