Analyst in O&G or other commercial setting?

[rizfarmer]

Anyone here that can provide insight into an Analyst position in Energy or Utilities that's currently/formerly employed as an Analyst? Different companies attach various other titles to the position depending on which business unit they are hiring in however generally Financial, Planning, Midstream Marketing, Economic, or Corporate Financial Planning Analyst seem to be the most common job titles (or combination thereof).

I've always noticed a fair amount of Analyst positions available in the Up/Mid Stream, O&G Marketing, Utilities, and various other business units within the energy sector.


Curious:

Is this considered an entry/mid level position with room for progression? What positions are considered above/below?

Are these positions difficult to obtain when possessing all of the technical and educational requirements + relative business experience but not having ever worked for a Major O&G company?

What about not having exposure to or experience with any of the proprietary or O&G specific software?

Are employers generally willing to train people up on the required software at this employment level?


Please withhold negative comments; I'm just looking for some useful insight, and I'm only posting this up since I really don't know anyone in such a position.

[hampstor]

I'll comment on part of your question...

Generally, Analyst roles are more entry level, and these roles are more focused on transactional / day-to-day work and less focus on any strategic work.

The most senior non-manager (You have no one reporting to you) title in common use is 'Specialist'.

[rizfarmer]

^thanks



Feel free to PM if not comfortable disclosing this information in a thread

[Cos]

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[rizfarmer]

Originally posted by Cos
Our BA has a MBA and worked with us for a while but I dont think they make that much money.

Most companies are looking for some type of graduate student/designation. It seems to be industry standard but it seems overkill for this type of position.

[lint]

Business Analyst is an increadibly broad umbrella, Analyst even more so. What kind of analyst do you want to be?

[davidI]

Business Analyst positions I've seen tend to be more IT related.

Commercial / Planning / Financial Analyst positions can also encompass a broad variety of things, but most postings I see are very financial and/or statistical. Hence, MBA, CFA or CA requirements.

As far as software, I think the tools in use are generally just Excel and some statistical / probability applications like Crystal Ball.

Of course, depending on the position, the company may also want you to have knowledge of SAP (more for planning type postions).

For evaluation type analyst work, you may also need to understand some of the engineering software, though I don't think they'd expect it.

It's a tough question to answer since it can vary so much. To understand the position and level you really need to see the job description and understand how it fits into the company's business model and org chart.

[Canmorite]

I work as an Analyst in the finance area of O&G. May not be completely relevant, but PM me if you have any questions.

[chibwack]

I'm a BA on the services side. Definately entry level, lots of room to move ahead though, and I make a decent wage. I like BA since I tend to be exposed to all areas of the company which really allows me to learn the in's of the industry. No designation required, just a finance major or related.

[borN]

Just make sure not to confuse the 'Analyst' position in the capital markets industry. It's all messed up in here. Likewise to above, if you have any questions about capital market positions, let me know. I'm in equity research, so if you're an Analyst in this area then you're the highest you can go.

[rizfarmer]

I understand BA jobs are more IT related- not my interest. I aspired to work in the capital markets/brokerage/investment world coming out of school so I dont confuse that line of work with an OG analyst role.

For instance:

http://www.interpipelinefund.com/careers/listing/calgary/Analyst%20Midstream%20Marketing%20-%20Calgary_July12_12.php

Seems somewhat entry level however this is along the lines of my search. Ive realised i enjoy the technical/analytical aspect of this type of role.

Any ideas what this type of job should earn?

[chibwack]

Originally posted by rizfarmer
I understand BA jobs are more IT related- not my interest. I aspired to work in the capital markets/brokerage/investment world coming out of school so I dont confuse that line of work with an OG analyst role.

For instance:

http://www.interpipelinefund.com/careers/listing/calgary/Analyst%20Midstream%20Marketing%20-%20Calgary_July12_12.php

Seems somewhat entry level however this is along the lines of my search. Ive realised i enjoy the technical/analytical aspect of this type of role.

Any ideas what this type of job should earn?
Don't think that ba's are always IT jobs. I am one, and the most IT knowhow I need for my job is how to call the helpdesk number.

[dj_patm]

I know a few Supply Chain Analysts that I graduated with me and like mentioned above, it's mostly grunt work (like all new grad stuff really) like running reports, helping out with different, small tasks etc...

I know back when I worked at Loblaws the Supply Chain Analyst was a buyer. But all they really did was deal with vendors on day to day stuff and put through orders. They didn't actually analyze anything and they weren't in charge of the actual purchasing or decision making (i.e. they weren't picking what the stores will carry or how much)

[rizfarmer]

Originally posted by chibwack
I'm a BA on the services side. Definately entry level, lots of room to move ahead though, and I make a decent wage. I like BA since I tend to be exposed to all areas of the company which really allows me to learn the in's of the industry. No designation required, just a finance major or related.



Originally posted by chibwack

Don't think that ba's are always IT jobs. I am one, and the most IT knowhow I need for my job is how to call the helpdesk number.

Ha!.... That's about the extent of my IT abilities also. Obviously worked with complex proprietary software in the past tho.

Your job sounds interesting; what company if you don't mind me asking?

[Mitsu3000gt]

Originally posted by rizfarmer
I understand BA jobs are more IT related- not my interest. I aspired to work in the capital markets/brokerage/investment world coming out of school so I dont confuse that line of work with an OG analyst role.

For instance:

http://www.interpipelinefund.com/careers/listing/calgary/Analyst%20Midstream%20Marketing%20-%20Calgary_July12_12.php

Seems somewhat entry level however this is along the lines of my search. Ive realised i enjoy the technical/analytical aspect of this type of role.

Any ideas what this type of job should earn?

I've been an "analyst" before in O&G, doing very similar work to that job description you posted. It is the catch all term for people who don't really have a job description as well haha. Usually they do all kinds of odd jobs, presentation creation, analysis, tons of excel work, etc. Every time I have done a little bit of work for multiple departments I was basically called an analyst.

That job IMO would be worth around 65-70k assuming you have the 2yr experience. I was making 72k right out of school in an "analyst" position 4 years ago (risk analyst & marketing analyst) when I was 23, but I had no benefits. I'm 27 now (working as the marketing rep. for medium sized O&G) and beyond the first year or two of employment, the only thing that matters in O&G is work experience and who you know.

[chibwack]

Originally posted by Mitsu3000gt


I've been an "analyst" before in O&G, doing very similar work to that job description you posted. It is the catch all term for people who don't really have a job description as well haha. Usually they do all kinds of odd jobs, presentation creation, analysis, tons of excel work, etc. Every time I have done a little bit of work for multiple departments I was basically called an analyst.

That job IMO would be worth around 65-70k assuming you have the 2yr experience. I was making 72k right out of school in an "analyst" position 4 years ago (risk analyst & marketing analyst) when I was 23, but I had no benefits. I'm 27 now (working as the marketing rep. for medium sized O&G) and beyond the first year or two of employment, the only thing that matters in O&G is work experience and who you know.

When you say 65-70, are you talking before or after bonus?

[Mitsu3000gt]

Originally posted by chibwack


When you say 65-70, are you talking before or after bonus?

Before, based on my experience. When I was making 72k at a job like that I had no benefits or bonus (contractor), so 65k+bonus+ benefits would be a more likely scenario for a salaried person IMO. It sucked for me during bonus season, because everyone was all happy but it was just another day for me haha. If you had the full 2 years or more experience you might get 70k.

That job posting seemed entry level to me based on what I've seen, hence my 65-70k estimate for a salary which is pretty good for a 2yr.

Bonus would probably be 8-15% of your salary ($6-8k maybe) depending on the company, that is pretty normal but it can definitely vary. Entry level/intermediate positions usually have percentage based bonuses though, based on an evaluation by your superior.

Also bonuses are never fully guaranteed, but your salary is, so that is where I'd focus my efforts. RRSP matching programs can add up a lot too, if the company does that.

[rizfarmer]

Originally posted by Mitsu3000gt


I've been an "analyst" before in O&G, doing very similar work to that job description you posted. It is the catch all term for people who don't really have a job description as well haha. Usually they do all kinds of odd jobs, presentation creation, analysis, tons of excel work, etc. Every time I have done a little bit of work for multiple departments I was basically called an analyst.

That job IMO would be worth around 65-70k assuming you have the 2yr experience. I was making 72k right out of school in an "analyst" position 4 years ago (risk analyst & marketing analyst) when I was 23, but I had no benefits. I'm 27 now (working as the marketing rep. for medium sized O&G) and beyond the first year or two of employment, the only thing that matters in O&G is work experience and who you know.

An analyst position really only interests me for these reasons..... to get exposure to different business units in a mid-large size company.

I am your age now and had a simlar career path in finance but would rather be in energy or commodities so if there is a few years where I have to put some time in as an 'Analyst' I'd rather do it now vs in my 30's when I may not be able to live with 60-70K.

Other [main] problem I'm well aware of is my lack of direct connection to anyone in the industry.