This book actually tells you what the job is like before you waste four years and $60k on a degree. I'm a junior in high school, and Chapter 1 alone made me realize I'd rather be out in the field solving problems than stuck in an office all day. The pay tables in Chapter 4 are exactly what I needed to talk to my parents about this realistically. Highly recommend.

Decent information, and the salaries in Chapter 4 seem accurate based on what my cousin earns in Midland. But I felt like Chapter 1 went a little too deep into reservoir simulation jargon for someone just starting out, and the self-assessment in Chapter 2 felt a bit long. Still, if you're serious about this career, it's a solid starting point.

As a career-changer from teaching, I needed straight answers, not fluff. This book delivered. The breakdown of what a petroleum engineer actually does on a Tuesday afternoon - not some textbook fantasy - was eye-opening. The job-search advice in Chapter 5 is practical and actionable. I've already updated my resume and reached out to my network after following their checklist. Worth every penny.

Really appreciated how grounded this guide is. It doesn't promise you'll be a millionaire by 30, but it gives you realistic numbers and honest expectations about the tough parts, like the cyclical nature of the industry and the math-heavy coursework. Chapter 3's comparison of different education paths helped me decide between a four-year degree and a two-year technical route. Would have liked a bit more on fieldwork stories, but overall a good buy.