Texas A&M: A warning to petroleum engineering students

TL;DR version: Number of PETE students steadily rising over the past 10 years; available entry-level positions may not be growing at the same rate.

As you probably know, the number of petroleum engineering students has been on the rise for the past 8-10 years. High starting salaries have attracted mass loads of students to southern universities like A&M, Texas, LSU, and others that offer the degree. But is it the right move to start studying petroleum engineering right now?

Before I post the letter from A&M, check out the LSU PETE student enrollment statistics from Fall 2003-present.

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Fall 2003: 107
Fall 2004: 189
Fall 2005: 193
Fall 2006: 240
Fall 2007: 302
Fall 2008: 345
Fall 2009: 393
Fall 2010: 458
Fall 2011: 534
Fall 2012: 777
Fall 2013: 902

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LINK

That's pretty crazy. Now, check out this letter from A&M:

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Dear Admitted Aggie PETE Applicant,

The Harold Vance Department of Petroleum Engineering, Texas A&M University, is pleased that you applied and were admitted to our top ranked petroleum engineering program. If you pursue a degree in petroleum engineering, our program is committed to providing the highest quality education available.

Recent data suggests that some concern about the sustainability of the entry level job market during a time of explosive growth in the number of students studying petroleum engineering in U.S. universities may be prudent.

Our advice is that you become aware of graduation projections and petroleum industry employment outlook for people with petroleum engineering degrees. For example, between fall 2011 and fall 2012, the number of freshmen in petroleum engineering programs in the U.S. increased from 1,388 to 2,153, a 55% jump in one year. Based on the many inquiries and applications TAMU is receiving for the petroleum engineering major, the number of U.S. students in petroleum engineering will probably continue a strong upward trend, as long as the employment market remains stable. These days, a very large number of people are already studying in petroleum engineering programs (see attachment, showing data made available through the Society of Petroleum Engineers, SPE), at a time when: the number of recent graduates, who began their studies several years ago, is already at about historical highs and growing rapidly (see attachment); our program’s board of industry advisors are recommending that we “do not grow” our undergraduate program at this time; and oil and natural gas price projections and expectations of U.S. governmental policy influences are viewed as not particularly encouraging by the U.S. petroleum industry.

We are not trying to discourage you from a career that we think is among the most fascinating, dynamic, challenging careers that exist. However, we also want you to know that the Aggie PETE program is doing the right thing by providing you with information that could end up being important to your future.

Sincerely,
Xxxxxxxxx

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Just thought I would share the information to those who know potential students interested in a career in the industry. It's something that incoming students may not think about until they begin searching for internships and jobs later in the curriculum.

I have heard that the number of available entry-level petroleum engineering jobs has remained somewhat constant over the past few years, yet the number of students keeps increasing. Probably good for the industry, as more competition may lead to better candidates, but that competition might lead to a number of unemployed PETE graduates if hiring rates do indeed stay relatively constant.