Offered a job as a Horizons Facilities Engineer straight out of college, starting in a few month. With all of the talk and action on layoffs, should I start looking at other options? Losing a job before I start would be a pain in the ass...
Thanks.
15 replies (most recent on top)
You are not at risk. Take the job.
I was laid off at Chevron recently, but I'd still recommend working there for Horizons. Excellent program, and you are cheap enough that they don't focus on your group when laying off. But, I'd also recommend you stay no longer than 10 years. You'll earn far more if you move around every few years, in the long run.
Take the government job, you'll be able to retire a hell if a lot earlier and you'll work way less harder. Your livelihood won't depend on the price of a gallon of oil. You'll also get much much more paid vacation and holidays right off bat, for starters, presidents day will be a holiday.
Your job should be safe for at least a year or more, no worries. And especially don't take advice from Dead Wood Trolling on this "Layoffs" forum, as they are the sore-assed ones about to be cut. The ones who aren't are too busy working.
Specifically recruited college grads won't be touched. Also you will see in this ROM higher PG will be targeted.
Your job offer is safe, your job maybe. Hope making friends come easy for you because many will despised by many for your very presence. Find a gray-beard that will informally mentor you in addition to whatever poor schmuck is assigned to you. If you work your ass off, keep your mouth shut, do what you are told and deliver on time, you will be fine.
For project alpha anyone hired in 2015 was out of scope.
Hate to say this but in project alpha there were many layed off within 1-1.5 yrs of hire date. You are most definitely in-scope.
Sounds like you hit the sweet spot. The job offer will be good. Your position should be secure for two years if there are no performance issues, Industry should be on the upswing by that time and you will have a lot of opportunity to advance your career. Enjoy your career and good luck!
If Chevron already extended you an offer, you are likely to be safe for two years. By then, oil prices and party time will be back. I only know of one time a few years ago that Chevron extended an offer, then pulled the job. The young employee was paid off with an entire year's salary and an apology. So, stick with Chevron. You are safe.
Stick with Chevron. You will be out of scope for the next year or two. The price of oil will rebound at some point and you will be in with a good company.
Don't put too much stock in what a lot of people are posting. Always remember that the oil field is and always has been boom and bust. Live well with in your means and you will have a great career.
I would take the job with CVX. Chevron honors their job offers, and with these deep cuts you should be OK as long as you work hard.
It is extremely unlikely that chevron will rescind an offer or layoff someone within a year of hiring them.
I have another option at the moment to work for government, but pay and opportunities are not even in the same universe.
I know for ten recent layoffs the new hires the year before were out of scope. With that said year two you better perform. If you have other options outside of O&G you might want to think about it. If your other options are O&G companies you will be in the same boat