Personal Career

Explanation
By: Chad ODonnell

Offshore Electrician
Fixes and maintains electrical
equipment out on sea

Nature of Work

Installs and maintains electrical wiring and equipment

such as motors, generators, air conditioning, alarm
system, and SCR unit
Splices wires with knife or cutting pliers and sodiers
connections to fixtures, outlets and equipment
Tests circuit connections using electrical test equipment
Installs, tests and maintains electrical equipment such
as air conditioning, heating and refrigeration equipment
Installs and repairs lighting systems when required
Repairs electrical equipment such as panel lighting,
circuit breakers, junction boxes, voltage regulators and
reverse current relays

Education and Training

needed
Must have High School Diploma
An individual must be able to
perform each essential duty correctly
Must be able to read and write in
order to prepare daily reports
Must have good communication skills
Must be able to identify hazards,
alarms, and warnings

Other Qualifications
necessary
Must have mathematical skills required for
certification as an electrician
Must have good reasoning skills
Must not pose a direct threat or risk of harm
towards others
Must be committed to a high standard of
safety
Must be willing and able to comply with all
safety laws, regulations and company's
safety policies

Job Outlook/Future
Prospects
Wages going up
Demand
Many electricians are retiring so
more jobs will be opening up
More offshore rigs are opening up so
more electricians will be needed

Potential Earnings
Now/Future
Currently $78,000
May go up in the future do to the
demand for oil

List Related Occupations

Auto Electrician
Rig Electrician
Industrial Electrician

Petroleum Engineer
A field of engineering concerned with
the activities related to the
production of hydrocarbons, which
can be either crude oil or natural gas

Nature of Work
Use advanced computers
Develop and apply new technology to
recover hydrocarbons from oil shale, tar
sands, and offshore oil and gas fields
Devise new techniques to recover oil
left in the ground after application of
conventional producing techniques
Generally work in offices or in research
laboratories

Education and Training

needed
Bachelors Degree in Engineering
Bachelors degree in mechanical or
chemical engineering may also be alright
High School Diploma
Work experience is valued by employers
Coursework includes studies in advanced
mathematics such as calculus, algebra and
trigonometry, sciences such as biology and
chemistry, and computer aided design

Other Qualifications
necessary

Natural abilities
Problem solving skills
Creativity is essential
Team work
Communication skills

Job Outlook/Future
Projected to grow 26 percent from 2012 to 2022
Oil prices will be a major determinant of
employment growth
More petroleum engineers will be needed to help
companies comply with new regulations for
drilling in deep water almost every year
Oil is becoming more and more of a demand
every year
Many engineers will be retiring soon, so a decent
amount of jobs will be opening up in the near
future

Potential Earnings
Now/Future
Now: $130,280
Future: Possibly up to $187,200

List Related Occupations

Aerospace Engineer
Chemists
Geoscientists
Materials Engineer
Sales Engineer

Citations
Michael, Elvis. "What Is Required to Become
a Petroleum Engineer?" Everyday Life.
Demand Media, n.d. Web. 09 Apr. 2014.
"Offshore Electrician." RIGZONE -. Rigzone, 7
Apr. 2014. Web. 10 Apr. 2014.
All pictures: Fazio, Dan. "OCCUPATION
PROFILES - Floating Factories - G.I. Jobs."
OCCUPATION PROFILES - Floating Factories G.I. Jobs. G.I. Jobs, n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2014.