We surveyed 501 petroleum engineers to better understand the work environment and required skills of a typical petroleum engineer. Here are the results.
How much intelligence is required as a petroleum engineer?
Low
High
Working as a petroleum engineer typically requires higher levels of intelligence when compared with the average career. This means that petroleum engineers are required to actively learn new things related to their discipline and solve complex problems.
Can I learn to become a petroleum engineer?
Intrinsic Talent
Acquired Talent
A career as a petroleum engineer typically depends predominantly on qualities you’re born with, with a small aspect of skills you can learn.
Is it easy to get a job as a petroleum engineer?
Easy
Hard
It’s typically difficult to find a job as a petroleum engineer. If you’re curious about the numbers, check out the job market for petroleum engineers.
Do petroleum engineers work full-time or part-time?
95% of petroleum engineers work in full-time roles while 5% work part-time.
Is being a petroleum engineer stressful?
Low
High
Stress is not uncommon amongst petroleum engineers, with daily work sometimes being quite demanding.
Is being organized important as a petroleum engineer?
Low
High
Organization is not considered a particuarly important part of being a petroleum engineer.
How competitive is the workplace for petroleum engineers?
Low
High
Petroleum engineers see mild competition in their workplace.
Does being a petroleum engineer require frequent time pressure to complete tasks?
Low
High
Petroleum engineers will have to sometimes face time pressure on the job.
Are petroleum engineers allowed to express themselves creatively?
Low
High
Petroleum engineers are afforded a certain level of ability to express themselves creatively, compared to other careers.
Do petroleum engineers have control over the direction of their work?
Low
High
Petroleum engineers tend to have a set and inflexible work schedule that they are unable to deviate from too much.
Is being a petroleum engineer physically demanding?
Low
High
Work as a petroleum engineers is not the most physically demanding of careers, falling in the bottom half of all careers.
Are petroleum engineers exposed to a wide variety of work?
Low
High
Petroleum engineers tend to have a monotonous work routine, with little variety in their day-to-day tasks.
Does being a petroleum engineer require attention to detail?
Low
High
Attention to detail isn't necessarily required to be successful as a petroleum engineer.
Does being a good petroleum engineer require compassion and empathy?
Low
High
The ability to be compassion and empathetic isn't considered fundamental to success as a petroleum engineer.