Students with a strong aptitude for science and mathematics may find challenging careers in the oil and gas industry. Petroleum engineering jobs will see rapid growth over the next decade as worldwide demand for energy increases. As the recession eases, the booming economies of India and China will join the rest of the developed world in competition for available energy supplies.
During the time it takes for climate-friendly alternative energy technologies such as wind, solar and geothermal to mature and take on a greater role in the energy economy, crude oil and natural gas will be important transitional fuels since they emit less carbon dioxide than coal for the same amount of energy output. Petroleum employment opportunities will be strong for workers in all phases of the oil and natural gas industry.
