5 Common Rules of Deciding to Take the Professional Courses

What are professional courses?

Professional courses can be best described as having a curriculum that helps a student to prepare for a specific field and then later upgrade their skills professionally as well. These types of courses are different from the usual academic courses that most students are so used to taking.

These professional courses help you develop a fresh set of skills, add new skills to your curriculum that will take you in the long run. This means that you would not only be getting coursebook knowledge but would also be able to make the most of the hands-on skills that you would learn in these courses. These courses are specially designed keeping in view the latest trends of the market and how everything is moving rapidly in the world.

Another key advantage of enrolling in a professional course is the short-term commitment. Unlike academic courses, professional courses do not make you bound for a long period. Yes, you read that correctly. You just need to sign up for the course based on what you would be learning from it and that is it. There is no hard or fast rule for you enrolling in a 6-month program. You can choose a weekly program based on your other professional commitments.

There are multiple professional courses available that you can pick and choose from. A lot of times, people do not want to study further but still want to enhance their skill set. In such a case, professional courses help you elevate your professional game altogether. Some people even opt for these professional courses just after getting done with high school or secondary level studies (i.e. 10^th or 12^th).

What professional course options are available?

There are many professional courses that you can choose from, depending on the field of your profession. One sector that is becoming quite popular with regards to professional courses in the Oil and Gas industry. If you are someone who wants to explore a career path in the oil and gas sector then you should opt for oil and gas courses.

Here is a list of some of the best institutions where you can enroll for the Oil and Gas courses:

1. American Petroleum Institute (API)
2. The Welding Institute (TWI)
3. The Institute for Oil & Gas Sector (IOGS)
4. National Association for Corrosion Engineers (NACE)
5. The Society for Protective Coatings
6. The Institute of Corrosion

List of the Professional Courses

Here is a list of professional courses that you can choose from if you go to the above-mentioned institutions, both online and offline options are available.

1. Quality Control Courses (QA QC Course)

• Welding inspector
• Coating or painting inspector
• Insulation inspector
• E & I inspector
• Fireproofing inspector
• Piping inspector
• Mechanical inspector

2. Diploma courses

• Diploma in thermal insulation
• Diploma in the protective coating
• Diploma in passive fireproofing

3. Other Professional Development Courses

• Corrosion Control by Coatings
• Corrosion Under Insulation
• Coating’s Fundamentals

What are the eligibility criteria for enrolling in a professional course?

There are no specific eligibility criteria for enrolling in a professional course. You could be a college dropout and still want to get into a course for engineers. It is completely fine. However, there are levels of these professional courses as well. You can start from the beginner’s level and then move ahead gradually.

How much do these professional courses cost?

It completely depends on what program you want to enroll in.

What job opportunities can you expect?

Once you are done with a professional course, you get a certification that states what level of the course, you have completed. Based on the certificate and your level of qualification, you would get a chance to explore better career opportunities.

Here is a list of roles you can get bases on the professional course you take:

• QA QC Inspector or Quality Controller
• Site Manager
• QA QC Engineer
• Project Manager
• Applicator
• Chargehand
• Foreman

How can you choose a professional course for yourself?

The truth is that no matter how much you want, not all professional courses are for you.

Based on your academic background and the profession that you want to pursue in the future, you must follow the below steps to help choose a course for yourself:

1. Prioritize the area of your interest

It is important that you first decide what professional courses you want to take. Once you do that, it will be easier for you to prioritize them based on the choice of your field. You should also consider factors such as a particular work field in the sector you would want to work in and sort out other logistics before signing up for the course. If you want to stay close to your family then you should consider that aspect as well.

2. Contact seniors

You must get in touch with people in the sector who have already taken such professional courses to grow in the particular career path you have chosen for yourself. You can also take help from people in your family, maybe relatives who have worked in similar work fields.

1. Do your research

No matter how many public opinions you take about signing for a particular professional course, all of it won’t amount to anything unless you do your research. Make the internet your go-to place for whatever problems you are having in deciding on a course.

Here is a list of things to keep in mind while doing your research:

• Specific professional certification or work filed
• Type of your current basic qualification
• Leaning mode (online and classroom)
• Broad Curriculum
• Average Fees
• Career Prospects

3. Talk to a career counselor

Once you decide on a professional course, it is important that you also get in touch with a professional career counselor who would help you in deciding a professional path later on.

4. Think about external factors

It is important that you also consider other external factors that might become a hurdle for you in reaching your professional goals.

So, what are you waiting for? Sign up today! Or check out the professional courses available for the oil and gas world.