Petroleum engineering phd switch to IB
I have a PhD degree in petroleum engineering. Considering to switch my career to IB. Is taking a top MBA program the best way to do it? Is it possible to make this career switch?
I have a PhD degree in petroleum engineering. Considering to switch my career to IB. Is taking a top MBA program the best way to do it? Is it possible to make this career switch?
| +324 | UBS Tech MD hires Son (from no-name college) as an Intern | 54 | 14h |
| +89 | [Official] 2026 IB Analyst Bonus Megathread (with 2025 Consolidated Pay and Perks/Benefits) | 12 | 1d |
| +75 | Evercore Intern Seizure | 16 | 14m |
| +54 | Is DCM actually underrated ? | 20 | 11h |
| +46 | Are all Tech / TMT groups sweaty? | 33 | 6h |
| +41 | UBS Groups Ranked by Future Outlook | 20 | 5d |
| +41 | JPM M&A is Gone??? Purely Coverage Banking??? | 20 | 19h |
| +37 | Am I behind? 31 Year Old Analyst | 9 | 23h |
| +36 | Losing my personality in Banking | 5 | 1d |
| +32 | UVA McIntire vs Cornell Dyson for IB | 19 | 3d |
Career Resources
you poor soul
Why would you want to make a switch? Don't petroleum engineer get paid boat loads of money + decent hours?
Thanks for your message. I have been working at R&D for two years. Life is alright, but work has been easy and boring since there is lots of repeated work. Would like to switch to a new field which also needs my oil &gas knowledge.
From what I know about IB, it's not particularly an exciting field either. Probably even more boring. Do you really want to spend 80-100 hrs a week making slide decks Excel VBA, etc... all with poor quality of life ?
Why not switch to a field where you still get to use quantitative and scientific skills? Why not energy trading? Or why not consulting? Those fields will probably be more exciting and less repetitive.
Top MBA is a good way to help bridge to a finance role or other role. IB is a pretty awful use of your knowledge, perhaps a stint in Sell Side Equity Research would be better and way more interesting - although Energy ER is a double whammy shitshow now as well.
Have you worked in industry yet? You may want to shoot for MBB energy as well , especially if you have some real industry experience.
Qui asperiores deleniti sequi rem. Fuga harum porro consectetur eligendi.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...