If you are hoping to start a career in a growing industry with great job stability, the oil and gas industry could be the answer. There are plenty of opportunities for anyone who has training in engineering, field work, welding, or office duties. Regardless of where your talents lie, there is most likely a job in the energy field that could benefit from your knowledge and skills.

Key changes within the industry have made this the perfect time to enter into the oil and gas field. Currently, a large percentage of the existing workforce is preparing for retirement. At the same time, the demand for energy throughout the world is on the rise. In fact, by 2035, the International Energy Agency expects this demand to grow by 43%. It goes without saying that new exploration is critical in order to meet this growing demand.

Companies are recruiting heavily to make up for the retiring workforce and the increased demand. As a result, it is easier than ever to find a job in this potentially profitable field.

Don’t let a lack of experience keep you from pursuing this opportunity. No matter what you studied in school or what type of work you have done in the past, you can most likely qualify for a job in this industry. In fact, in a recent report that we published, more than 40% of the people who responded had backgrounds in other unrelated industries before beginning their career in oil and gas. As long as you are open to the idea of learning and are willing to put in the time and effort, you can generally get hired in this industry even if you don’t have relevant experience.

One great ways to get into this industry is to keep up with the latest news and there are some great apps and news sites out there – check out this list from Fircroft.

There is a common misconception that the only jobs in oil and gas involve working on oil rigs. In fact, however, there are many different stages that each project goes through. From the initial design phase all the way through to the clean-up process at the end of the project, a variety of different talents are needed. If you are currently attending school and are interested in entering this field, it is worth talking to a knowledgeable advisor about which path is best for you to pursue. Chances are, you can find a job within this industry that is not only a good fit for your natural abilities but that also is interesting for you to do.

Before you commit to a career in oil and gas, you may want to get a little bit of experience under your belt. The vast majority of oil and gas companies work with interns or apprentices. This can give you a chance to see firsthand what it is like to work in these industries. Of course, getting one of these internships or apprenticeships is not easy since there are many people vying for these positions. Be sure to research opportunities that are available in your area. For instance, an organization known as OPITO introduced a program for work placement in the UK that provides students in Aberdeen with an opportunity to connect with some of the leading companies in the oil and gas industry.

Work hard in school. Focus your studies around math and science. Ideally, you should work toward getting an undergraduate degree in engineering. Even if you have already completed school and didn’t focus on these subjects, however, all is not lost. There are plenty of resources that you can use to educate yourself about how to build a career in the oil and gas industry.

Speaking with someone who already has a job in this field can be a good way to learn more about the industry and about what the work entails. This person can act as your mentor. Younger students can also benefit from mentorship thanks to organizations such as the STEM Education Coalition in the US or the STEMettes in the UK.

To improve your chances of getting hired, you should also focus on figuring out which positions have the greatest potential. Learning more about the leading companies in the industry and current research that is being done can also help position you for success. There are many regions throughout the world where opportunities to work in the industry are available. Familiarizing yourself with these opportunities can open up more doors.

A career in the oil and gas industry can be vastly rewarding. Each day, you will be presented with new challenges, helping to keep your job interesting. There are also opportunities to travel the world, allowing you to see unique and interesting places. With so many different jobs to choose from, you can custom-tailor your career to your skill set and your interests. Add to that the fact that you can earn exceptionally good money in the field, and it is easy to see why positions in this field are highly sought after.