The petroleum industry is an important part of the modern economy, as it assists in the distribution of products such as crude oil and gasoline on a global scale. In this large area of commerce, many different occupations play a role. Job opportunities in the petroleum industry are divided into several major specialties, each with its own set of educational requirements and job responsibilities. Workers in the field as laborers or equipment operators are employed in a large number of petroleum jobs. Engineers and technicians are also important in this field, and geoscientists can provide useful information.
The petroleum industry employs a large number of field workers. Workers in this field work directly with drilling equipment, such as oil derricks on land and offshore drilling platforms. Laborers can find a variety of entry-level jobs in this field. Employees in the field must be physically fit and willing to work outside in a variety of weather conditions. Many oil companies provide direct on-the-job training for workers, and a high school diploma is often the minimum requirement for these types of petroleum industry jobs.
Operators of petroleum equipment also work in the field, but they typically have more experience with complex machinery. Some operators are in charge of supervising other employees, and some employees are promoted to this position after receiving field laborer training. Many of the skills required of operational employees can be learned directly through on-the-job training. Although many equipment operators enter the petroleum industry after attending college or a trade school, a high school diploma is usually the only educational requirement.
Engineers and technicians, on average, have a higher level of education than field workers. Many petroleum engineers work on the development and testing of new petroleum extraction equipment, while technicians handle maintenance and inspection. Employees in this category work in both the field and the office. Engineering and technician jobs in the petroleum industry typically require a four-year college degree. Some employees start out as technicians and work their way up to engineering positions after earning a higher education.
Geoscientists are in charge of locating profitable drilling locations. These professionals work primarily with information and raw data that must be carefully analyzed. Geoscientists use sensitive instruments and mathematical calculations to predict the location of petroleum reserves. Jobs in the scientific petroleum industry typically require a master’s degree. While oil industry scientists travel to field locations to take measurements, this work is not as physically demanding as many other petroleum jobs.