<p>After reading every post on petroleum engineering in this forum countless times, I am truly conflicted. I realize that the market is dying down for PE’s due to lack of internships as TXAggie92 and LibertyinLight have informed us. What do you guys recommend? If I enter to get a BS in PE next year, what is my viability in terms of securing a coveted position in 2018 and what would you deem the salary range to be? Do you think Computer Science would be better? In truth, I would pick PE over Comp Sci any day because there is nothing more exciting to me than reading about horizontal drilling, underbalanced drilling, well performance etc. , but my first priority is having a job after I graduate college.Thank you all for your help.</p>
<p>Honestly? Don’t do PE, oversaturation is a big deal currently, your generation will be the one most affected.</p>
<p>Is it really that oversaturated that I would be lucky to end up with a field engineer position at a service company paying 60k from schools like TAMU or UT?</p>
<p>Anyone else with any opinions?</p>
<p>Let’s just break even: Is it worth going into or should I go for Computer Science? Thanks for your response</p>
<p>CS would probably be the safer bet as it would seem likely that there will always be a need for CS majors (at least for the foreseeable future). That said, there always seems to be a need for GOOD engineers in every field. If you follow your passion, there is a much better chance you will become that good engineer. You will be involved, engaged and knowledgeable and your skills will be desired. It may be harder to find work but somebody will notice your talent. You will also help yourself in school by getting good grades.</p>
<p>Nobody knows what the job market will be like in the 4 to 5 years it takes to get your BS degree. Who knows; with the dire predictions in the PE world, maybe fewer people will go that way and there will be a real need when you graduate. Its a chance, but so is pursuing a field that you don’t have a passion for; and you will always wonder “what if”. </p>
<p>It is a tough decision you have to make. Is there a way to combine CS with PE, maybe something like computer modeling of PE systems. That way you could study PE with CS as a fallback position.</p>
<p>I am not in the industry. But I’ve heard that our local CO School of Mines PE program has been expanding into alternative energy training too. This link mentions that [PETROLEUM</a> ENGINEERING COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES](<a href=“http://petroleum.mines.edu/undergraduate_program.html]PETROLEUM”>http://petroleum.mines.edu/undergraduate_program.html)</p>
<p>Thank you colorado_mom and HPuck35 for your responses! </p>
<p>@colorado_mom: Do you think that is a premonition towards the PetE program possibly becoming oversaturated or obsolete in the few coming years? I may be wrong, but I believe the alternative energy training may be hinting towards natural gas exploration and production. Thank you for responding!</p>
<p>@HPuck35: Do you think that the PetE programs at say, UT or TAMU, still experience a viable demand or will oversaturation affect them too as it has been affecting Mines, Tech, and LSU? My thanks to you too for responding!</p>
<p>Frugal - My D started at Mines, but she was not PE. So I just know general info I’ve overheard from her or info meetings. If you have not already done so, consider starting threads at the specific colleges. </p>
<p>Per Mines job stats, placement was great at CO School of Mines in 2013…96% for PE (and CS). Of course it is hard to say opportunities will be as good long term - <a href=“Home - Career Center”>Home - Career Center;
<p>Thank you once again colorado_mom! Anyone else with any opinions :)?</p>