Risk Analysts

I have a couple of people that I know who work as risk analysts, mostly in the oil and gas industry (Shell and BP). They do pretty damn well for themselves with just a bachelor's degree. One of them (only 25 as of this writing) is already a senior risk analyst at Shell.

Since I am looking to go back to school and get a degree somewhat related to analytics or numbers, I am wondering what is the best degree I can get that would prepare me for a career as a risk analyst? My friend who works at Shell has a BS in applied math and a minor in business from UT. She tells me this is the best route to take since the stronger you are with numbers, the more attractive you look to employers. Others say just a good old finance/accounting BBA or a degree in economics would do. I was thinking maybe I should focus exclusively on Statistics (applied statistics major?) and go with that.

Any input would be great, I am trying to find the best way to make myself marketable in these type of positions which deal with numbers and markets and maybe even investment banking down the line, but my primary interest is the oil and gas industry. Also, any specific college programs you would recommend that have a reputation for being heavily scouted by oil and gas giants?

Thx!

 

I heard great things about the UH GEM program, and a lot of its graduates seem to be doing quite well. I wonder though if going for a finance major at UT would be better than getting a finance degree from UH? I know Bauer is top notch, but does the UT program have as many connections to the oil and gas industry as the UH program? I know for a fact that oil and gas giants make a point of recruiting UH graduates because of a standing relationship with the university. Of course, UT is a more prestigious college and quite possibly the best public school in the nation, but I am not so sure about their business program or how well regarded it is in the energy industry, I have no point of reference.

 

I understand your sentiment, but I don't really see why I can't do both: have a valuable skill or trade and also be able to do good in my spare time. In fact, having a well paying career would enable me to do more good if I have a higher capacity for doing good or helping people around me. Being broke does not help me or anyone else around me.

The harsh truth is this: I can't find a good paying job in my current field, and this is coming from someone with graduate credentials. I am analytical by nature and have some background in in any number of areas, even linguistic skills. However, I am struggling to find a suitable career. Sure, there are odd jobs one can do part time and I have one of those, and it is not bad pay, it is just not steady enough pay and certainly not enough to support a family. My job search has gone on for almost 3 years, and nothing suitable has come. I decided to pursue graduate school because I figured I might as well do something useful with my time while getting deeper into student debt

Also, I have reached a point in my mind where I want to try and break into an industry with an international focus, and not American-centric. Being from and having family ties in the Middle East, my natural inclination is towards the energy sector. Frankly, I don't like the direction this country is headed into, and I see a future where I would benefit from a career that is flexible enough to travel and be useful to some employer based overseas, not just in America. With my linguistic and cultural backgrounds, and my education combined with a useful business skill, I hope to be able to better position myself as such.

At this point, the only stable career I can have is working for the government in some capacity, and that is just not going to happen any time soon, especially not for some Middle Easterner with a Middle Eastern name. Outside of some clearance job with the feds, I have pretty much exhausted my options. Well, there is teaching, but who the heck wants to babysit a bunch of middle and high school kids from broke down families and a society that tells them acting out is a good way to assert your individualism? I hate spoiled brats and undisciplined kids and I certainly could never see myself serving in any capacity that requires me to counsel juvenile delinquents on daily basis. I admire those who can do just that, but it absolutely isn't for me. It doesn't obviously help any that I wholeheartedly disagree with our educational system.

I think I said too much, I am sorry if any of this offends anyone.

 

UT has a good program, but their website for external transfers says they discourage people with first bachelor's degrees or more than 90 hours transferring to their programs. They also require the last 60 hours to be in residence at UT, while UH only requires the last 30 hours like most schools. I already have a bachelor's and some graduate credit even, but in a different field. What are my chances of getting into the UT program and would I qualify for some form of financial aid if I am pursuing my second bachelor's?

Anyone here familiar with admission procedures at either school that can shed more light on the best route to take here?