Life in Aberdeen & Oil/Gas Sector - Pros vs Cons?
Discussion
I think the interview for the engineering position I applied for went well yesterday so its probably time I actually stopped and found out what people reckon of life in Aberdeen and working in that sector?
With an engineering degree and wanting to stay in Scotland I reckon its about my only choice really for a decent career. Anyone else working as a project engineer want to share some of their experiences?
With an engineering degree and wanting to stay in Scotland I reckon its about my only choice really for a decent career. Anyone else working as a project engineer want to share some of their experiences?
Lots of O&G sector folk on here including me. As you say, best bet for a decent salary in this country. Lots of scope for progression and travel if that is your bag. Quite a small community so easy to get yourself a name (good or bad). 
Oh, and some of the best roads in the world are only 5 mins away...
Cheers,
Ali
Oh, and some of the best roads in the world are only 5 mins away...
Cheers,
Ali
Malcolm,
If you want, email me through my profile. With 20ish years in the business and some clear ideas on its future, I think I can help.
Too much in my heid to unload on a forum like this so probably an exchange of emails or phone calls and possibly a pint would be more appropriate.
To be clear, I don't represent any type of agency. I'm just keen to share my thoughts with folks thinking about a career in O&G.
Cheers,
Eric
If you want, email me through my profile. With 20ish years in the business and some clear ideas on its future, I think I can help.
Too much in my heid to unload on a forum like this so probably an exchange of emails or phone calls and possibly a pint would be more appropriate.
To be clear, I don't represent any type of agency. I'm just keen to share my thoughts with folks thinking about a career in O&G.
Cheers,
Eric
Hi Mate,
I am a graduate project engineer for an offshore / engineering company. Not originally from Aberdeen myself (Airdrie originally) but as for opertunities in Engineering, your right, there is no where else in Scotland, maybe even the UK (I stand to be corrected) that will have such a relatively concentrated amount in a smallish area..... I aint exactly Mr. Experience here though.
Aberdeen as a place is pretty nice, ok it has the same problems as anywhere, but generally I found it allround nicer than the likes of Glasgow. Ok its a bit on the grey side, but atleast the radioactivity of the granite keeps you warm
And yep, some good roads on your door step
Cheers, Ross
I am a graduate project engineer for an offshore / engineering company. Not originally from Aberdeen myself (Airdrie originally) but as for opertunities in Engineering, your right, there is no where else in Scotland, maybe even the UK (I stand to be corrected) that will have such a relatively concentrated amount in a smallish area..... I aint exactly Mr. Experience here though.
Aberdeen as a place is pretty nice, ok it has the same problems as anywhere, but generally I found it allround nicer than the likes of Glasgow. Ok its a bit on the grey side, but atleast the radioactivity of the granite keeps you warm
And yep, some good roads on your door step
Cheers, Ross
Main problem i had with Aberdeen (other than being English ) is that it's so far from everywhere else. I'm used to being an hour's drive max from 5 other big cities, so it can feel a bit isolated. It's a great place though, looks fantastic in the sunshine but can get a bit depressing in the gloom of the winter.
) is that it's so far from everywhere else. I'm used to being an hour's drive max from 5 other big cities, so it can feel a bit isolated. It's a great place though, looks fantastic in the sunshine but can get a bit depressing in the gloom of the winter.Lived in Aberdeen for 5 or so years, and there were only a couple of downsides for me.
First off, and Eric alluded to this, Aberdeen is more of a big town than a city - everyone knows everyone else and I sometimes prefer to be anonymous.
The other thing is that the entire place revolves around Oil + Gas. When that industry has a slump (as it does every 5 years or whatever), the whole city suffers for it.
In my experience the people tend towards openness or bluntness rather than being snide or two-faced, which suits me fine.
There's good roads and lovely scenery not too far away, and plenty of weather!
First off, and Eric alluded to this, Aberdeen is more of a big town than a city - everyone knows everyone else and I sometimes prefer to be anonymous.
The other thing is that the entire place revolves around Oil + Gas. When that industry has a slump (as it does every 5 years or whatever), the whole city suffers for it.
In my experience the people tend towards openness or bluntness rather than being snide or two-faced, which suits me fine.
There's good roads and lovely scenery not too far away, and plenty of weather!
i lived in Aberdeen from birth to 21/22yrs old. I then moved to Edinburgh for a job in the Oil and Gas exploration industry. Go Figure hehe
I liked Aberdeen. The people seem a lot friendlier than Edinburgh, but 1 thing I dont miss is the point raised above. Everyone in aberdeen knows your business, or thinks they do... even after i moved 5yrs ago! crazy place!
I liked Aberdeen. The people seem a lot friendlier than Edinburgh, but 1 thing I dont miss is the point raised above. Everyone in aberdeen knows your business, or thinks they do... even after i moved 5yrs ago! crazy place!
Email sent Kiltie.
Those who started in the industry as graduates. How quickly did you find you were working your way up the corporate ladder and that all important pay scale?
Could also be useful to find out what people think of the Uni's and Colleges of Aberdeen as my girlfriend is looking at moving with me and starting higher education up there now she's finished her gap years after school.
Those who started in the industry as graduates. How quickly did you find you were working your way up the corporate ladder and that all important pay scale?
Could also be useful to find out what people think of the Uni's and Colleges of Aberdeen as my girlfriend is looking at moving with me and starting higher education up there now she's finished her gap years after school.
emicen
I can only agree with most of what has been said above, OK it doesn't have all that a bigger city would, it is limited, but it is what it is, I have lived in or around Aberdeen for over 20 years and I consider it to be home, though I am from a bit farther south originally.
Bottom line is I have had a good living from both the industry and Aberdeen so I can't knock it
(well I could but I won't or Kiltie will get on my back)
Possibly time for another PH Aberdeen
, maybe emicen could come along and meet a few of us.
I can only agree with most of what has been said above, OK it doesn't have all that a bigger city would, it is limited, but it is what it is, I have lived in or around Aberdeen for over 20 years and I consider it to be home, though I am from a bit farther south originally.
Bottom line is I have had a good living from both the industry and Aberdeen so I can't knock it
(well I could but I won't or Kiltie will get on my back)
Possibly time for another PH Aberdeen
, maybe emicen could come along and meet a few of us.Corpulent Tosser said:
Possibly time for another PH Aberdeen
Sounds good to me
Being an English Oily, I moved from Birmingham 24 years ago - I came for 2 weeks holiday
Aberdeen is only just beginning to catch up with its size, still a big town, not a city IMHO. Superb countryside and roads abound, and the people (generally) are nice and friendly. Give it a try, I think you will like it!
Agree with all above - born and bred here in Aberdeen myself but didn't want to work in the oil to start with. However, soon realised if you have an engineering degree there is no other industry offering the same choice.
To answer some of your earlier questions, I've been in the industry only 5 or so years but the salary has nearly doubled since I started, so long as you are not bothered about going offshore and don't mind people asking very blunt questions - being a fresh graduate you'll find that you'll need to put in some offshore time before certain others accept you know what you are doing.
You'll always be well looked after if you can get in with an operator, contracters obviously earn more but have less job security - up to you.
To answer some of your earlier questions, I've been in the industry only 5 or so years but the salary has nearly doubled since I started, so long as you are not bothered about going offshore and don't mind people asking very blunt questions - being a fresh graduate you'll find that you'll need to put in some offshore time before certain others accept you know what you are doing.
You'll always be well looked after if you can get in with an operator, contracters obviously earn more but have less job security - up to you.
TFatC said:
Possibly time for another PH Aberdeen
Sounds good to me
Being an English Oily, I moved from Birmingham 24 years ago - I came for 2 weeks holiday
Give it a try, I think you will like it!
TfatC,
I'll take you up on your kind offer of beer - thanks!!
I may be a while getting there - about 4 weeks!!
As for returning to Stavangar - not soon enough
Rob
polrules said:
Agree with all above - born and bred here in Aberdeen myself but didn't want to work in the oil to start with. However, soon realised if you have an engineering degree there is no other industry offering the same choice.
To answer some of your earlier questions, I've been in the industry only 5 or so years but the salary has nearly doubled since I started, so long as you are not bothered about going offshore and don't mind people asking very blunt questions - being a fresh graduate you'll find that you'll need to put in some offshore time before certain others accept you know what you are doing.
You'll always be well looked after if you can get in with an operator, contracters obviously earn more but have less job security - up to you.
The role I've been interviewed for is a as a sales engineer for a high pressure water jetting and cutting subcontractor. It will involve some offshore work and is a bit more spanners and hammers than I would expect you would encounter at Shell or BP, but then maybe this is a good thing? More broad spectrum of experience and still doing all the contracts and tendors etc that a project engineer would be expected to do.
IMHO - there's no substitute for getting hands on experience with the 'spanners and hammers' as you put it. Seems to be a lot of younger guys within the industry at present who haven't gone via that route and have opted for the desk route. I think hands-on would pay dividends in the long run, but just my opinion (2p worth).
Re-reading my post, the spanners and hammers comes across negatively. It shouldnt have. I think in a very reactive business such as that, it is almost a pre-requisite to have indepth knowledge of the equipment and how projects are progressing. Certainly more suited to that than "theres your desk, theres your pc, you know how Ansys works yes?".
From what I have been told, its a good time to be getting in to the oil and gas sector as they are keen to recruit young engineers and the market is strong.
From what I have been told, its a good time to be getting in to the oil and gas sector as they are keen to recruit young engineers and the market is strong.
Gassing Station | Scotland | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff