Construction Management in the Oil industry...
Discussion
I’m currently mid way through my placement year, studying construction management;
Two years at Uni full time,
One year industrial placement,
Final year full time at Uni.
I’m working for a large civils contractor on electrical substations throughout the country; I had planned to stay there and complete my training, aiming to be a civils site manager.
However, iv been pondering other routes lately. A friend of mine has been telling me about her dad who is a health and safety officer for a major oil company working in Oman.
She has promised to put me in touch once he returns from the latest stint but I’m getting a little curious so would like a little advice if anybody has any.
So, is there any room in the oil industry for construction management students?
Regards, Mitch
Two years at Uni full time,
One year industrial placement,
Final year full time at Uni.
I’m working for a large civils contractor on electrical substations throughout the country; I had planned to stay there and complete my training, aiming to be a civils site manager.
However, iv been pondering other routes lately. A friend of mine has been telling me about her dad who is a health and safety officer for a major oil company working in Oman.
She has promised to put me in touch once he returns from the latest stint but I’m getting a little curious so would like a little advice if anybody has any.
So, is there any room in the oil industry for construction management students?
Regards, Mitch
There's no doubt there are oportunities in the oil industry, have a look at expatengineer.net, oilandgasjobsearch.com oilcareers.com. Starting money isn't what it was, but if you have experience there is money out there, middle east dosn't pay well these days, and for me is best avoided, the far east has/is being spolt by Aussies who work cheap. You will need some experience in the UK before you can get good money overseas, or go somewhere dodgy, there are going to be a load of jobs in Southern Sudan, and its not as bad as the BBC say, (i've been there) but I wouldn't go back to west africa. Loads of work in Korea.
Think about is it what you want, I love it but, I enjoy changing jobs and the lack of security doesn't worry me.
Are there jobs on oil project? I've had 4 offers this year.
Think about is it what you want, I love it but, I enjoy changing jobs and the lack of security doesn't worry me.
Are there jobs on oil project? I've had 4 offers this year.
Heck, it does seem as though you have had quite a varied career!
I know that I’m still very early on in my working life at the moment so understand that experience is key, iv travelled quite a bit so far and would love to 'roam' around working for a year or two in each place. Not much of a roots kind of guy!
Iv trawled through the websites you suggested, unfortunately there seems to be very little along the way of junior positions.
I assume, as you stated that the key in these industries is experience...
I know it’s quite specific but, have you ever come across Junior Project Managers/ Programmers in your time?
Cheers, Mitch
I know that I’m still very early on in my working life at the moment so understand that experience is key, iv travelled quite a bit so far and would love to 'roam' around working for a year or two in each place. Not much of a roots kind of guy!
Iv trawled through the websites you suggested, unfortunately there seems to be very little along the way of junior positions.
I assume, as you stated that the key in these industries is experience...
I know it’s quite specific but, have you ever come across Junior Project Managers/ Programmers in your time?
Cheers, Mitch
Yes I've seen junior engineers, a mate of mine started in the Far East as a junior a few years back, but his Dad helped him get his first job, and he lived with his Dad so money was not an issue, after 2 years he moved on on his own, to a good job.
It is not easy to get started, I worked for an Oil Service Company that moved me overseas 30 years ago an I havn't worked much in the UK since. For the last 15 years I've worked for a major Far East Oil Cmpany, (you may guess if you look at my profile) they approached me.
Best bet is to get a job with one of the big Oil and Gas EPC contractors, Foster Wheeler in Reading? Shaws In Milton Keynes, etc, get on a job and go first trip with them.
Most of the jobs on the Web sites I listed are Agents, apply even if you don't meet the spec and they will keep your records.
I've worked in Scandinvia, India, Japan, S Sudan, West Africa, Germany, and for 15 years in S E Asia, jobs are good living cost low, and I like working on Projects that endm so you start again every few years, but I've also been married 3 times and I only see my two older kids twice a year, so not all roses.
You will in general need a first degree to get awork permit, and to start with go to some of the less populer places for your first job.
As I say money to start with is not what it was for starting out
It is not easy to get started, I worked for an Oil Service Company that moved me overseas 30 years ago an I havn't worked much in the UK since. For the last 15 years I've worked for a major Far East Oil Cmpany, (you may guess if you look at my profile) they approached me.
Best bet is to get a job with one of the big Oil and Gas EPC contractors, Foster Wheeler in Reading? Shaws In Milton Keynes, etc, get on a job and go first trip with them.
Most of the jobs on the Web sites I listed are Agents, apply even if you don't meet the spec and they will keep your records.
I've worked in Scandinvia, India, Japan, S Sudan, West Africa, Germany, and for 15 years in S E Asia, jobs are good living cost low, and I like working on Projects that endm so you start again every few years, but I've also been married 3 times and I only see my two older kids twice a year, so not all roses.
You will in general need a first degree to get awork permit, and to start with go to some of the less populer places for your first job.
As I say money to start with is not what it was for starting out
Mitchy88 said:
I know it’s quite specific but, have you ever come across Junior Project Managers
Cheers, Mitch
So now for some constructive help.....not a chance in oil & gas.Cheers, Mitch
The first thing to do is get in with one of the O&G major EPC contractors as BERW suggests. The real options are Foster Wheeler, Petrofac, KBR, Fluor, Parsons, Bechtel, Stone & Webster. With the exception of Stones all are south west of London near the M25.
Most have graduate recruitment programmes. The type of jobs you should be applying for are either into construction or project controls (planning, cost, estimating). You will get a start in the business, which is what you need. To be honest with no experience you will get next to nowhere applying through agencies, certainly not into the middle east.
Drop me an email if you want any specific guidance.
GT03ROB
Project Manager
Major O&G EPC Contractor
Berw said:
Rob, spent al day yesterday trying to think of Bechtel, mind went blank. Do Stone and Webster still trade in the UK I thought they were bought by Shaws and traded under that name now?
Stones are now part of the Shaw Group, I'm fairly certain they still use the name Stone & Webster & they have offices up in Milton Keynes. At least they did 3 years back! I spent far too long at Bechtel....my mind could never go blank on them! Sorry for the delayed reply, working away with no internet connection.
I have had a long trawl through all of the websites linked to the above companies, I hadn't even heard of most of them!
It does seem like a Graduate programme would be the best thing to apply for, there doesn't appear to be any scope for direct employment of juniors. Project controls seems to be in the rite direction.
I had hoped to apply for a position with somebody part-time whilst I finish my final year at uni, don't really want to go back full time now, iv done my drinking!
May I ask, how you both got into the industry?
I have had a long trawl through all of the websites linked to the above companies, I hadn't even heard of most of them!
It does seem like a Graduate programme would be the best thing to apply for, there doesn't appear to be any scope for direct employment of juniors. Project controls seems to be in the rite direction.
I had hoped to apply for a position with somebody part-time whilst I finish my final year at uni, don't really want to go back full time now, iv done my drinking!
May I ask, how you both got into the industry?
As above you'll be lucky to get into ex-pat O&G jobs with no experience, but it does happen from time to time. It's who you know though, not what you know.
I found that sometimes a company needed some ex-pat common sense, without the big price tag attached to an ex-pat package - and Grads are perfect for this, stick a few together in a shared apartment and Bob's your Uncle.
I found that sometimes a company needed some ex-pat common sense, without the big price tag attached to an ex-pat package - and Grads are perfect for this, stick a few together in a shared apartment and Bob's your Uncle.
Mitchy88 said:
May I ask, how you both got into the industry?
Mitch, I joined Bechtel straight from uni into project controls, after about 2yrs specialised in planning. Worked in Cumbria, Channel Tunnel, Qatar, Houston, India. Spent a few years as corporate planning manager for Europe, Africa & Asia. Couple of years in West Africa in construction management. Came back as a project manager, which is where I've been ever since. Project management in the industry is heavily reliant on experience. You have to do your time. Experience & attitude are more important than qualifications!Mitch, I'm an Accountant, I worked for an Oil Service Company that had a major fraud and coruuption problem, (In Norway) went and did the audit, MD was sacked for theft and I was appointed. Got involved in contract mangement on two big construction jobs, as I was driving the cash flow, went back to UK as Europpean Financial Director, and hated it, so I left and worked for an engineering company as Commercial Director, but wound up back in oil, I got some other qualifications, Chartered Arbitrator and an MBA with a speciality in Risk, and I am now the contract advisor to a major Oil and Gas company,(you can gues who my profile).
So I drifted in not planned, I was going to stay as Finacial Directo. But I've enjoed it, worked, in UK, Norway, Germany, UAE, KBrunie, India, Thailand, Japan, Sudan, and Angola, but settled in Malaysia.
Money is good and you get to travel a bit, but like a lot of people I've been divorced due to long trips away.
A big thing for me was my parents died when I was 28, so when I went back to the Uk I had no reason to stay, and I've now settled overseas. You need to think about what the travel does to your family life.
So I drifted in not planned, I was going to stay as Finacial Directo. But I've enjoed it, worked, in UK, Norway, Germany, UAE, KBrunie, India, Thailand, Japan, Sudan, and Angola, but settled in Malaysia.
Money is good and you get to travel a bit, but like a lot of people I've been divorced due to long trips away.
A big thing for me was my parents died when I was 28, so when I went back to the Uk I had no reason to stay, and I've now settled overseas. You need to think about what the travel does to your family life.
Mattt said:
As above you'll be lucky to get into ex-pat O&G jobs with no experience, but it does happen from time to time. It's who you know though, not what you know.
I found that sometimes a company needed some ex-pat common sense, without the big price tag attached to an ex-pat package - and Grads are perfect for this, stick a few together in a shared apartment and Bob's your Uncle.
Hello Matt,I found that sometimes a company needed some ex-pat common sense, without the big price tag attached to an ex-pat package - and Grads are perfect for this, stick a few together in a shared apartment and Bob's your Uncle.
Quick question...do you still have any construction company contacts over here? I have a friend in a big need!
Paddy_N_Murphy said:
Sitting from my side of the fence (i.e not being a long term overseas rotation O&G contractor / management) I find it quite disturbing on a personal level when I see the guys out there. Wake, Work, Drink (shag is optional), sleep, Wake, Work, Drink (shag is optional), sleep, Wake, ............
it always appears to be quite destructive UNLESS you are there with your family and are removing yourself from the above daily cycle with 100% immersion through work / work colleagues.
I see A LOT of people ending up very bitter.
Coudn`t agree more - I work for a service company and quite enjoy the lifstyle - for 2 weeks it is pretty tough on the work front, then back onshore to make up for missing out on 2 weeks of life before going back - either way it is basically living work 24/7 - if im not at work, i`m doing something with people from work.it always appears to be quite destructive UNLESS you are there with your family and are removing yourself from the above daily cycle with 100% immersion through work / work colleagues.
I see A LOT of people ending up very bitter.
There are a lot of people who are under 30 and already really bitter with it though, and a fair few older guys who are still doing it - different strokes for different folks I guess.
Did get told one story by the Directional Driller today about a guy who kept missing his helicopter flight back home, as his wife and divorce lawyer were waiting for him - probably a frighteningly common situation.
I can`t see myself staying in the field for my whole career, but I`m only 23 at the moment, and living without a house/family/car for a few years is fine by me.
I Could not agree more on the expat left style, it can detroy your liver, which is why I now LIVE in Malaysia, I'm not into the happy hour after work, my wife and family are here, mey social live is here, i.e the cars and the bikes, and it is why I have always tried to avoid jobs in the middle east,
Paddy_N_Murphy said:
I find it quite disturbing on a personal level when I see the guys out there. Wake, Work, Drink (shag is optional), sleep, Wake, Work, Drink (shag is optional), sleep, Wake, ............
it always appears to be quite destructive UNLESS you are there with your family and are removing yourself from the above daily cycle with 100% immersion through work / work colleagues.
I see A LOT of people ending up very bitter.
The business is full of people like this. It is a sad and depressing sight. They live their lives in dumps doing nothing but drinking, sleeping, working, shagging wit always appears to be quite destructive UNLESS you are there with your family and are removing yourself from the above daily cycle with 100% immersion through work / work colleagues.
I see A LOT of people ending up very bitter.
es. They getup at 5:30, in work for 6:30, lunch at 11:30, work til 6, start drinking at 6:01, bh, moan & get drunk til 8, asleep by 8:01, then do it all again. They claim they work there to earn big money, but many are simply paying off divorces or sending money home for the wife to live it up. They hate the work, hate the job, hate the ex-wife/current wife.The reality is they can never return home, their wives/families hate them, they have become too used to the artificial lifestyle that is international construction. A sadder crew of people than the average alcoholic, divorced, broke, construction guy on the average construction site you would not be able to meet. They think they are something special because the local w
es drool over them, they fall in love with one, divorce the current wife, take we home & the cycle starts again.However it does not need to be like that.....
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