European degree in America.

[levvy91]

Hopefully someone can help me out with this.

I`ve been going to University in Hungary for the past 2 years, studying to be a Petroleum and Gas engineer. What are my chances at getting a job in the U.S with a European degree?

Any answers would be appreciated .

 

[zdas04]

It depends on oh so many things. I don't know anything at about the University of Hungary's PetEng program. I've worked with Romanian and Serb PetEng that were as well prepared to work in the industry as anyone, I wouldn't expect a Hungarian program to be hugely different. With the global nature of our industry being multi-lingual is a real plus. Speaking and writing English is really required if you want to work outside Hungary, but from the casual and colloquial nature of your post I'd guess that that won't be an issue. My guess is that if you can speak several languages (in a class I taught in Bucharest last year the average student was fluent in at least 3 languages with the ability to understand 3 others, I was blown away) and the program is adequate then your chances of entering the industry are excellent. An adequate degree, ability to speak English, a couple of year's experience, and a stated preference for a role in U.S. operations would likely make you very attractive to U.S. companies.

No guarantees, but the shale-boom doesn't look like it is going to wind down anytime soon and everyone is crying for talent.

David Simpson, PE
MuleShoe Engineering

Law is the common force organized to act as an obstacle of injustice Frédéric Bastiat

 

[levvy91]

Thank you for the reply. Know that you worked with Romanian and Serbian engineers calmed me down. The education system is pretty much the same. Guess all I have to do is learn another language. Thanks again, best regards!

 

[BigInch]

No. The work permit is going to be the most problematic.

you must get smarter than the software you're using.

 

[levvy91]

My bad, I forgot to mention I`m a citizen, I just moved to Hungary and stayed there to learn. Would that the reason getting a permit would have been difficult?

 

[BigInch]

"Guess all I have to do is learn another language."
Citizen of where?
This is getting confusing.


you must get smarter than the software you're using.

 

[levvy91]

I didn`t realize, that I didn't give enough info about myself and that zdas04 thought I was Hungarian. I`m an American citizen, I just go to school there. Its a long story I didn't want to get into all the facts. I was just curious and worried about, if American employers hire people with foreign degrees, or they just look right past them. All this despite the fact that I`m American.

My bad for misleading, hopefully I was comprehensible now.

 

[jte]

Odds are that you'll start in Texas. I think a citizen of Texas would be preferred, but from what I hear, they accept USA citizens as well.

In other oil patches within the US - Gulf Coast, North Dakota, San Joaquin Valley, your mileage will vary. If I were looking at resumes, I would not be overly concerned about a Hungarian BSME. I think most folks would have the same attitude - but certainly not all. As others above have pointed out, international life experience is a valued commodity. Use that as an advantage, don't worry about it as a weakness.

 

[levvy91]

Thank you jte! Hope thats the way its going be!