Drastic Career Moves (Specifically Into the Oilfield)

[TonyMCev]

how many of you guys have made a move from one career field into another that can be considered drastic? I am asking because I am considering a move into the oilfield, which is a far stretch from what i am used to. i need feedback. help me out?

[JC316]

I tried it. Tried going from being a mechanic into researching title for oil companies a few years back. I have a buddy that does it and he was going to train me/get me hired for a shit ton more money than I can possibly make as a mechanic. Even though I would be making 6 figures and I could do the work, I flamed out after 1 day, I just couldn't stand the work.

[TonyMCev]

I tried it. Tried going from being a mechanic into researching title for oil companies a few years back. I have a buddy that does it and he was going to train me/get me hired for a shit ton more money than I can possibly make as a mechanic. Even though I would be making 6 figures and I could do the work, I flamed out after 1 day, I just couldn't stand the work.

you are referring to being a landman?

[slostang281]

I went from a dealership mechanic to a floorhand on a drilling rig. I liked it but got a job offer as a mechanic that promised the same pay as I was getting on the rig. That didn't happen and I am trying to get back on my old rig as we speak.

What kind of company are you trying to get into and what kind of work? Nabors is probably the best and safest company out there but also the lowest paying as well. You can probably make $10 an hour more at H&P, Patterson, Big Dog, etc but the risk of getting injured is increased as well because they will hire a warm body. Long hours and long days but it's nice to be away from all the bullshit at home for a change and make a minimum of 2 grand a week.

[Kyle]

I went from being an underwriting assistant at a wholesale mortgage company to owning my own business. I had a business partner when I started, but he bailed pretty quick. I stuck it out and so far its been great. It definitely has its stressful/bullshit moments, but overall I love it. There are definitely days that I miss the stability of working there, but there are more days when I love being my own boss.


On a side note, it was scary as hell leaving there, but looking back it was the one of the best decisions I've ever made!

[SMKR]

how many of you guys have made a move from one career field into another that can be considered drastic? I am asking because I am considering a move into the oilfield, which is a far stretch from what i am used to. i need feedback. help me out?

Well I went from a district manager position in retail grocery to now operating a blender on a frac crew within a year. So talk about 180 change LOL.

[stinginstang]

I went from a dealership mechanic to a floorhand on a drilling rig. I liked it but got a job offer as a mechanic that promised the same pay as I was getting on the rig. That didn't happen and I am trying to get back on my old rig as we speak.

What kind of company are you trying to get into and what kind of work? Nabors is probably the best and safest company out there but also the lowest paying as well. You can probably make $10 an hour more at H&P, Patterson, Big Dog, etc but the risk of getting injured is increased as well because they will hire a warm body. Long hours and long days but it's nice to be away from all the bullshit at home for a change and make a minimum of 2 grand a week.

wife works for Nabors

[SMKR]

What kind of position are you looking at? Field techs (mechanics) are starting $24-27/hr. E-techs are similar. Easiest no experience required positions are probably water or crude haulers to get on with. Pay starts $16/hour average, 5-2 or 6-1 rotation. Average 13-14 hours a day. Nabors or stallion have the least driver experience requirements from what I've seen. The tyrnover/company jumping in this industry is unreal.

I do know Thomas petroleum hires with no experience required,$17/hr to start, 105 hours a week Avg.two of my buddies just started there 3 weeks ago.

[tribaltalon]

Lol. I just went from driving an 18 wheeler to an offshore position, completion fluid engineer to be exact. Still in the training phase now but I'm already making more not doing anything then I did driving a truck. We get paid salary and then x amount a day on a rig. Most guys doing my job are making 6 figures in a year pretty easily.

[90lxstangman]

I did it 4 years ago. I was working on a small Fire dept as a FF/Medic. Realizing there was zero room for advancement. I made a drastic move into the O&G industry. The positives were signifcantly more money, no longer needed two jobs and I'm actually using my degree now.

[Lone Sailor]

I went from being an underwriting assistant at a wholesale mortgage company to owning my own business. I had a business partner when I started, but he bailed pretty quick. I stuck it out and so far its been great. It definitely has its stressful/bullshit moments, but overall I love it. There are definitely days that I miss the stability of working there, but there are more days when I love being my own boss.


On a side note, it was scary as hell leaving there, but looking back it was the one of the best decisions I've ever made!

That's awesome. I hope to one day be financially able to begin that type of journey.

[Ruffneck1320]

The oilfield is a great place to work... I've been rough necking since I graduated h.s... I'm 24 and a driller now, just be prepared. Because u will work away from home a lot...I haven't been home in over a month... But it's a great job...30 an hour and on line for another promotion

[onemeangixxer7502]

Fuck working 14+ hrs a day on an oil rig..... especially as a rough neck. NO THANKS

[JC316]

you are referring to being a landman?

Yeah, landman. That job sucks out loud BTW. Spending all damn day in a courthouse trying to make sense of old records, where the handwriting is so pretty that it's unreadable.

[GrayStangGT]

Fuck working 14+ hrs a day on an oil rig..... especially as a rough neck. NO THANKS

You realize that's not the only job in the oilfield lol, I know lots of people who work out here and have never stepped foot on a drilling rig. We don't even get to the locations till the rig is long gone.