Unsure of best career direction - UK engineering student (semi-target)

I am currently studying engineering at a UK semi-target (nottingham) which usually gets 2 or 3 grads into a given FO intake in a good year.

Unlike most I am studying engineering, but also have a distinct interest in finance, particularly financial free markets. I will also openly admit, that I place a high value upon money.

It is doubtful that I would be able to compete with other grads of usual subjects such as cambridge, oxford, lse (etc) for FO S&T positions at London BBs. Therefore I am looking at two other, slightly less lucrative careers that are possible with my degree.

The first would be supply & trading at an oil major such as exxonmobil or bp. Exxon specifically, here in the UK, ask for an engineering degree (preferably chemical) for their supply and trading program which I thought was very perculiar but advantagous for myself. Although I understand that the BP IST program is probably better?

The second, is in the same business really, but petroleum (drilling) engineering for one of the supermajors.

Both grad schemes start on the same comp, £34000 + 2.5k relocation which is just over $50,000. I know, we get worse pay in the UK, the same drilling job in the US would command more like $80-90k starting.

Now my question is, would a few years trading oil & gas at exxon, make me attractive to a HF or BB energy desk (if I perform) and allow me to significantly increase my earnings? Or should I just go with the drilling, travel the world, and earn a decent package ($150-200k eventually).

Thanks for your opinions