7 Things You Need to Know About a Career in Oil & Gas
The oil and gas industry is among the sectors with vast career opportunities for different professionals. Companies in this line of business are always looking for new talent who can contribute to the different cycles of their operations. Engineers, technical specialists, project managers, and even talent acquisition specialists are highly in demand in the oil and gas sector, so if you are considering pursuing a career in the industry, it’s best to be prepared.
Before you start looking for job opportunities and sending in your application, you need to do your research on what to expect in an oil and gas career. In this article, we give you the inside scoop on seven things you need to know about a career in oil and gas.
Every task is important
There’s a reason why a career in the oil and gas industry is high-paying. It involves a lot of tedious and challenging work, such as loading, wielding, hitching, etc. It requires an extensive amount of labor to carry on with day-to-day tasks. However, everything, no matter how laborious, is worth taking pride in. Everything that is accomplished, no matter how humble, is an important part of the process.
Being eager is more important than being experienced
While some companies require experience or a background in the industry for their applicants, most businesses put more significance on a candidate’s soft skills and character traits. No matter how inexperienced a person is, there is nothing that can compare to being proactive, eager, and willing to learn and lend a hand.
In the oil and gas industry, a huge bulk of the job is learned from actually doing them and interacting with peers and coworkers. Proactive candidates pave the way to their success in every task given.
Physical health and fitness matters
As we mentioned, a career in the oil and gas industry is going to involve a lot of heavy lifting and laborious work. Hence, it’s important to ensure that you are physically fit and keep track of your optimal health and wellness. This very nature of jobs in oil and gas requires workers to be in good physical shape so that they can perform their best and avoid injuries or health issues in the long run.
Risk management is crucial
The oil and gas industry workplace isn’t exactly the safest, which is why companies have health and safety protocols in place and conduct training for all their employees. The environment will be riddled with risks, and it’s important that workers are knowledgeable and trained on managing them.
The work schedule is not demanding
Most positions in the oil and gas industry are rotation-based. Engineers and other technical staff usually adopt a 28/28 day rotation job, which gives them ample time for rest and to pursue other interests. The work schedule in an oil and gas career is very different and more flexible than a typical 9 to 5 office job.
Problem-solving skills are valuable
The oil and gas workplace is not only fraught with risks, but it also is prone to scarce resources. Workers will need to be adept in problem-solving and know-how to think outside the box to come up with solutions and possibly unconventional fixes. But it is precisely this that makes the job exciting, challenging, and fulfilling.
It exposes you to different kinds of people from different backgrounds
The oil and gas industry is very diverse, so chances are, you will meet different kinds of people from all walks of life. This gives you a strong network and also allows you to learn about other cultures and beliefs.
A career in the oil and gas industry is exciting, fulfilling, and fosters professional growth. If you are thinking about pursuing an oil and gas career, browse our job portal to discover opportunities for you today.