Petroleum Engineers

One of the most satisfying ways to explore this occupation is to join the Technology Student Association (https://tsaweb.org). Members can enter engineering design and problem-solving competitions and learn team development skills, often with an engineering mentor. Science fairs and clubs also offer fun and challenging ways to learn about engineering.

The Society of Petroleum Engineers offers a membership category for college students and online forums to ask petroleum engineers questions. This is an easy, quick, and highly beneficial way to gain direction in the petroleum engineering field. It also publishes The Way Ahead (https://jpt.spe.org/twa), a blog for young professionals in oil and gas that covers career development and industry trends.

Trade journals and the associations listed at the end of this article are other helpful resources that will help you learn more about the career of petroleum engineer.

For information on careers and training, visit the following Web sites: Energy4Me (http://www.energy4me.org) and Get Into Energy (http://www.getintoenergy.org).

Participate in summer exploration programs in general engineering and (ideally) petroleum engineering that are offered by colleges and universities to build your skills, experience what it's like to learn at the college level, and meet people with shared interests.