How To Get Into Business Administration in the Petroleum

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How To Get Into Business Administration in the Petroleum & Natural Gas Industry 

Want to enter an exciting yet established field? You might consider the petroleum and natural gas industries. And while many think of oil and gas engineering or technical jobs like drilling or welding when they think of career paths within the field, if you are business-minded, you might consider the business administration path: oil and gas management.

Why the Oil and Gas Industry?

The workforce in the oil and gas field is aging out, with a whopping 50% estimated to retire in the next 5-7 years. That means qualified oil and gas workers are in demand, which means opportunity for you. Not only that, but it pays well: entry-level workers in the industry can earn as much as $61,000 a year.

Why Oil and Gas Management or Business Administration?

Oil and gas management, or oil and gas business administration, is a growing and necessary part of the industry. Professionals in this area help drive profits by handling business, including finance, marketing, administration, or accounting. Though they don’t handle the hands-on elements like drilling or processing, they ensure that the company remains efficient, standards and safety compliant, and profitable.

How To Get Started in Oil and Gas Business Administration

The oil and gas industry is heavily regulated and expects certifications for many roles. For this reason, many emerging oil and gas professionals tend to take oil and gas certification courses to earn degrees and certifications to get their foot in the door.

What You Need in a Degree Program

A degree program with a broad business background and industry-specific training is essential to succeed in the oil and gas industry’s business administration and management field. Here’s what you need:

  • Background and knowledge of management, marketing, and HR needed
  • Understanding statistics, microeconomics, accounting, spreadsheets, and MIS is necessary
  • Industry-specific training is required, including technologies and safety processes unique to oil and gas
  • Familiarity with industry terminology and keywords essential for success

Sound like a tall order? Then why not consider Lackawanna College? Its Petroleum & Natural Gas Business Administration Associate’s degree program checks all boxes for expert industry preparation. However, it only takes two years to complete and is led by a nationally-recognized director. Though many educational institutions offer oil and gas online courses instead of face-to-face offerings, at Lackawanna, you benefit from immediate, face-to-face instruction in your chosen field. And the excellent 16:1 student-to-faculty ratio ensures that you’ll never feel ignored.

What You Need in Experience

In the oil and gas industry, internships are important for gaining practical experience and industry knowledge before entering the workforce. Lackawanna College’s degree program ensures students access to valuable internship opportunities with major oil and gas companies.

  • Internships offer “boots on the ground” experience and an understanding of daily life in the industry.
  • Employers expect prior industry experience even from entry-level employees, making internships crucial for job seekers.
  • Lackawanna College’s oil and gas degree program requires a real-world internship with a major company, eliminating the stress of finding an internship independently.
  • By completing an internship with a major oil and gas company, Lackawanna College graduates are well-prepared for their careers in the industry.

Still not convinced Lackawanna College is worth the investment? You’ll be relieved to learn that 93% of Lackawanna graduates are hired by large petroleum and gas companies, so your time and money will be well-spent. You can apply today, and begin an exciting business administration career in the oil and gas industry.