Rusty GCS said:
I'm a Maintenance Coordinator for Operations at a chemical plant. In the area I'm in the best way to get hired as an operator is prior operator experience and/or a PTech degree. A bachelors helps if you want to become a supervisor eventually.
The benefit of getting an I/E degree is it's a maintenance job that is M-F. Operators work Canadian shift in general so you work some nights and weekends but do have a lot of days off.
As former control room operator who has switched fields to I&E, this guy is telling you the truth. My first year as an operator I made 98k at 21 years old, but absolutely hated the schedule. Took me six months to get used to the sleep schedule and it wasn't worth the money to me any longer as I was burned out in a couple of years.
Of course I'm a hands on and active person, either field is great right now. I took the time once oil prices slipped to go back and get my associates in I&E. There is lots of money to be made once prices get back up closer to 70 bucks a barrel and the flood gates open on hiring.
I like mullets, and bourbon whiskey..