The downturn in the gas and oil industry has created many challenges for recent graduates who are searching for work in these fields. Although the outlook may look bleak for graduates, understanding the current environment and knowing some tips on how to find similar work can help these jobseekers land a job.
What Students Graduating in This Downturn Need to Know
While pay cuts and reduced hours are realities for oil and gas workers right now, the recent downturn does carry some benefits. For example, small and medium oil and gas enterprises are undergoing welcome changes. As more people from large companies lose their jobs, they turn to smaller, more local gas and oil companies for new work. These companies may not be as well-established, but they are generally more open to employees from different walks of life. Additionally, small and mid-size companies may be more flexible and personable than their large-industry counterparts.
In addition, the economic downturn has shifted the oil industry’s focus to skilled labor as they seek to find skilled talent to fill strategic roles. This can make it more difficult for a new graduate to secure a job, but graduates should not give up hope of finding the work they want. In fact, the more new graduates educate themselves, the more likely they can build up the knowledge, if not the experience, to perform the tasks employers want.
Writers from publications such as Oil Voice recommend that new graduates familiarize themselves with current events in the oil and gas industry. These include where and when layoffs occurred in large companies, especially in their hometowns, as well as which sectors were hit hardest. Graduates should not depend on one or two specific jobs or sectors; those may not be there. Instead, industry members recommend students broaden their petroleum and engineering skills. Students should read about all the engineering jobs and specialties they can and cultivate interests in areas other than what they studied in college.
Strategies for Surviving the Downturn
In addition to knowledge of current events, new graduates need practical ways to survive the downturn’s lingering effects. The most important thing any graduate can do is to get a job, whether it involves engineering or a similar field of study. While job searching, students should focus on finding a job that will let them be independent, make enough money to live on, and a job that will possibly further their education. Students should seek employers who offer incentives for getting a new degree or participating in continuing education classes. If local employers do not offer these incentives, seek a job with enough flexibility for online studies during off hours.
While working in a new job, do not abandon oil and gas industry ambitions. Students are encouraged to work on their resumes and widen their connections in the oil industry as well as similar fields. Websites such as LinkedIn are good places to start because users can create profiles and keep up with local connections while making new ones in different areas.
Oil and gas industry graduates should consider volunteering as well. Volunteer jobs do not have to be related to a specific field of study. Any opportunity enhances a new graduate’s resume and shows employers he or she is a well-rounded, compassionate individual who can work well with many different types of people. New graduates should fill their schedules with as many volunteering opportunities as possible, especially if jobs are not plentiful in their areas. Once jobs do begin to open, students should reexamine their volunteering experiences. They can think about what strengths they have developed and what new interests they have discovered, as well as how these new developments can help them in a paying occupation.
New graduates should also be prepared to travel and to take part-time jobs where and when they become available. The financial and physical independence gained from local jobs can help students prepare to relocate in order to take more-lucrative opportunities. If traveling for a full-time job is not possible, oil, gas, and engineering students should consider taking two or three part-time jobs, inside and outside their fields of study. Part-time jobs give students more opportunities to make money and increase their flexibility. If a job in their field of study does open, these students will be able to pursue that opportunity. Although they might not have the experience employers want on paper, their willingness to learn new skills will make them more desirable.
