non gas and oil jobs in Houston (Dallas, Rice: mortgages, loan)

[npaoinc]

Get a job first..don't go to MBA now....further in your career, some companies would cover the cost for MBA. Some would pay 80% or even 100%. If MBA is your ultimate goal, try to get a job from those companies that would fund you.

So I think you are making the right decision.

[mtxspartan]

It's not like I can afford to go back to school right now anyways haha

[War Beagle]

Originally Posted by radiolibre99

There is a solid but small banking sector here but it is mostly tied to energy. There is energy trading in Houston too. Real Estate is pretty good too as is construction even though it's still recovering.

Oil and Gas is tough to break into, I mean it's the star industry like entertainment is to LA and Wall Street is to NYC. It's best to know someone or have a engineering degree or experience. With your sales gigs and an Econ degree you could have an option at the tons of vendors that do business with O&G firms.

Logistics, supply chain management is also another good field. I was almost hired at a major overseas shipping company but turned it down to move to LA. They're a good field too.

Basically you have your pick. Houston is business run city and business is booming. Any sector you choose will be doing something for you to excel in.

I don't agree with radiolibre about much of anything, but this is a very good post. Houston is not the banking or financial hub of Texas - that's Dallas. He or she is also correct about the O&G industry being hard to get into. If you look at most job postings in that field, they will almost always ask for previous O&G experience. It's one of those type of situations where I wonder how anyone gets their foot in the door, though I suppose that's why God invented internships.

Logistics is also a good recommendation due to the Houston ship channel, the railroads and crossroads of I-10, 45 and 69, Port of Freeport, etc.

If your brother will let you live with him, you would have a leg up on the people who want to move here for work but have no connections or support system.

[Mandres]

If your brother/uncles can get your foot in the door as a plant operator then jump on it, now. You'll make more money doing that then as an Economist or entry level trader. A bachelor's (with no internship) won't get you into either of those positions anyway.

Around here most operations jobs require/expect at least an associates in process technology, and a BA in soft science (economics) does not substitute. Press the family connection hard or you won't have much success breaking in. It's also hard, dangerous work with no room for mistakes or excuses.

[Meyerland]

Originally Posted by War Beagle

I don't agree with radiolibre about much of anything, but this is a very good post. Houston is not the banking or financial hub of Texas - that's Dallas. He or she is also correct about the O&G industry being hard to get into. If you look at most job postings in that field, they will almost always ask for previous O&G experience. It's one of those type of situations where I wonder how anyone gets their foot in the door, though I suppose that's why God invented internships.

Logistics is also a good recommendation due to the Houston ship channel, the railroads and crossroads of I-10, 45 and 69, Port of Freeport, etc.

If your brother will let you live with him, you would have a leg up on the people who want to move here for work but have no connections or support system.

How do people break into O&G: Internships, knowing someone, or becoming a Petroleum Engineer or Geologist. You can also get experience at smaller companies more easily.

New Petroleum Engineers make about $100,000 starting their first year.

[mtxspartan]

meh... I have no idea what they actually even do sometimes they aren't in Houston but other places like port la vaca or Louisiana, I think they work by contracts. I know they make very good money but it not easy work it's pretty laborious form my understanding and dangerous. Right now I would jus have the benefit of staying with them for free while I job search in Houston. I am open to working anywhere in Texas too like Austin, Dallas or San Antonio probably not in the Valley though, pay there sucks.

[Meyerland]

Working in Port Lavaca is not that bad, it's only 2 hours away. The best thing you can get is your foot in the door. My husband drove 18 wheelers and fracked wells in Midland,in his first year out of college. He's a Petroleum engineer too. It was a terrible job, but he made some money and gained experience. He parlayed that into a really great job in a big company.

[mtxspartan]

Ideally thats the plan just get my foot in the door. Too bad I am not an engineer but an economist, I don't even think my BA could lead me to anything "engineering" besides the math or going right back to school. I am mainly interested in the business aspect of the industry... hopefully something works out or I will end up going back to school for some engineering

[Meyerland]

Well, he really doesn't do any "engineering" in his job although it helped him get his foot in the door. He's more of a manager at this point. The only position he hasn't had is in HR.

This strategy works in pretty much any industry. You just have to get that first job and impress someone there.

[testmo]

Originally Posted by Meyerland

How do people break into O&G: Internships, knowing someone, or becoming a Petroleum Engineer or Geologist. You can also get experience at smaller companies more easily.

New Petroleum Engineers make about $100,000 starting their first year.

Engineering in houston is much more than just petro engineering. OP should network and get a head hunter to get in sales for manufacturing/vendor. Years doing that well will get you into a bigger company. I know people earning several hundred thousands of dollars doing sales. Theyve been at it for a long time but work for a good vendor here and selling equipment isnt hard