As a sophomore petroleum engineering student wondering about future job opportunities, how are strict are the criminal background checks for field engineers at Chevron? I have an arrest record and a dismissed class A misdemeanor, no conviction, for a fight. Wondering if it's worth the $2k for me to get it expunged.
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Once your record is expunged you can truthfully say no without having to explain when the results come back. It's really a matter of the explanation hurting you more than any youthful misunderstandings. There are plenty of candidates that do not have the perception of "drama", and you want to make sure you are ranked among them.
If you were a senior majoring in PE, I would say change majors today - before lunch! But now is the time to be a freshman in PE, in three or four years, there will be no competition and even a little hiring will be sufficient to bring new graduates in. Since you are a sophomore, don't get any crazy ideas to hurry up and graduate in two years as things won't get better until the number of candidates for new jobs is very small. Take your time and the cycle will turn (eventually) in your favor.
As for the misdemeanor, $2000 is not too much to pay for a clean record. You just never know when it may show up on a report. Whatever you do, never lie on your resume or expense account. I never recommend lying in any case, but lying to something you sign your name to is not just unethical, but a massive sign of bad judgement.
Regardless of what industry or major you choose spend the $2k to get it expunged. A friend worked at a bank and assumed that her false arrest would be removed because the grand jury did not return an indictment. Wrong! She lost that job and was much wiser after the fact. She went ahead and paid the money to have her record expunged and now works for a major corporation that did a thorough background check. Bite the bullet and do it now, the sooner the better.
Don't lie on the application and if you are hired you will be fine. If you lie you are eventually toast.
Friendly advice - you see how cyclical the oil industry is. Now, we're in a down cycle and could be for some time. Change majors NOW. If you want engineering, try mechanical or chemical, but don't limit yourself to a single industry. Arrest and dismissed misdemeanor shouldn't hurt you too much, but the cleaner your record, the better. Keep your nose clean, study hard, and good luck.
Friendly advice - you see how cyclical the oil industry is. Now, we're in a down cycle and could be for some time. Change majors NOW. If you want engineering, try mechanical or chemical, but don't limit yourself to a single industry. Arrest and dismissed misdemeanor shouldn't hurt you too much, but the cleaner your record, the better. Keep your nose clean, study hard, and good luck.
Criminals need not apply. Go to Washington DC.