Job Outlook in Colorado (In or Around Denver, Engineer) (Colorado Springs: home, school)

[IanTheEngineer]

Hey Everyone,

This is my first post, however I have read NUMEROUS threads via google (thank you google). Anyway, heres my question: How does the Job outlook in Colorado look? How does the manufacturing/factory industry look in the Denver or Colorado Springs area. Also, I realize there are a lot of oil companies in Colorado, but is the new Governor going to try and shut them down? Im not talking about right now, but in a year or two. Here's why I'm asking.

I have a degree in Mechanical Engineering (Emphasis in petroleum engineering), and am finishing my masters in Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering. Im sick of California (There are plenty of posts on this subject) and plan to move to Colorado in a year. Are there a lot of engineering jobs in CO? Online there seem to be a fair amount of postings, but quite a few posts on this site talk bout how hard and harsh the economy in certain parts of Colorado is. Does anyone know how the Engineering field is (I believe the defense sector in CS is really struggling)?

Heres some additional background on me: Ill be 25 when I move out there (single), Im extremely physically active (Jiu jitsu and backpacking), and consider myself a libertarian politically. Im looking to settle down in CO and start a family (side question - are the women in CO more real and genuine than in CA? In CA they almost all seem to have no idea of what hard work is, what morals are, and think there entitled to everything). Ive worked/paid my entire way through school on my own. I would like to go into the oil field, but wouldn't mind the manufacturing side either (Please don't turn this thread into a political discussion on oil - unless you have a degree in petroleum engineering or work in the industry - I'm NOT interested).

If you have any questions, please just ask! The more comments, tips, and advice the better! Thank you in advance for your help! May Karma be good to you!

[CTC]

Originally Posted by IanTheEngineer

Hey Everyone,

This is my first post, however I have read NUMEROUS threads via google (thank you google). Anyway, heres my question: How does the Job outlook in Colorado look? How does the manufacturing/factory industry look in the Denver or Colorado Springs area. Also, I realize there are a lot of oil companies in Colorado, but is the new Governor going to try and shut them down? Im not talking about right now, but in a year or two. Here's why I'm asking.

I have a degree in Mechanical Engineering (Emphasis in petroleum engineering), and am finishing my masters in Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering. Im sick of California (There are plenty of posts on this subject) and plan to move to Colorado in a year. Are there a lot of engineering jobs in CO? Online there seem to be a fair amount of postings, but quite a few posts on this site talk bout how hard and harsh the economy in certain parts of Colorado is. Does anyone know how the Engineering field is (I believe the defense sector in CS is really struggling)?

Heres some additional background on me: Ill be 25 when I move out there (single), Im extremely physically active (Jiu jitsu and backpacking), and consider myself a libertarian politically. Im looking to settle down in CO and start a family (side question - are the women in CO more real and genuine than in CA? In CA they almost all seem to have no idea of what hard work is, what morals are, and think there entitled to everything). Ive worked/paid my entire way through school on my own. I would like to go into the oil field, but wouldn't mind the manufacturing side either (Please don't turn this thread into a political discussion on oil - unless you have a degree in petroleum engineering or work in the industry - I'm NOT interested).

If you have any questions, please just ask! The more comments, tips, and advice the better! Thank you in advance for your help! May Karma be good to you!

Since you mention Karma-I think Boulder would be a great place to meet the woman of your dreams-when you get to Boulder just mention that you are a Petroleum Engineer (no political discussions about oil please)-and a Libertarian-you will have it made-just bring your stick to beat them off-for real!!

[IanTheEngineer]

hahahahaha If im in boulder ill be sure to tell everyone your my business partner

[Mike from back east]

Here in COLO SPGS there is no oil or manufacturing that I know of, unless it's related to the military, which is big here. I haven't heard that the defense biz here is struggling, I've seen no mention of it, just speculation that cuts in defense spending may hurt us. Still, the Army just announced bringing an aviation group here from another Army site which will further buoy this area.

Pueblo has a steel mill, a plant making wind turbine towers, an Army depot full of mustard gas and a federal DOT railroad test facility.

Boulder has a major university and a lot of high tech stuff.
Golden has the COLO School of Mines and the federal National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL).

Most oil work here is on the western side of the state, though the engineering may be done in Denver / Boulder. You probably now more about it than I do, but there's oil and gas, plus a ton of oil shale, in the NW corner of COLO and SW corner of WYO.

Either Golden or Boulder would be good bets for you, though Boulder has a rep for being very liberal.

Anywhere along the Front Range (I-25 corridor from COLO SPGS to Fort Collins) puts you in the game for backpacking and mountain sports.

[Willy702]

Engineers around Denver don't stay unemployed for long with any effort and some willingness to be flexible about travel assignments. Lots of jobs are Denver based but require some time out in the "field" so you may not be home every night. Probably a good way to start as a single guy and then as you progress you can settle down and find a job which keeps you home more as you start a family.

[Davros]

Wouldn't Texas have more oil industry jobs ?

If I were a petroleum engineer, 25, and single, I would consider an adventure such as working offshore in the gulf or working up in Alaska/Canada, or overseas.

If you know anything about natural gas, you could consider looking into the Marcellus shale in Pennsylvania.

If your primary goal is getting out of California, rather than getting to Colorado, I would recommend looking far and wide for exciting job opportunities, and consider the possibility of adventure !

Finding a job, and moving where your job takes you, rather than picking a place and looking for a job there, seems to me the best strategy for those who are young and enthusiastic about their careers.

[Katarina Witt]

Originally Posted by Willy702

Engineers around Denver don't stay unemployed for long with any effort and some willingness to be flexible about travel assignments. Lots of jobs are Denver based but require some time out in the "field" so you may not be home every night. Probably a good way to start as a single guy and then as you progress you can settle down and find a job which keeps you home more as you start a family.

A slight revision: Young engineers around Denver. I have a couple of neighbors who are engineers who've been out of work for two years now. Both are in their 50s, one almost 60. But the OP is young. I'd just add, if the OP doesn't think the Cali women measure up, he probably won't like the Denver women either.

[jazzlover]

All I can say is that a friend of mine's son is about your same age. He graduated with honors from Colorado School of Mines with a degree very similar to yours. Despite his desire to live in Colorado and having many connections in the state, he has not been able to work for at all in Colorado, with the exception of a brief (3-6 months) assignment with his company. He has lived in Texas the rest of the time since he left college--not by choice, but because that is where the jobs are in his field.

[Mike78613]

Originally Posted by jazzlover

He has lived in Texas the rest of the time since he left college--not by choice, but because that is where the jobs are in his field.

Don't remind me

[denverian]

I doubt if the governor-to-be would be anti-oil. He's originally a geologist, I believe, and moved to CO to work in that industry.