A recap of the Oil & Gas Industry panel that happened on March 3, 2021.
Panelists:
What changes do you anticipate the oil and gas industry undergoing in the next 5-10 years?
All panelists stressed the role of technology in the coming years. Additionally, the industry will be focused on reducing carbon emissions, clean energy and investment in green energy technologies, “electrification” of the industry through AI and high-tech sensing equipment. Emphasis was placed on the role of data analytics in many aspects of the industry.
With the current political climate, how do you view the future of the oil and gas industry?
Each of these companies has survived and thrived in many different political climates and this is no different. However, there is no denying there is a relatively abrupt change in federal policy. Also, social forces are driving environmental decisions, focus on green energy and renewables. The industry is partnering with trade associations to engage with their government partners to help them understand the impact of proposed regulations.
How is the industry responding to renewable energy?
The industry is investing in renewable energy and research in renewable energy while still working to support the existing fossil-fuel based economies of the world. They recognize that the future will demand more energy from renewable sources. Examples currently underway are using solar-to-steam power and partnering with dairy farmers. Nobody sees a total shift away from fossil-fuel energy and instead they foresee an “AND” future instead of an “OR” future.
The fact is that as the world population continues to grow, energy demand will continue to grow. The prediction is that total energy demand will increase over time and there will be a need for both renewable and traditional energy.
The hiring impact of this shift to more renewable energy sources is an increased need for data scientists and computer scientists while a slight decrease in the need for petroleum engineers and chemical engineers.
Is there any job security in the oil and gas industry? It seems very volatile.
The industry was hit very hard by the pandemic when personal car travel, air travel and other consumers energy consumption all but shut down. Some of the companies went through layoffs in 2020 as a result, reducing overall hiring and reducing college hiring. Some companies were able to shift to a virtual Summer 2020 internship model and some were not, based on the work the interns were intending to do. The ones that were able to host summer interns were pleasantly surprised at how well it went.
The comment was made that if an internship is a test-run of the real world, then the past summer virtual internship experiences are very much legitimate opportunities because the virtual component is not going away.
It is a cyclic industry, but they know they need to continue hiring college interns and grads because they need to maintain a pipeline. The majority plan to continue hiring entry level positions and then promote from within. The goal is to even out the entry level up/down hiring swings over the longer term. Also, some were in the process of bringing back workers that had been let go in 2020 now that the market is picking back up.
With leaner companies and lower levels of hiring domestically, are there more opportunities overseas?
Opportunities are available both domestically and overseas. Most of the panelists did not personally hire for the overseas locations or didn’t have an international presence. Students should apply through the career portal corresponding to the country they are interested in. These portals do not share information typically so the student must apply through each separate portal to be considered.
Tips for freshman/sophomore students seeking an internship. Is there different advice for junior/senior students?
Freshman/Sophomore students: Use the resources available through the career center. Start as a freshman and keep going back. Get involved in organizations, specifically ones related to your major. This gives you exposure to different ideas and professionals that you wouldn’t otherwise have. Even if companies aren’t hiring freshman and sophomore students, organizations and events like this panel give you an opportunity to network, connect and maintain those connections over the years. Clean up your social media footprint!
Junior/Senior students: All of the above! Also, find chances to lead projects, organizations, etc. It’s important to have these types of experiences on your resume. Complete your LinkedIn profile. Networking is really key to landing internships and full-time positions.
Does career advice differ between geology, business and other non-engineering majors?
While many companies have different recruiting teams based on discipline or college, for the most part, the behavioral interview portion will be the same. The advice for freshman/sophomore and junior/senior students (above) remains the same here.
What are key qualifications for an engineer seeking to start a career in the oil and gas industry?
Some companies have minimum GPAs before they will consider an applicant. Either way, grades are really important because you need technical competency. What all panelists mentioned was how important soft skills are. Students need to be able to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing. This was stressed as a “must have” skill. It’s nice to have data analytics and/or computer science competency as well since so many things are going in that direction.
Some companies are changing their hiring guidelines after taking a “look back” at successful employee hires and what skills they have. Again, an emphasis on data and communication skills based on their findings.
As a business major, what skills would set me up for success in the oil & gas industry?
Data analytics is so important in business roles. Many companies look to MBAs for their business hiring. But undergrad or grad student, brush up on your technical skills to set yourself apart.
How is COVID impacting upcoming internship and co-op opportunities?
Companies are approaching Summer 2021 internships in different ways. Some may continue to be virtual since the regular workforce is still virtual. Others are planning a majority or 100% virtual internship, depending on the job functions. Everything is of course dependent on what the situation looks like as summer draws closer.
Written by Desiree Wilson, Director of Employment Services, Texas A&M Career Center
Panelists:
- Mark Gordon, Senior Manager of Discipline Engineering, Motiva
- Chris Lolley, Heavy Oil Hub Leader, Chevron
- Amanda Martins, University Recruiting Specialist, Halliburton
- Jessica Williams, Senior Advisor Early Careers Talent Acquisition, bp
What changes do you anticipate the oil and gas industry undergoing in the next 5-10 years?
All panelists stressed the role of technology in the coming years. Additionally, the industry will be focused on reducing carbon emissions, clean energy and investment in green energy technologies, “electrification” of the industry through AI and high-tech sensing equipment. Emphasis was placed on the role of data analytics in many aspects of the industry.
With the current political climate, how do you view the future of the oil and gas industry?
Each of these companies has survived and thrived in many different political climates and this is no different. However, there is no denying there is a relatively abrupt change in federal policy. Also, social forces are driving environmental decisions, focus on green energy and renewables. The industry is partnering with trade associations to engage with their government partners to help them understand the impact of proposed regulations.
How is the industry responding to renewable energy?
The industry is investing in renewable energy and research in renewable energy while still working to support the existing fossil-fuel based economies of the world. They recognize that the future will demand more energy from renewable sources. Examples currently underway are using solar-to-steam power and partnering with dairy farmers. Nobody sees a total shift away from fossil-fuel energy and instead they foresee an “AND” future instead of an “OR” future.
The fact is that as the world population continues to grow, energy demand will continue to grow. The prediction is that total energy demand will increase over time and there will be a need for both renewable and traditional energy.
The hiring impact of this shift to more renewable energy sources is an increased need for data scientists and computer scientists while a slight decrease in the need for petroleum engineers and chemical engineers.
Is there any job security in the oil and gas industry? It seems very volatile.
The industry was hit very hard by the pandemic when personal car travel, air travel and other consumers energy consumption all but shut down. Some of the companies went through layoffs in 2020 as a result, reducing overall hiring and reducing college hiring. Some companies were able to shift to a virtual Summer 2020 internship model and some were not, based on the work the interns were intending to do. The ones that were able to host summer interns were pleasantly surprised at how well it went.
The comment was made that if an internship is a test-run of the real world, then the past summer virtual internship experiences are very much legitimate opportunities because the virtual component is not going away.
It is a cyclic industry, but they know they need to continue hiring college interns and grads because they need to maintain a pipeline. The majority plan to continue hiring entry level positions and then promote from within. The goal is to even out the entry level up/down hiring swings over the longer term. Also, some were in the process of bringing back workers that had been let go in 2020 now that the market is picking back up.
With leaner companies and lower levels of hiring domestically, are there more opportunities overseas?
Opportunities are available both domestically and overseas. Most of the panelists did not personally hire for the overseas locations or didn’t have an international presence. Students should apply through the career portal corresponding to the country they are interested in. These portals do not share information typically so the student must apply through each separate portal to be considered.
Tips for freshman/sophomore students seeking an internship. Is there different advice for junior/senior students?
Freshman/Sophomore students: Use the resources available through the career center. Start as a freshman and keep going back. Get involved in organizations, specifically ones related to your major. This gives you exposure to different ideas and professionals that you wouldn’t otherwise have. Even if companies aren’t hiring freshman and sophomore students, organizations and events like this panel give you an opportunity to network, connect and maintain those connections over the years. Clean up your social media footprint!
Junior/Senior students: All of the above! Also, find chances to lead projects, organizations, etc. It’s important to have these types of experiences on your resume. Complete your LinkedIn profile. Networking is really key to landing internships and full-time positions.
Does career advice differ between geology, business and other non-engineering majors?
While many companies have different recruiting teams based on discipline or college, for the most part, the behavioral interview portion will be the same. The advice for freshman/sophomore and junior/senior students (above) remains the same here.
What are key qualifications for an engineer seeking to start a career in the oil and gas industry?
Some companies have minimum GPAs before they will consider an applicant. Either way, grades are really important because you need technical competency. What all panelists mentioned was how important soft skills are. Students need to be able to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing. This was stressed as a “must have” skill. It’s nice to have data analytics and/or computer science competency as well since so many things are going in that direction.
Some companies are changing their hiring guidelines after taking a “look back” at successful employee hires and what skills they have. Again, an emphasis on data and communication skills based on their findings.
As a business major, what skills would set me up for success in the oil & gas industry?
Data analytics is so important in business roles. Many companies look to MBAs for their business hiring. But undergrad or grad student, brush up on your technical skills to set yourself apart.
How is COVID impacting upcoming internship and co-op opportunities?
Companies are approaching Summer 2021 internships in different ways. Some may continue to be virtual since the regular workforce is still virtual. Others are planning a majority or 100% virtual internship, depending on the job functions. Everything is of course dependent on what the situation looks like as summer draws closer.
Written by Desiree Wilson, Director of Employment Services, Texas A&M Career Center