Why you should pursue a career in energy

Some 35 years ago, I was a young engineer fresh out of university. With my chemical engineering degree in hand, a healthy amount of ambition and an eagerness to find my place in the world, I began my career at ExxonMobil – working on an offshore production platform in the Gulf of Mexico.

If you had told this same young lady (who grew up everywhere from Wisconsin to Pennsylvania to Alabama) that she would one day be living and working atop thousands of feet of water in an ocean basin, she would have balked at the idea. But once I was out on that platform, I quickly learned to trust my instincts and approach my job in an authentic manner.

Working in the harsh offshore environment as one of very few women in the “first wave” of female engineers, I found those early rotations in the Gulf of Mexico to be admittedly pretty tough. But I soon understood that a strong work ethic and a desire to learn were not just a means by which to get the job done. I was forging the attitude I needed to pursue rewarding career opportunities in the energy industry.

Why the energy industry?

It’s no secret that the energy sector is often volatile. The industry’s prosperity is closely tied to the price of oil. And events like the COVID-19 pandemic (which resulted in retraction) and the tightening global energy supply that’s causing the current growth are good examples of both the unforeseen and the predictable ups and downs of the wider world that quickly impact our industry. So why did I embark on a career in this field?

Simply put, the energy industry is a gratifying place to work. I often hear others mention positive aspects such as the “stimulating and meaningful work” as well as the “opportunity to travel and work overseas.” And I couldn’t agree more.

?In my own career journey, I was able to advance into positions with increasing responsibilities in facilities around the world, and I’m proud to say that technology and innovation remained a constant in the work I was doing. But while I was putting in hard work, I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the mentoring and support I received from the talented people with whom I have worked.

?At ExxonMobil, our people can steer their technical learning as broadly or as deeply as they wish. For me – and particularly when I took on a leadership role – this approach has reciprocal benefits, ensuring that we are always surrounded by extraordinary talent that values continual learning while also allowing our team members to discover career paths that reflect their interests.

Flexible career paths in an ever-changing market

?According to Rystad Energy, oil and gas employment in the U.S. will grow by 12.5% this year, rising from around 863,000 total jobs to 971,000 by the end of 2022 (after losing 200,000 jobs during the pandemic). Clearly, the job market is looking up for the energy sector, but could another downturn affect those numbers?

As I’ve said above, uncertainty is the nature of our industry. But it’s also looking more and more likely that the evolving needs of the energy transition could help to offset future disruptions in the job market. The energy industry – with our knowledge, our hard work and our willingness to learn – is an incredible resource that will be tapped to solve many of the complex challenges of the energy transition. And we are already helping lead society to a lower-carbon future by developing and driving new technologies like carbon capture and storage, low-emission biofuels and advanced recycling.

Something new to learn every day

This industry is a dynamic and rewarding place to work. In my own career – whether I was working long days on a rig, exploring digital solutions remotely or developing new markets on the other side of the world – I approached each role with the same attitude I carried with me on that platform out in the Gulf of Mexico: Work hard and remember that you’ve always got more to learn.

It’s a perspective that’s paid dividends in my personal and professional growth. And it’s one that I still apply every day in my role as President of the ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company, where I am working with the most amazing people and learning more about the innovative technologies that will carry our industry into the future.