Should I work for a state-owned enterprise or pursue further studies?
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Many people have asked the same question; perhaps the seniors are already tired of it, but this is a matter that lasts a lifetime, so I just can’t help but post and ask for advice. Let me start by introducing myself: I’m male, from Chengdu, Sichuan, and I am in my third year of undergraduate studies in Chemical Engineering and Technology at Southwest Petroleum University. CET-4, above-average score. There are two options now: 1. Employment. It’s possible to find connections at home that can help one get into the Southwest Oil and Gas Field or Sinopec’s Sichuan Petrochemical complex – but only to assist with getting in. Without relying on my family, I should be able to get a job at some state-owned oil refining or chemical company on my own. 2. Postgraduate entrance examination. I am interested in applying for a master’s degree in chemical engineering at China University of Petroleum. Before the second semester of my junior year, I had no intention of taking the postgraduate entrance exam at all; it was only after the start of that semester that I gradually began to consider it, though I was still very hesitant. I pursued a master’s degree not because I had a specific plan for the future, but simply because there are still dozens of years ahead, and a master’s degree might be helpful for my development. However, many people say that pursuing a master’s degree is not useful, as it is not easier to find a job after obtaining a master’s degree compared to after getting a bachelor’s degree; indeed, this was also the case based on last year’s job fairs. You all have rich experience and insights in this area; I would be grateful if you could give me some advice on whether I should work or pursue further studies through postgraduate exams
Postgraduate entrance exam! Now, working in petrochemical companies requires shift work, with postgraduate employees having relatively shorter shift periods. If you want to work in the petrochemical industry, pursuing a master’s degree is not a disadvantage in terms of time, but graduates with master’s degrees are not given the same level of attention in such companies. Moreover, there will be an increasing number of postgraduates in the future, and to remain competitive, a postgraduate degree is essential.
I’m not sure. I graduated from the Chemical Engineering program in 2006; we’re from the same school. During the job fairs for the petrochemical industry, many companies said they were looking for operators rather than postgraduates. But if you have connections at home, you can try to pursue a master’s degree. After obtaining that degree, you can still use those connections to find a job at home
I think one should get a job first, after all, there are good opportunities! At our factory, the company supports employees in pursuing postgraduate studies by giving them a reduced salary, but they are required to return to their original workplace after completing their graduate degree, which is also quite good
Working while pursuing a master’s degree – not delaying either of the two – is the best approach, based on my experience. . .
Pursue a master’s degree; for those about to start working, a bachelor’s degree is now almost universal. If there are no pressures in life, it’s not a bad thing to set oneself a higher starting point. The chemical engineering program at the Petroleum University is truly excellent; there, you don’t just obtain a master’s degree – you also gain a learning method, as well as a whole new perspective for viewing and understanding things.
I work in sales now; it turns out that it’s not even necessary to have a bachelor’s degree! Wasting time. . .
Refining and chemical companies indeed do not recruit postgraduate students; even if they do, the number of positions available is very limited. It is usually only those large-scale refining and chemical companies that recruit postgraduate students.
LZ tells you that if it’s the Southwest Oil and Gas Field or Sichuan Petrochemical, you should go there without hesitation! They’re basically not hiring anyone this year, but the benefits there are great! It’s not what you think. Many graduate students who want to get in simply can’t. From my own experience, I tell you not to think that just by getting a graduate degree you’ll be able to find a good job. When I graduated from undergraduate school, I could have gone to the Daqing Oil Field, but after completing my master’s degree, I wasn’t even able to get a job at Qilu Petrochemical – it’s really heartbreaking. Don’t think that the higher your educational level, the better your job will be; those with skills and connections can get in regardless of whether they have a master’s degree or not. My classmates from undergraduate school who are doing well have all become section chiefs; they’re pursuing part-time graduate studies, just like me!
I think it’s not certain that one will get a good job after graduating from graduate school; my junior classmates are having trouble finding jobs