Petroleum Engineers
Devise methods to improve oil and gas extraction and production and determine the need for new or modified tool designs. Oversee drilling and offer technical advice.
At a Glance
Petroleum Engineers earns a median of $141,280/yr with +1.3% projected growth. Typical entry: Bachelor's degree. Top skills: Attention to Detail, Dependability, Analyzing Data or Information.
$141,280/yr
+1.3%
1
Bachelor's degree
Skills & Requirements
Skills (16)
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Knowledge (6)
Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Abilities (16)
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
Technology (21)
Work Activities (25)
Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Work Styles (4)
A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related obligations.
A tendency to be careful, deliberate, and risk-avoidant when making work-related decisions or doing work.
Careers with Overlapping Skills
These occupations share the most skills. A career transition between them means many of your skills transfer directly.
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Information Technology Project Managers
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Software Developers
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Computer Systems Analysts
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Computer Systems Engineers/Architects
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Business Intelligence Analysts
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Computer User Support Specialists
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Management Analysts
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