I am currently at a first year at a top ten MBA program in the US and looking to break into oil & gas at a super major (Chevron, Shell, BP, etc.); however, the post-MBA programs are fairly small in terms of numbers taken. Additionally, I do not have an engineering background which seems to be a bit of a hurdle at a few of the companies.
Is there anyone here currently at a super major or has any insight into the best way to break in? My b-school is fantastic, but places only maybe one student every other year or so into the O&G sector.
Cheers!
Interested as well.
looking to break into oil & gas post mba (Originally Posted: 05/24/2013)
Starting my MBA at Purdue in the fall (I know not an elite program but I got almost a full ride and they seem to place the best of the non-elite Midwest schools). I am looking to get into oil and gas post MBA (focusing in corp finance).
I am currently 33, my original undergrad is in criminal justice but I got my Series 7 after college, then went back & took enough accounting courses to sit for the CPA exam. I decided not to sit in favor of the MBA program. I know Purdue has placed with at least 2 oil majors (Exxon & shell), but worry that my background isn't attractive to recruiters. The bulk of my work experience is in financial services (basically sales), but I'm working on getting better at modeling & valuation.
If you want to focus on corporate finance, there are many options, including rotational development programs at the majors. There are also the pipeline companies and the independent refiners. However, CF is not "the business of the business". Corporate finance will be second fiddle to those actually doing the business of the 3 respective areas. You might have some interesting stuff in project finance on the exploration side, but most roles would be corporate treasury, counterparty credit analysis, and accounting functions. If that is what you want to do, then great, but it seems like the MBA would not be of much value, other than checking the box. Based on your background, and assuming you don't want to work in S&T/Commercial or Marketing, I would look at the service providers (SLB, FTI, HAL, BHI) There you would be able to capitalize on a growing company in a growing industry, and not be at a firm dominated by engineers such as XOM.
Advice for aspiring Post-MBA Career Switcher into Energy (Originally Posted: 10/18/2010)
Looking for some advice from those in the know.
Currently studying to take the GMAT again in December & will be applying Round 2 to a bunch of B-Schools in the top-20.
I'm interested in the energy industry as whole and how recruiting plays out at the MBA level. I have an Engineering U-Grad degree and a Supply Chain background and plan on making the career switch post-MBA into the Trading.
a) If Houston is my preferred destination should McCombs be #1 on my list or is there reasonable representation amongst the other top B-schools? (Top 7 for example) I'm concerned with industry placement moreso than B-School "prestige."
b) Which would provide the better learning opportunity for a career switcher? Oil Major, Utility or BB?
c) Successful traders in Energy...are they different than successful traders in other areas of Finance? If so, how? I've heard that Energy trading attracts a "different breed."
Thanks in advance!
insert montys response
McCombs, Rice, Chicago the most.. some Columbia...
search any of my posts or pm me
www.energyrodeo.com
Oops, just saw that post over in the B-School forum about Regional B-Schools. Pretty much answered all of my questions. Looks like McCombs is the clear cut winner for Houston Energy Trading, even over some of the other schools ranked higher (which is what I thought).
I didn't want to make the mistake of going to a B-School and have to go through hell in on-campus recruiting to land a spot in Houston Energy.
Thanks for the insight.
Energy Rodeo looks pretty legit btw, as a future MBA candidate looking to break into Houston & the Energy biz, its a must attend.
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