ABSTRACT The purpose of this paper is to describe the ideal role for a petroleum engineer. In an effort to accomplish this, the history of the engineering profession is traced from 3iblical times to the present. The evolution of engineering curricula from its founding in the U.S. at the U.S. Military Academy in 1812 is reviewed. The growth of the petroleum industry and the background and responsibilities of the technical personnel who developed the U.S. petroleum reserves and productivity is summarized. The evolution of petroleum engineering curricula from its origin at the university of Pittsburg in 1910 is traced to the present. This historical information permits one to understand – at least in part – the reasons for the composition of modern petroleum engineering curricula and the modern concept of a petroleum engineer. ECPD and SPE minimum curricula requirements for petroleum engineering and petroleum technology programs are presented. The SPE technical areas for petroleum engineeringnence petroleum engineers-are cited. The role of the individual who is seeking to become a petroleum engineer is traced from the time of entrance into College until he becomes a petroleum engineer. For convenience, his progress is traced through phases called academic, planning, learning, practica and management. The role of the individual in each phase is generalized and the methods for maximizing his productivity are discussed. It is concluded that there are many ideal roles for a petroleum engineer and that they exist in all types of petroleum industrial organizations and branches of the petroleum industry.