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re: Is getting a Process Technology degree at Sowela worth it?
Posted on 12/28/25 at 2:09 pm to KemoSabe65
Posted on 12/28/25 at 2:09 pm to KemoSabe65
[quote]Grace had 16 apps for three spots in October, two were nepo hires.[/quote
This is Louisiana across the board, not just in operator jobs. It's why so many bright people leave. Not because they don't want to stay, but because their careers probably won't go anywhere no matter how smart they are or how hard they work.
If you want a career in process technology and you don't have connects, your best bet is to go to San Jacinto, Lone Star, HCC, or one of the private trade schools and look for jobs near Houston.
This is Louisiana across the board, not just in operator jobs. It's why so many bright people leave. Not because they don't want to stay, but because their careers probably won't go anywhere no matter how smart they are or how hard they work.
If you want a career in process technology and you don't have connects, your best bet is to go to San Jacinto, Lone Star, HCC, or one of the private trade schools and look for jobs near Houston.
This post was edited on 12/28/25 at 2:15 pm
1
Posted on 12/28/25 at 2:11 pm to cbr900racer22
quote:
We fix shite after we: install it wrong, calibrate it wrong, drag our feet so we get to work over.
Posted on 12/28/25 at 4:15 pm to Fleur de Diable
quote:
We fix shite after we: install it wrong, calibrate it wrong, drag our feet so we get to work over.
It's the contractors fault, it's always them.
Posted on 12/28/25 at 9:10 pm to cbr900racer22
quote:
As far as Sowela goes, it’s prolly best program in the state but for every operator position there will be dozens applying and with the Westlake layoffs, many have experience
All of this. Sowela is pumping out more and more PTech degrees every year and there’s only so many operator positions in the LC area. You better have some experience or something to set yourself apart. I’ve seen people post on FB about being graduated a year or more with the degree and can’t get an operator job.
Posted on 12/29/25 at 7:34 pm to Chastains
quote:
Our facility makes it a point to hire 10-15 Sowela P-Tech grads every year. That’s the same route I went 15 years ago.
Citgo?
Probably Phillips 66
Posted on 12/29/25 at 8:21 pm to lsu777
quote:
Ftr that’s such bullshite. In 99% of the plants in the LC area, all someone can do is refer your name and get you an interview if you past the test. Pretty much how it is in every big plant. Nobody can get you a job anymore. It’s not 1985 anymor
Agreed. I work for one of the big oil companies and was on an interview team for new hires pretty recently. We spent 3 days interviewing candidates then 2 days combing through the list to make sure the best got hired because of their resume, work experience and interviews. I don’t think a single one was related to an employee of the company. Could be different at other companies but that’s my first hand experience.
Posted on 12/29/25 at 8:46 pm to Chastains
Ptech will flag your resume on applications and will help you without question
Posted on 12/29/25 at 8:57 pm to Chastains
P Tech or Instrumentation is worth it.
This is how the hiring process went at the plant I worked at. Jobs were posted on the company website. Applicants apply online. Applications go to the HR department. HR reviews them and chooses those who are actually qualified. They are contacted for testing. Applicants tests go to HR. HR takes the applications of those who pass the test and send to hiring managers of the plant. Hiring managers review the applications and schedule interviews. After interviews are conducted the hiring team discusses which applicants will be called to make offers for open positions.
This is how the hiring process went at the plant I worked at. Jobs were posted on the company website. Applicants apply online. Applications go to the HR department. HR reviews them and chooses those who are actually qualified. They are contacted for testing. Applicants tests go to HR. HR takes the applications of those who pass the test and send to hiring managers of the plant. Hiring managers review the applications and schedule interviews. After interviews are conducted the hiring team discusses which applicants will be called to make offers for open positions.
Posted on 12/29/25 at 9:11 pm to indytiger
quote:
None of the Ptech schools are going to go out and get you a job, but the degree will definitely help
ITI Technical in Baton Rouge doesn’t “give” you a job, but they do help placing grads and connecting them with all sorts of plants. Maybe that’s the benefit of the $35k tuition for a 2 year program.
Posted on 12/29/25 at 9:16 pm to JonTheTigerFan
Also agree. Been in the game for a minute. All I can do is say you’re a good guy/girl and good hire once you get an interview. Your education and experience will get you an interview. Nothing anyone can do to help that with my company. Have to earn it
Posted on 12/29/25 at 10:41 pm to JonTheTigerFan
quote:this was my kids experience. He knew no one.
the best got hired because of their resume, work experience and interviews. I don’t think a single one was related to an employee of the company
Eta- until after he got hired. His supervisor and I attended the same small elementary school/same grade and had letters next to each other when we lined up by last name lol. But we lost contact after high school.
This post was edited on 12/29/25 at 10:44 pm
Posted on 12/30/25 at 12:31 pm to KemoSabe65
quote:
Son degreed there with I&E, Sowela does zero to place grads. Thats actually their huge weak spot since curriculum is pretty good. Plants have a huge old boy network in all areas. Grace had 16 apps for three spots in October, two were nepo hires.
This is what I’m worried about
Posted on 12/30/25 at 12:34 pm to Chastains
quote:
Any Sowela alumni want to chime in?
I work for a plant and toured Sowela 4-5 yrs ago. Very good Program and yes these good state run P-Techs help you get a job.
However, my chief bitch is that they tend to teach people that they will go into a control room setting quickly but that is not the case. You have to learn the outside operations at most plants first which could take a long time.
Posted on 12/30/25 at 1:10 pm to Defenseiskey
quote:
Is getting a Process Technology degree at Sowela worth it?
PTEC degree will help level the field with the other applicants that have them.
Not all hiring classes are the same.
For instance, if Plant "A" is hiring Operator trainees and a large plant/refinery that is nearby that just closed/had a unit shutdown which caused layoffs, that hiring class is going to have a large pool of candidates that have operations experience (do not be discouraged by this). That does not mean they will all get on, it just means there will be a pool of candidates with experience. On that, Ill say this, if a guy with 5 years exp. and a "dynamite resume" is interviewing and the answers to his questions sound pretty remedial for someone with that pedigree, red flags go up immediately and more intrusive follow ups will be asked to verify certain aspects of that answer. It's not easy to buffalo people on an interview panel who might have 20 years + exp. doing the job, so don't lie
The degree helps, definately worth it but you need something that will set you apart from the dozens of other applicants that have the same PTEC degree. You need to demonstrate that you are reliable, and most importantly-trainable. That means taking on more responsibility/training at your current job regardless of type of job, be able to explain it.
Be able to demonstrate that you wear more than 1 hat at your current job, regardless of what the job is and be able to explain it.
Look at any emergency response and safety training to accent your education and experience (CPR, Medical first responder, COSS cert will make you stick out for sure as an applicant ) .
good luck
This post was edited on 12/30/25 at 1:17 pm
Posted on 12/30/25 at 2:20 pm to Chastains
quote:
Is getting a Process Technology degree at Sowela worth it?
quickest path to 6 figures after high school. Have to get the job first and work the OT.
Posted on 12/30/25 at 2:25 pm to jizzle6609
quote:
Welcome to Lake Charles. Where It’s not about your skills or knowledge.
Muh meritocracy
Posted on 12/31/25 at 12:19 pm to Megasaurus
quote:
Look at any emergency response and safety training to accent your education and experience (CPR, Medical first responder, COSS cert will make you stick out for sure as an applicant ) .
I’ll look into this. Thanks
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