Jordan Worley’s love of the outdoors and adventure led him out of a windowless office job and into the exciting and active world of the oil and natural gas industry. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in administrative management from the University of Arkansas in 2002, Jordan soon felt unfulfilled and was intrigued by the petroleum technology program at University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton. After his May 2009 graduation from UACCM, Jordan soon began a summer internship with Southwestern Energy Company, where he was quickly offered a full-time position that he has held for more than a year.

What will be your daily responsibilities at your job? I will soon assume the position of well site supervisor, where I will be in charge of all operations on the drilling site. With this position, everything from management, ordering [and] keeping records – it all stops with me.

What advice do you have for people who might want to go into your field? Definitely look into finding a summer job in this industry. You need to work, work and work. There are dozens of different companies that the natural gas industry relies on to operate, [and] getting involved with one of them would give you the opportunity to learn so much. I would also say, regardless of the field you are interested in, find a mentor and ask them to help and guide you in the given field.

What is the best part of your job? I love being a part of a business that provides an energy service to our country that we can all rely on. This industry is giving people jobs and it is right here, in our state.

WHAT’S THE PAY: A petroleum engineer in Arkansas could expect to make around $80,000 annually. Salaries vary depending on the specific area of engineering.

TRY MAJORING IN: Petroleum technology, civil, mechanical, electrical, biological, chemical, computer or industrial engineering.

WHY IT’S HOT: Arkansas is home to the Fayetteville Shale play, a natural gas reservoir that is one of the nation’s 10 largest fields of any type. As such, it’s providing numerous employment opportunities in the state.