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Xeom
Mar 16, 2007
So I am trying to find a job in a Texas oilfield or chemical plant. I recently graduated as a Chemical engineer and it seems that my degree is about as useful as stock paper. Yes I've already done everything you are about to suggest to find a job with my degree, lets not waste a single word on that topic. Please do not post anything about applying online, seriously don't.

Now if there is a better position than roughneck that my degree could help me get that would be great. Eventually in a few years I'd like to move into an engineering job, but I need a job that can help me get there. If you have a story about how you moved to Texas and got an oilfield job, operator position in a chemical plant, or something similar please post.

Also if you have any advice for picking up and moving to another state to find a job please share. My current plan is to get a job here(Miami, Florida), and save up like 2000 dollars then move to Texas. I will probably be living out of my car until I find a job.

Yes I am aware the work is extremely hard. Life sucks and I will learn to deal with it. I am in decent shape and know I can handle the work.

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Xeom
Mar 16, 2007

gently caress the ROW posted:

You'll be out in Midland/Odessa probably - is your spanish good? You're going to need a lot of spanish.

Yes I speak Spanish(I am Cuban, or rather my family is). Its not perfect, but I don't think it needs to be at a college level for this sort of work.

Xeom
Mar 16, 2007

Tom Steele posted:

A chemical engineering degree is actually a pretty great fit for this kind of thing and should provide you some opportunity to go in at a higher-than-roughneck level. I know you dont want to hear it, but if you want to PM me your resume or post the important parts here I dont mind taking a look and seeing if I can come up with any ideas.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1B57x9ymMkUb4t1aoAu3fu4K7bjCrL3I3dIixPb0t36o/edit

it fits on one page in MS word.

Barrista posted:

^ You wouldn't be a "roughneck" in one of these positions either. You'd either be helping to run a line (ordering operators around) or be on a project team that addresses issues or makes line changes. You can also look at the Beaumont or Port Arthur area.

And regardless of where you go in Texas, it's good to note that you're somewhat bilingual. While it usually isn't necessary for entry level positions, it's helpful for work in this state on any level.

Any reason you are specifically looking at TX? Our plant near Baton Rouge is hiring chemical engineers as well.

I've been applying every where in the united states. I am just going to take my car and try to find a job in Texas, because that's where people say the jobs are at. Ill gladly take a position anywhere.

Frozen Horse posted:

Do you list something like "Fluent in spoken Spanish" or "Conversant in spoken/written Spanish" or whatever is appropriate to your level of skill on your resume? This can set you apart from the average ChemE fresh out of college, especially for positions where you're going to be on the plant floor interacting with sesquilingual operators.

There's always the entrepreneurial option. Can you get your hands on a supply of methylamine?
No, my name is clearly Hispanic/Spanish, so I figured most people will think I speak Spanish anyways.

Xeom
Mar 16, 2007

Shooting Blanks posted:

Don't make this assumption. Include it as a skill.
I will do that.

The Baumer posted:

Nobody will assume you speak Spanish because your name sounds Spanish idiot. Please do pursue a job as a rough neck so you can get straightened out.

Care to expand on what exactly needs to be straightened out? Was my assumption so gross that you needed to talk poo poo?

Xeom
Mar 16, 2007

The idea isn't for there to be a natural progression. Its so I can network, and show people that I can work hard.

Xeom
Mar 16, 2007

Barrista posted:

Any reason you are specifically looking at TX? Our plant near Baton Rouge is hiring chemical engineers as well.

Would you care to give me your plant name? Also maybe a reference?

Xeom
Mar 16, 2007

oxsnard posted:

Oil and Gas guy here. Honestly you should think about getting into process safety management (PSM/RMP) This field is about to explode (hehe) with upcoming changes to OSHA and EPA regulations. The net is going to be cast in a wider ney both in o&g as well as traditionally exempt industries, as a result of that fertilizer depot explosion in Texas. Chemical engineers are the best candidates in this area too.

You can always find work at gas plants or refineries in Houston, New Orleans, Cali, Minneapolis and like a million other places in the US. Don't go to Midland if you can help it. Place blows.

I work for a large midstream in EHS and know a bunch of folks who started out as Chem E majors and now work in safety, environmental or operations. Send me a PM if you want to chat.

I don't have plat. Would you care to add me on linkedin? or message me by email?

Xeom
Mar 16, 2007

oxsnard posted:

I'll add you on linkedin. Email me at fourteenwaffles at gmail with a link to your profile.

Sent you an e-mail yesterday.

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Xeom
Mar 16, 2007

Amaterasu posted:

Don't go to Midland unless you absolutely have to. It's a horrible place and you will have a very hard time finding a place to live. They have waiting lists for apartments before they're even finished being built. My company now rents a furnished house because it was so hard to get a decent hotel room for company employees.

Baytown has tons of plants but there are also lots of choices for places to live depending on how far you're willing to drive.

If you have to choose between Port Arthur and Beaumont, go with Beaumont. There's nothing in Port Arthur.

Also look into South Texas (Eagle Ford Shale). My friend works at Koch Pipeline in Corpus Christi and they can't hire people fast enough.

Yea I was recently told about west Texas by oxsnard. Do you think North Dakota would be any better? It seems like in ND most companies give you a place in a man camp.

Also I can assure you Koch Pipeline is extremely selective. I have a friend with a 3.55 who worked throughout his education(20+ hours a week) and he couldn't even get an interview. People who are inside the company always seem to think that there are so many people coming in, but they have no idea how much larger that rejection pile is.

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