Chemical Engineer UniLag
Currently very discouraged.Served in the Engineering Design Sector but been looking for a job in the Oil and gas Sector for abt 8months now.
Considering broadening my scope to include Consulting *KPMG and PWC.

Might go get a Masters in Energy Engineering.

Any advice?

bee22:

Chemical Engineer UniLag
Currently very discouraged.Served in the Engineering Design Sector but been looking for a job in the Oil and gas Sector for abt 8months now.
Considering broadening my scope to include Consulting *KPMG and PWC.
Might go get a Masters in Energy Engineering.
Any advice?

hey akokite, the rumour is Denloye, ogunbayo and nwalor have sent words to the big O&G companies not to hire you till u pay the egunje they asked 4,
This is probably the lean season for O&G as a lot of these companies are hamstrung by the relatively low oil price and of course the credit crunch, an MSc is not a bad idea but then it all depends on what your aspirations are. By the way if you are already settled in eng design why do u want to move into the oil sector?

Hello
I'll be defending my Industrial Training soon and i need all the advice i can get from you guys. what do u think the profs and docs will be looking out for? i worked in a food and manufacturing company. Thanks in advance!

Allwell:

Hello
I'll be defending my Industrial Training soon and i need all the advice i can get from you guys. what do u think the profs and docs will be looking out for? i worked in a food and manufacturing company. Thanks in advance!

Just focus on what you did,

Didn't even know my people had a home on NL.

BS in Chem Eng and MS in Chem and Bio Eng.

Been working in environmental engineering for nearly 3 years but moving into process safety engineering now.

Was a student member of NSChE way back but never moved beyond that - now I'm looking at IChemE or EI (Energy Institute)

Kenny_G:

hey akokite, the rumour is[b] Denloye, ogunbayo and nwalor[/b] have sent words to the big O&G companies not to hire you till u pay the egunje they asked 4,
This is probably the lean season for O&G as a lot of these companies are hamstrung by the relatively low oil price and of course the credit crunch, an MSc is not a bad idea but then it all depends on what your aspirations are. By the way if you are already settled in eng design why do u want to move into the oil sector?

Those names bring back memories. . . .when did you graduate Kenny? I might know you sef.

Any Chem Enger from OAU here?

Remii:

Any Chem Enger from OAU here?

wat is OAU?

OAU is Obafemi Awolowo UNiversity, Ile Ife

Remii you finished from OAU? I think Dayokanu finished from that University too in Chem Engr . . . . .

and what about 2babie?

tubabie:

Remii you finished from OAU? I think Dayokanu finished from that University too in Chem Engr . . . . .

Dayokanu went OAU?, good to know. I entered Unife graduated from OAU, lived in Awo Hall throughout, lol.

tubabie, where did you cut your own chem eng teeth, lol?

Remii:

Dayokanu went OAU?, good to know. I entered Unife graduated from OAU, lived in Awo Hall throughout, lol.

tubabie, where did you cut your own chem eng teeth, lol?

shhhhhhhhhhhhhh Laspotech

Remii:

Dayokanu went OAU?, good to know. I entered Unife graduated from OAU, lived in Awo Hall throughout, lol.

tubabie, where did you cut your own chem eng teeth, lol?

She underwent unit operations to become a chem eng.

dbest were hv u been.we need u here

Debosky and Kenny, you guys are crazy, its not like the taunts will make me answer. . . .

tubabie:

Debosky and Kenny, you guys are crazy, its not like the taunts will make me answer. . . .

u berra answer or there is no Valentine prezzie for you

Kenny_G:

u berra answer or there is no Valentine prezzie for you

lol. Its always surplus by default

@Topic

Debosky can u pls give me an overview of what is expected from a Chem. Engr green horn in project mgt. Is it possible to go straight into that or u have extensive experience in other aspects for starters.

ok o if u say so

Thanks Kenny_G

Allwell:

Thanks Kenny_G

no problemo

tubabie:

lol. Its always surplus by default

@Topic

Debosky can u pls give me an overview of what is expected from a Chem. Engr green horn in project mgt. Is it possible to go straight into that or u have extensive experience in other aspects for starters.

What kind of project management? Is it engineering projects or IT projects or other projects? It al depends on the type. If one is a chemengr working in ‘non-engineeringl’ project management, you’ll likely need to do some training courses such as PMP or Prince2. If you’re working as a chem. engr on an engineering project, then you probably don’t need specialised skills beyond what you’ll receive in the firm you are working in along with your engineering skills, at least at the initial stage.

Anyone with additions or corrections is free to contribute.

debosky:

What kind of project management? Is it engineering projects or IT projects or other projects? It al depends on the type. If one is a chemengr working in ‘non-engineeringl’ project management, you’ll likely need to do some training courses such as PMP or Prince2. If you’re working as a chem. engr on an engineering project, then you probably don’t need specialised skills beyond what you’ll receive in the firm you are working in along with your engineering skills, at least at the initial stage.

Anyone with additions or corrections is free to contribute.

You are right bro, your chances of getting into project management is higher if you are a "green horn" as you alluded to, that way you enter as a graduate project engineer and get all the training in-house, compared to experienced engineers making a switch from mainstream engineering to project management. Either way Prince2 qualification wont be a bad idea if you can stump up the £1200+ needed to get the certi

debosky:

What kind of project management? Is it engineering projects or IT projects or other projects? It al depends on the type. If one is a chemengr working in ‘non-engineeringl’ project management, you’ll likely need to do some training courses such as PMP or Prince2. If you’re working as a chem. engr on an engineering project, then you probably don’t need specialised skills beyond what you’ll receive in the firm you are working in along with your engineering skills, at least at the initial stage.

Anyone with additions or corrections is free to contribute.

as for tubabie who is a process engineer, i dont think a PMP or Prince2 will be of help. I may be wrong
i think certifications should wait till you get a good job, afterwards, u can then decide on what to do.
If the experiential learning/the in-house training wouldnt fill any skill gap, then certifications may come handy

so tubabie, wait a bit

debosky:

What kind of project management? Is it engineering projects or IT projects or other projects? It al depends on the type. If one is a chemengr working in ‘non-engineeringl’ project management, you’ll likely need to do some training courses such as PMP or Prince2. If you’re working as a chem. engr on an engineering project, then you probably don’t need specialised skills beyond what you’ll receive in the firm you are working in along with your engineering skills, at least at the initial stage.

Anyone with additions or corrections is free to contribute.

Kenny_G:

You are right bro, your chances of getting into project management is higher if you are a "green horn" as you alluded to, that way you enter as a graduate project engineer and get all the training in-house, compared to experienced engineers making a switch from mainstream engineering to project management. Either way Prince2 qualification wont be a bad idea if you can stump up the £1200+ needed to get the certi

Thank you guys.

tkb417:

as for tubabie who is a process engineer, i dont think a PMP or Prince2 will be of help. I may be wrong
i think certifications should wait till you get a good job, afterwards, u can then decide on what to do.
If the experiential learning/the in-house training wouldnt fill any skill gap, then certifications may come handy

so tubabie, wait a bit

Hmm Tkb , I disagree with you here, although the Certifications are not compulsory right now . . .  it would not hurt to have them now either way. But thanks too.

tubabie:


Hmm Tkb , I disagree with you here, although the Certifications are not compulsory right now . . . it would not hurt to have them now either way. But thanks too.

i did Prince2 cos i wanted to be involved in PM but found myself in asset mgt; so tell me how my prince2 will be of help now?
my point is certifications can always wait till youre dead sure of where you'll be and what u'll do

no harm in adding the certs to ur long list of certifications tho

TK is def bang on.
Prince2 shud be an option now if you are planning to dabble into the world of IT project management et al
Engineering field use a whole different methodology so it's alot safer to wait and get into it first before you spend your hard earned cash.

However, if you are adamant on going for the prince2 training then you ought not to churn out the quoted figure by KG. I can always provide you with the necessary info for u to do self study and in turn pass the damn overrated methodology.

I think every industry has its own PM viewpoint.
Prince2 or PMP are attempts to standardize the discipline, but I feel the engineering education and work experience will determine your own PM required skill set.

I did a PM certification (PMP) last year, 10 years after I started my first job, and 8 years after my postgrad in engineering.
It's good to get some focus and solid experience on the career side before you take a position on the PM certification.

Hello people. I was thinking of starting a thread like this on NL till I discovered this. Nice work folks. I am a graduate of Chemical Engineering- Uniben and I'm currently serving. I should be through by June 2010 though I intend going for an MSc. Chemical Engineering in US by august this year. I'm expecting a decision this month as regards my application. I'm interested in the Environment Engineering aspect of Chem. Engr. Can anyone please advice on what certifications I need and areas/opportunities I can explore? Your comments would be highly appreciated.

AjanleKoko:


I think every industry has its own PM viewpoint.
Prince2 or PMP are attempts to standardize the discipline, but I feel the engineering education and work experience will determine your own PM required skill set.

I did a PM certification (PMP) last year, 10 years after I started my first job, and 8 years after my postgrad in engineering.
It's good to get some focus and solid experience on the career side before you take a position on the PM certification.

thts ma point!

in naija, na for cv for the most point - i'm sure some professionals here have had to work under 'prince 2 certified' ogas who don't know the first thing about running a project.

Hi guys, just read through this thread and will really be pleased to share my experience.

I graduated in chemical engrg. about 4 - 5 years ago, finished my service in august 2007 from Kebbi state as a teaching assistant in one of the best poly there. I thereafter dashed off to the UK to study MSc in petr. engrg. where I finished a year later.
I was refused further stay to remain in the UK which compelled me to relocate to naija in dec. 2008. I converted this UK disappointment energy into a determination energy utilizing a proactive process with prayer as a catalyst.
After nine months of futile applications in naija (not even an acknowledge from the hundreds of companies i applied to), I returned to the UK thanks to the almighty God who intervened when I applied for the UK permit from naija.
Ever since I came back to the UK,I had 2 interviews (one oil servicing and EPC) and one assessment centre (Multinational Oil Coy) but none was totally converted to an offer.Although, I'm still applying but I believe I should upgrade myself with some certifications while waiting for the job to come. I'm not only looking on the oil companies though but also any Energy coys and Process coys. Project management or IT are also options for me but very low on my priority list.

From the experience you guys have had; based on my background as explained above, could you advise me on the BEST CERTIFICATION to add to my current pool of skills that would enhance my chances a clinching a job on time?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

Well said guys - the crucial question hasn't been answered by tubabie as yet. . .is it engineering PM or 'other' PM?

Personally with my own experience so far, the best PM experience for an engineer will be working for an EPC company working on a major project, or for one of the oil and gas majors working on a major project as well. Generally you'll need to learn the project processes/work-flows of the industry you're in, or understand the general work flows within that industry to best determine what 'certifications' (internal or external) and the like you need.

In my own experience, I'd likely not do any PM certifications but focus on practical engineering project experience which can then be supplemented by PM certification much later - frankly experience and track record of delivery is far more valued in the engineering sector that PM qualifications.

However, if one is widening his/her scope to the wider PM community, the willingness to go through the certification hassle might be a good weapon to have in one's arsenal.

@ kvolander

Any HSE specific training will be an advantage - IOSH, IEMA and the other professional bodies will be a good starting point.

http://www.iosh.co.uk/information_and_resources/buy_our_books/be_the_best_-_read_more.aspx

http://www.iema.net/

How did the assessments/interviews go? I've had some experience in this regard so maybe I could give a few tips.