Oil and Gas Career Advice Please

[Rochester TVR]

Im at a bit of a crossroads in my career and would be interested to hear the opinions of others...

My background in a nut shell... I am a freelance draughtsman, I have over 10 years experience in the Civils / Rail and M&E industry working on some of the largest projects in the country. Over the last 3-4 years I have gained a fair bit of 3D expereince and am currently working on the East London Line as a 3D designer...

The majority of my experience has been with underground services and water treatment projects, the best of which was as a Civil 3D designer on the Olympics.

I have been trying to use that experience over the last 2-3 years to get myself into the Oil and Gas industry but have yet to succeed, all I keep hearing is that the industry is very hard to get into unless you either (A) know someone and can get in through the back door or (B) have O&G experience... without either or these it feels like I am fighting a loosing battle. I have been trying to gain as much experience is areas that I hope will appeal to the O&G industry, other than that what else can I do?

My career goal is to eventually be a pipeline designer using PDMS (or whatever the latset software is by the time I get there) at a leading company where I can stay for the longterm and progress within that company.

Does anyone have any advice as to how I can better my chances of getting to that point? I would happily consider permanent as long as I can still support my family on the wage, and I am happy to retrain but unless I get a lucky break I feel that I have reached a point that is hard to get beyond.

Any advice or pointers will be good to hear.

Thanks
Lee

[anonymous-user]

As no one has replied I will, your points a and b are correct, the alternative is to go somewhere no one else wants to go (Nigeria?), and don't ecpect big money for PDMS drafting. Best way is find alocal engineering contractor near to where you live and move on after afew years.

[mazdajason]

Have a look at oilcareers.com and rigzone, they are quite good for jobs and should have something you could maybe apply for. Oil industry is very much who not what yoh know, so good luck with your search.

[cs174]

Another good site here: www.oilandgasjobsearch.com

Register and put your up-dated CV online. Agencies do check who is up-dating their details as it means they're looking/available.

Keep trying and Good Luck.

[cbrannan]

The previous guys have probably hit the nail on the head with what they have suggested but you can also try [e-mail] or [e-mail]

AAA (Aberdeen Appointments Agency) are one of the largest agencies up in Aberdeen, also try Bryant engineering

I'm in the O&G industry and can only agree it can bea bit of a closed shop, but don't be disheartened, keep trying.

Good luck

[SierraWhisky]

Hi Mate,

I have colleagues who do a lot of recruitment into Oil and Gas, feel free to drop me a PM and I'll pass on some details.

Regards

Simon

[Rochester TVR]

Thanks for the advice everyone, ill be following up on all them links asap.

I have considered working abroad but with a family it would be far from ideal... but it is still an option.

Cheers.

[crossle]

YHM...