What to focus on

[Crude.dan]

My nephew is wrapping up his first year studying petroleum engineering at a university in Texas, and I actually advised him to start thinking ahead cos he still has to know there's still a long road to go, and I want him to make the most out of these next few years and not wait until senior year to start figuring things out. But my advice came to hit me in the face and he started asking me these questions, ideally I should know cos I've been in the field for some time but I want other perspectives

So yeah, for those of you already in the field, what do you wish you'd done earlier in college, like certain internships, certs (like H2S, well control, etc.), or side projects that helped you stand out when you were applying for jobs?
Maybe I'd also refer my nephew to join on here so he can also see what its kind of like with people in the field

 

[trevorjenko]

Great advice, starting early really pays off. I wish i'd jumped on internships sooner, even small ones, just to get some real life experience. Getting H2S or well control certs is smart too, but hands on work stands out way way more. He should also look into joining SPE or getting involved in any school projects or competitions. The sooner he starts, the better his options will be by the time he graduates

 

[Lala Jane_]

I wish I'd started internships earlier and gotten basic certifications like H2S and well control in my first two years, it really makes a difference when applying for entry-level roles. Side projects or research in drilling or reservoir simulations also stand out