Cyp0111 said:

---

was the package decent ?

---

I didn't take it, I haven't been around long enough that it was worth it and I would like to hang around longer.

For those that did take it I believe it was decent; one month for every year of service capped at 16 months, I believe?

Sounds about right based on what I heard.

Ramrod said:

---

Cyp0111 said:

---

was the package decent ?

---

I didn't take it, I haven't been around long enough that it was worth it and I would like to hang around longer.

For those that did take it I believe it was decent; one month for every year of service capped at 16 months, I believe?

---

Yes, health benefits for a significant period of time as well. I was surprised by some of the people who did elect to take it.

CVX has remained ahead of XOM in market cap for about a week or so now. If the quick check on market cap for the other super majors is correct, CVX is the most valuable IOC by at least $10B. Not too long ago they were a distant 3rd behind XOM and Shell+BG. I think XOM was worth close to 2x CVX during the early 2010s.

Do you all think this is a temporary anomaly due to XOM being late to the cash burn reduction game and the Europeans going green or a result of different strategies over the last 10 years that will continue going forward?

I also wonder how an acquisition of NEE 10 years ago by XOM (instead of XTO) or CVX (instead of one of the Australian LNG projects and Atlas) would have been viewed today.

CVX is ahead of XOM but not by $10B

Current super major market caps (this morning)

CVX: $159.1B
XOM: $158.9B
Shell: $129.6B
BP: $64.2B

Seeking Alpha shows $171B but I guess that isn't a live number.

Does anyone on this thread have an MBA or other Masters degree on top of their PETE Bachelors?

I'm pretty indecisive right now about whether it is worth pursuing one when I'm already making a pretty optimum salary for my age group, because this would basically be in hopes to diversify my skillset in case I get let go.

I'm currently in the process of trying to earn my CFA. Similar curriculum to what I would expect to see in an MBA program, but only $5k all in for total expense and all self directed. May not look as great on a resume to some, but coughing up $60k a year for a program worth the paper it is printed on was hard to swallow, especially at my company where none of the executives have an MBA.

I don't but was at the same crossroads. Someone on here put it well, "how are you going to leverage it?". Will you be able to recover the $100k in short order? Will that debt be more harmful if you find yourself in the job market? I think an MBA is getting to the point of almost being necessary to be at a high level. I don't have one but I'm getting all the OTJ training I could ever ask for.

I've been torn, probably should do it. For my position in supply chain management it's not typically required, but definitely a plus and listed as preferred on job applications. Issue I'm having is looking for jobs. Obviously most are outside O&G right now and not really having any luck for my level of positions since I don't have industry experience. I can almost guarantee it wouldn't be an issue if I had an mba.

I've been on the fence about this a few different times. My philosophy is that if the company wants me to get it they will pay for me to get it. It's not required for upper management. the people I know that have one didn't see it help them much in the job market when making the jump. Maybe if you wanted to get into finance then it makes sense but I couldn't bring myself to pay that much when it won't translate into any direct pay impact. Having a MBA also doesn't change your trajectory within a company. If you're a high performer, they already know. It might give you a little bit of a leg during interviews but then it all comes down to proving yourself when you get your foot in the door.

Unless they ask you to get one (and want to pay for it) or you are looking to restart your career in a different field, I'm just not sure it's worth it anymore.

MBAs are pretty common these days and the cost has sky rocketed. And that's from someone who got their MBA a decade ago when determined to make a run up the ladder. In hindsight, it was a decent learning experience to see how different people in different industries would tackle a problem. And the networking was good. I just don't think the paper actually did anything other than maybe boost my confidence.

Do you think there is utility now if one was actively entertaining the idea of switching industries (out of O&G)?

Lester Freamon said:

---

Do you think there is utility now if one was actively entertaining the idea of switching industries (out of O&G)?

---

Maybe. I think you'd have have a plan instead of hoping an MBA will be the plan. If per instance it was a top tier school with extremely high placement. Or an MBA with a focus different than your career experience (investment, finance, etc.) But I would suggest doing some research to ensure you know what your expectations for employment (and cost vs return) are before taking the leap.

Pabby said:

---

I'm currently in the process of trying to earn my CFA. Similar curriculum to what I would expect to see in an MBA program, but only $5k all in for total expense and all self directed. May not look as great on a resume to some, but coughing up $60k a year for a program worth the paper it is printed on was hard to swallow, especially at my company where none of the executives have an MBA.

---

I think you're spot on. I advised someone recently how a CFA stands out to me more than an MBA (when hiring someone). Unless the mba is from a top tier program, or you're not a business major, then I think the cost isn't worth the benefit.

This x1000. I have both and this is the advice I consistently give those with a financial bent.

Unless your company pays for it you are going to need to change jobs in a hurry to recoup the $100K. Most of my friends that went the MBA route ended up at a consulting firm because the pay was great. Those friends also travel each week (pre Covid), work 80+ hours, and are just now having kids. I can't imagine how you can keep that up with a kid and working wife.

Yoi don't. You either make partner or you find a landing spot within one of your customers in industry.

I have had the same thought. MEEN by degree but O&G since graduation. I toyed with the idea of MBA; however, I hear what has been said above. This has me more interested in either CFA or more likely M(S)Fin, or one of the Masters in Data (Analytics). I think as we continue forward, I think big data will continue to be more prevalent, and the ability to work it and summarize it will be a separating factor.

Good conversation around MS in Data Analytics as well as his/her personal experience.

https://texags.com/forums/18/topics/2844250/1

Yes thank you both. I've looked into quite a bit of Data Analytics programs because that intrigues me and would be something I think I would like to step right into and be involved with outside of O&G and even stick with it when oil is in a bull market (I just have no way to prove that and zero knowledge of all the softwares).

I could be way off, but when I think MBA, I think you learned the skills behind running your own or leading a business... and honestly that's just not me.

Also, not gonna lie, it's nice to see that most of you (and from what I gather from tracking this thread, a lot of you are veterans or leaders in the industry yourselves) had the same mixed thoughts, and I'm not just incredibly indecisive.

MBA to run your own business seems like an expensive detour.

There are a couple of two week management programs that company used to send people to, Thunderbird with asu and smu Cox. My old boss went to them and said they were good. Don't know exactly how they are viewed externally. Might be worth looking into like you said $5 M vs $100 M.

Four Seasons Landscaping said:

---

The primary value of an MBA as an entrepreneur is the people you meet getting their MBAs as well.

---

I've been told this as well. I've been thinking about getting mine.

Wouldn't you say that it's limited to a pretty small subset of schools (re: networking with entrepreneurs)

Cyp0111 said:

---

Wouldn't you say that it's limited to a pretty small subset of schools (re: networking with entrepreneurs)

---

Oh, absolutely. I'm most likely doing mine online, which is when I heard so much about the connections made. I'm not a business major, and it's more of the "we'd like you to get it to check this box", but was also told that since I have my P.E. it's and either/or type of thing. Still would like to get it as a personal goal.

Yea, rough go for many right now. Honestly I'm worried about them.

How are the layoffs going at BP, Chevron, Shell, & Exxon?