Oilfield Career - Am I selling myself short?
Asked by Noobdogg
Hey I recently graduated in engineering and joined a prominent oilfield services company. I've been a very good student and my resume looks pretty good. This was pretty much the second company to offer me a job and I couldn't bother going for more interviews, so I just took the job. Initially it looked good, the salary was above average and there was the really attractive field bonus. But now, I've realised that other companies pay a lot more for the same job, and I've yet to see any of that field bonus, since they say trainees aren't eligible for it. My seniors are advising me to be patient and get through a couple of years after which they claim I will reap the benefits, but I'm getting tired of the hard physical work that I'm not being paid all I should be for. I do enjoy the work, it's challenging and fun, but can't get rid of the nagging feeling that I can do better. Should I stay put and count my blessings or go for greener pastures? Wow thanks for all the great advice guys! I really didn't expect this sincere a response :) I think the general consensus is that since I am at such an early stage of my career, I am better off progressing as much as I can in my current job and it looks like I'm only a few months away from my field bonus... so I'll stick it out and see where it takes me :)

Best Answer:
It will get better, and the amount of experience that you are getting is valuable. I would stick with it, and then look to move into a position with an Operator. If you have the field experience, a solid educational background, and a good reputation, then you should have any problem getting out of the service side of it all. It is always better to be the company man.

My dad always told me it never hurts to listen, so I would suggest you look for other opportunities and go on interviews to hear what they have to say. There is nothing forcing you to take another offer, but it would at least let you compare your current situation with other opportunities out there. Then you would either realize where you are is a good place to be or that other opportunities are better. For the record, more money is not all you should consider. I have 15 years under my belt, so take it from me, sometimes enjoying your job means as much. As long as you are making enough to pay your bills and put some money away as well, then be sure to consider work environment, co-workers, boss, etcetera when you look at other places. You might get an offer of more money, but if you get to the new job and hate who you work for or the work environment, then it really won't be a better place then where you are now. Good luck!
Answered by Tim In Cbus

You could always stay, but still look for greener pastures and if you find one then jump on it. Although 2 of my brothers work in the oil field one as a hot oil-er, the other as a operator of a rig. The one that is the operator once told me that it is a very physically demanding job and doesn't seem worth it but when the first bonus comes around it puts it all in prospective, and his first bonus wasn't until he was there a year and he has now been doing it 5. I think it mainly has to do with your wants if you feel you need to move on then move on.
Answered by raindrop69us

If you're currently being paid above average and can make it on that, then stick this one out for a couple years. Get that often required experience under your belt, then you'll have grounds and experience to request more from your current company or any new company to which you apply.
Answered by Phienyxx

First things first - DO NOT quit this job unless you have another one lined up. That's simple enough, right? Next, submit your resume to different companies. I recommend using your own time to do this work. It could come back to bite you in the butt if your current employer finds out you're seeking other employment while on the clock (and it would suck even more if you don't get any other job offers!). If you go to any interviews - ask about bonuses, benefits, the "training" involved, and how long until you reap all of the benefits. Now that you have had this experience, you know what you want and don't want. If another company wants to hire you - make sure you give a professional notice to your current employer. I think if you are not happy, then definitely look for other work. It is very common for people to snoop around the job market - even when they LOVE their job. *One thing that I'm not clear of, though. Do most oilfield companies require you to work from the bottom up? It's hard to supervise others if you have never done that job. So maybe there is a chance that you will have be a roughneck, then derrik hand, then tool pusher, then driller, etc etc etc... (if that's the kind of work that your company does).
Answered by I <3 Mardi Gras!!

Your question is interesting as it is nothing wrong with seeking new employment endeavors to better yourself but let me tell you what I pointed out in your question. It sounds like you were enjoying the job (as you may still be) and giving your job your best until you found out one little thing, the pay. Does the pay or skills in your current job attract you most? I do not see anything wrong with looking for a position in one of the other companies but listen "the grass is not always greener on the other side" as I'm sure you've heard before. If you do decide to seek new employment, make sure you have your questions ready. Has the companies that do the same work as you do stable? Have they had any company layoffs? How do they pay their new employees concerning bonuses? Will you be eligible for them (the bonus) immediately no matter if you're a new employee or not? All I'm saying is, reconsider your thought to find a new job right now as the economy is going through a tough time right now. Do not make your career about how much money you make but the self-satisfaction you have in your job and the overall happiness. Maybe since you mentioned that your boss is aware of the bonus structure with other companies (like the one you work for) you can speak to him about what it is they offer (once you get the facts) vs. what your boss is giving you. Maybe this will help you make a decision.
Answered by B-Jo