Questions & Answers on Oil & Gas Career (iv)

Good day sir, I got your contact via Nairaland. I’m a student of the University of Benin studying Industrial Mathematics. I would like to know how my course of study is of relevance to the oil and gas sector. Also I have a plan to venture into networking by getting certificates such as CCNA and MCITP then again is there any relevance with these in the sector.

Regards

There is hardly any course that is not relevant, only that some are more relevant. For some openings, the employers are generic about the course of study requirement, e.g Sciences. Also, go ahead with your networking certification plans. It would be useful one day.

All the best

I am an electrical engineering student on IT, please I want to know the skills or certifications I can get to equip myself for the oil and gas industry as an electrical engineer after my graduation.

Yinka A.

At entry level, all you need are a good grade (First Class or 2.1), and ability to defend it. You may try IT certifications, as they can be helpful along the line. Remember again that it is very competitive, so element of luck is also required.

I read your posts on Nairaland and I am really amused at how you have broadened the horizons of us the youths of this country. More grace to your elbows sir . I am an undergraduate of economics. And I would want you to help me with the chances I have to get a job in the oil and gas sector. I would be expecting your ever amusing reply. Thank you.
Okeme Emmanuel

I read economics too, and I work in the industry, although with my accounting (ICAN) certificates, not my economics certificate. My friend and best student in my class in the university works as an economist in Shell. He has no more than First Class degree, with few months experience in the banking sector, before getting the Shell job. The best economics student in the set after mine, also got a job with Shell. So, you stand a chance, but again, it is highly competitive, so you have to be academically hot. To broaden your chance, you may also consider ICAN or ACCA, so that if you can’t get in through economics route, you may get in through accounting route. Again, tens of thousands of equally qualified folks out there also have this. So you have to be good to navigate the competition.

Hi Jarus,

I am following your thread on Nairaland. Please I need your advice.

I am currently working in a bank, I work in the treasury department. I have a professional dealing certificate.

I am looking at making a switch to oil and gas sector preferably work in their treasury/finance departmentt. Do you think ICAN or ACCA is key in making the switch?

Yes, ICAN or ACCA is very key. It is hardly possible to get treasury job in an oil company without ICAN or ACCA, except for accounting officer/administrative roles.

Hey Jarus

I am a regular fan of yours as I read everything that has to do with you. I would need your help with this. I am a chemical engineering graduate of Uniben. Actually, one of the unlucky ones to graduate with a second class lower G.P of 3.47 because by the time I got very serious in my final year, although I have been above a 3.0 at all levels, I had a little problem with my project supervisor who made it possible I didnt get the 3.5

Now here goes my question, as a fresh graduate of chemical engineering, although planning on a Master degree soon, what are the possible skills one can acquire to get into an oil, energy or mining industry with no experience at all. I know some softwares I am supposed to learn, infact I know a lot, but I want to streamline myself to a marketable one. Also, I know its hard to get into the oil industries because of the competition. Is it compulsory to be a trainee before one can learn engineering? With software ability, do you have a chance @ it? Plus I am a good networker, and researcher too. Sometimes I don’t even know what I’m good at.
Thanks sir
Hoping to hear from you

You may try indigenous firms that supply personnel to oil firms on contract basis. There are a number of them. Their own recruitment criteria is not as strict. What they do is second their contractors to oil companies for projects. So with that experience, you can network your way into oil companies, or the experience may override your 2.2, since at that point, your first degree becomes secondary. You may be priced low though. You can also try Msc. All these software knowledge you’re talking about are good, but the issue is, there are others that have First Class and 2.1, and also have these professional qualifications, so you meet them there again. Try to leverage your networking and researching skills too. They are also important in getting job in any field.

Jarus,

I met all conditions you described here, but still do not get invited by the Oil & Gas companies for tests/interview except for Chevron.

I am a Chartered Accountant, been with one of the Big 4 Accounting firms for 3 years now and nearly made first class in Economics from Uniben (best student though). Also passed CFA level 1 yet still stuck in the Accounting Firm.

Please can you review my CV to know if it is the problem

Thanks and regards,

I also hold a First Class degree in economics and also a chartered accountant, and I have undergone recruitment process with Shell, Chevron, Mobil, Total Nigeria Plc, Total E&P, Oando, Seven Energy, Master Energy etc in the last 5 years (and I have actually worked in two of them). There is hardly any place I throw my CV into and I will not get invite, and we have same qualifications. That is the irony of life. That is why I always say, there is an element of luck in this thing too. Where you currently work is good, and it is one of the best training grounds. Almost half of the staffers in the Finance department of my current company are from that your firm. So that is reassuring. You just need to keep trying. Also, don’t restrict yourself to the majors alone (Chevron, Shell, Mobil etc), there are many independents doing well and paying handsomely (Sapetro, Afren, Statoil, Seplat, Dubri etc). I will review your CV and we can discuss offline. You’ve got a good CV, and I see you breaking into the industry very soon.

Hello sir, my name is Henry. I am currently studying Marine Engineering in Nigeria; it’s an ND course,with a span of 2 years. Please sir, I need
advice and insight on how to further my education into becoming a
Geologist, thereby boosting my chances of breaking into the oil sector.

Well, pretty straightforward: you become a Geologist by studying Geology, no be so? So complete your ND in Marine Engineering and enroll for Geology in a good university, either as DE into 200level if the university accepts ND, of you go through the UME route, in which case I advise you start writing now.

One good thing, too, is even ND is looked for in oil companies for some technical roles on contract basis. So your Marine Engineering diploma may also get a job in the industry.

JARUSHUB NETWORKING EVENING – DECEMBER 5

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