Hi, I have just graduated from Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) taking Bachelor in Mechanical Engineering. My major is Materials and learnt Failure Analysis, NDT, Corrosion & NanoMaterials. I also have experienced 7 months internship at ARKEMA Lychee Project, Kerteh as a Trainee Project Engineer for ALGOTECH for Mechanical & Piping Department. Up to now I've sent more than 150 job applications (email & website) and only received 2 interview offers, one is SLB (managed until 1st stage only- group & individual) and Gas Malaysia Berhad (interview this Wednesday).


My concern is that, most o&g companies are now freezing hiring and downsizing and most job vacancies are for those with experience only and an engineer from a Client company recently told me, we need CABLE to get into o&g especially client. Even UTP grads don't get the opportunity to be hired that easily by PETRONAS anymore.


I want to ask the seniors here to guide me on what to do for now and what to plan ahead. By the way, I would really love it if managed to secure a job with client as I'm the kind of guy who likes to talk and manage and I've experienced working with contractor(ALGOTECH) and also in manufacturing/automotive during my Diploma with PROTON.So, would really like to venture into new area

This post has been edited by syazone90: Jan 19 2015, 10:15 AM

Am doing it everyday..hehe..but I'm not sure whether those email addresses are still valid or not. It was a list of emails I got from Amir Petir O&G group in facebook.

I prefer not to as their current project is in Kerteh, with an under-average salary and living in Kerteh, I don't think I can survive there. Besides, I'm looking for a more work-life balance company as I'm really into photography. With O&G constructions hectic working hours ;6 days weekly, 13 hours daily.. It would be nice if I could avoid that. Although I'm thinking of applying there as my last option.

It was during my 7 months internship. Yeap, really like to have intellectual discussions and to actually talk..would love to have the opportunity to converse with the higher ups. I picked that habit during school life, joining debate, public speaking etc.

It's not that I refuse to work long-hours, in fact most of the time during my internship I did overtime working from 730am-12am sometimes, and there were times I worked straight for 2 weeks despite getting low allowances. I'm just the kind of guy who likes to learn new things, that is why I went for the SLB interview anyway. Don't get me wrong, I wanted to join Client because I believe there I can fully show my potential and be appreciated. I just have this thirst for knowledge and wanted to be appreciated. That was one of the reasons I undergone internship at PROTON during my diploma days, having just RM200 allowance.

This post has been edited by syazone90: Jan 19 2015, 09:03 PM

I did too, sometimes more than that. It's just if possible I would prefer to find a more work-life balance. I'm sure u are handsomely paid as well, the offered I got was RM2500 only Friday as day-off and have to live in Kerteh. Even manufacturing industry is more kind than that. Just my opinion

I was called by AAF International LLC Dubai for Project Engineer post. They wanted to arrange an interview which was months ago. Till now nothing..hahaha..I guess I dont get the job. Was informed that ME preferred those with minimum of 5 years experience.

Thank you Hahaha, so Algotech reputation in the Arkema Lychee project is known. It happens due to poor management I have to say, and failure to appreciate good talents. If I'm an employer, I would not hesitate to hire some(very few) of the under-appreciated awesome workers

I assure u im different than him. I've been there, working as a 'kuli batak' previously before joining UTP. I just like the atmosphere of 'client' and wanted to gain some experience there, get to learn and work from a different perspective. That's just what I've always aimed for..nevertheless, I would not hesitate joining service companies if given the opportunity. Just that, right now is a really bad time..even SLB is firing 9k staffs and most companies are freezing their recruitments.

I actually saw ur reply on costing etc..haha..I was in the Mechanical & Piping department. Good thing joining small company is that I get to learn a lot with my own initiatives. My jobscope was actually just to handle the installation of mechanical equipments. However, I jadi rajin a bit and got myself involved in MTO, Lifting Plans, NDT, Weld Maps etc. I'm trying to be optimistic here, I've known people with no experience getting jobs for experienced people. I myself was called for an interview whereby all the candidates were working 2-3 years and I was still studying

hahaha..it's just that I felt really under-appreciated..I was doing the hardwork but my fellow colleagues doing clerk's work got the good side of the boss. & honestly I just couldn't see how I could develop more in that company. Any good contractor u would recommend?? nak try apply

Thanks so much..will apply ASAP

Oh my..I can't help but to feel the negative vibe from u. I guess u've misunderstood me from the beginning. By 'kuli batak' I really mean it,at PROTON one of my tasks was buang sampah everyday, kikis cat lantai etc. I did that for an allowance of just RM200 purely because I desired the knowledge that I could obtain there. As for SLB, it was just one of my "lucky strikes" to get the interview with them before this and I applied coz I want to experience working as Field Engineer particularly DNM or Wireline.

Reason for me to dream of joining client is for sure not the money, I'm sure u know better that service companies pay more than client. I merely want the experience there and to have a work-life balance so that I could spend some time on my photography

Lastly, I do hope and praying hard that my experience and UTP brand can help me get a decent job soon though I'm pretty sure UTP brand is not really being looked at by employers nowadays.

sure..will apply there as well...thanks

During my time, most problems came from the consultant..haha..was shocked to see that a lower-positioned staff in consultant bashing managers in contractors. I believe leaders are born, experience and knowledge alone won't suffice without talent.

By the way, I have an interview with Gas Malaysia Berhad this Wednesday for Operation Process Engineer post. Do u guys have any experience with the interview or anything related to the company?