Keep in mind that oil and gas sector offers a variety of jobs and you can get a job regardless of your previous work history, academic background or current job. We recently carried out a survey and issued a report titled “Attracting and Retaining Women in Oil and Gas Industry”, wherein 44% of the respondents said that before moving onto the oil and gas sector, they used to work in a variety of industries including law, retail as well as building and construction. Oil and gas industry welcomes people who have a willingness to learn and have the required skills, regardless of the background.
Get a Job You're Interested in
Do not be under the misconception that oil and gas industry is only about offshore rigs. An oil and gas project moves through a variety of phases during its life cycle ranging from conceptual design stage to decommissioning and all these different stages required different skill sets. Therefore, if you're still in school, you should get in touch with a career advisor to find out more about various jobs available in this industry and you should also research online in order to find roles that interest you. There is wide variety of jobs available in the industry and you will surely find something to interest you.
Get Some Experience
It is important to get some experience under your belt through an apprenticeship or internship to get a feel of the industry. Most of the big oil and gas companies such as BP, Chevron, Exxon Mobil, Shell and Total run several schemes focused on providing people a taste of working life in this industry. Keep in mind that these are highly competitive and you will need to do some research. In the UK, the OPITO which is the oil and gas skills organization has recently launched a completely new structure work placement program that offers school students in Aberdeen access to some of the biggest operators and service companies in the oil and gas industry. You should also check the news to find about such initiatives in your location.
Keep Studying
Needless to say, one of the best ways to get into the industry is to study STEM subjects and get an engineering undergraduate degree. You don't need to panic in case you haven't studied STEM subjects as there are other schemes such as the Prince’s Trust to get into oil and gas industry.
Have a Mentor
If you already know someone in this industry, you should ask them about working in this industry. Mentoring is a great way to get into any industry and a mentor in this sector can help you navigate the industry. If you are in the UK, there are groups such as the UK Young scientists fair called The Big Bang and the STEMettes that can help you become aware of the opportunities available in this industry. Similarly, the STEM education coalition work and other such groups in the US raise awareness about this industry and also offer a variety of other information.
Do Your Own Research
You also need to do some research on your own in order to figure out the disciplines in highest demand as well as the best companies to work for and particular regions with highest growth potential. The new oil discoveries these days are usually being made in more challenging environments that need advanced technology and skills. The specialist subsurface discipline is a good example of the latest advances in technology. As far as the exploration and production activity is concerned, the cities of Abu Dhabi, Perth and Houston remain hot spots but several other countries such as Mozambique and Mexico offer a lot of new opportunities.
Be Aware of Pros
One of the biggest advantages of working in the oil and gas industry is that you get a chance to see the world and face complex technical challenges to stimulate your mind. However, oil and gas industry also offers a lot of variety if that is what you want. There are a variety of disciplines for people with different interests and individuals also have the flexibility to work across the globe on temporary or permanent assignments. This industry also offers substantial earning potential and benefits. For instance, skilled contractors can often make over USD 250,000 each year while working on major projects in the US.
Be Aware of Cons
While this industry offers the opportunity to travel around the globe as well as a challenging work life, you also need to be aware of the potential challenges in this industry. For instance, you will spend a long time being away from your family and friends, there will be long working hours and tight deadlines to meet as well as the need for work flexibility to finish the project. In this industry, the only way to progress in your career is to be willing to work your way up the ladder. There is nothing that can prepare you to go straight to the top. However, your hard work could be rewarded with a very long-term career with the top oil and gas operators in the world that comes with a variety of benefits.
You need to sell yourself
It's important to tailor your CV to a specific application. You also need to ensure that your CV remains concise and focused on the main points. Do not forget to include all your relevant skills, experience as well as contact details along with your education and employment history in reverse chronological order. After finishing your CV, it's time to start networking. You should be on all the important and popular professional networks including LinkedIn. Pay proper attention to your profile and start making connections. It is important to keep up with the relevant industry news and other influencers in the industry in order to develop market knowledge. It is also recommended to attend industry events in order to grow contacts.
Get in Touch with an Expert
Primat is a manpower specialist for oil and gas industry and they have a lot of experience in placing people in this industry. Our business revolves around people and we have discipline specific consultants with the required industry knowledge and expertise to help you discover the opportunities available to you in this industry and get you that perfect role. In addition, our company also offers various support solutions including insurance, emergency response services, fiscal compliance, payroll and others to minimize any concerns you may have regarding working on a new location or in the industry.
Torsi is a professional blogger.