Unless you have been living in a cave for the past couple of months, you will know that the oil industry is going through a tough time facing one of the worst downturns in its history. The consequences of such downturn are devastating for oil companies and the oil industry in general, but it is even worse for those working in the oil industry and those who want to join it.
Many layoffs have been taking place in the past few months, and more are expected to as a new reality of oil prices is emerging. Recent graduates and those who are still studying courses related to the oil and gas industry are facing a hard time securing jobs or internships. That means the number of job seekers is increasing and many are probably waiting out there for the market to recover.
Knowing the fact that the oil industry is cyclic by nature where a bust is followed by a boom, one must take advantage of the current downturn to develop his/her soft and technical skills, build a strong knowledge base about the oil industry, and create a wide network of connections within the industry. It is very important to do so, because when the competition is fierce, you need to distinguish yourself from the rest.
The good news is, the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) offers a great opportunity for those who want to invest in themselves, but the problem is; not many people know how to utilize SPE resources for their benefit. Hence this article is meant to give you few tips on how to better utilize SPE resources.
Before you go further, ask yourself one question; are you passionate about the oil industry? If the answer is yes, keep reading. If the answer is no, go find your passion and don’t waste your time.
1- Become SPE Member Or Renew Your Membership
If you have been busy while working or studying and didn’t have the time to become a member of SPE and utilize its resources, doing so in such a market downturn is not an option if you really want an entry ticket to the oil industry. Having SPE membership is a key to utilizing many of the SPE’s resources. It gives you free access to many of the SPE resources and entitles you to special discounts in many of other resources.
Therefore if you are not a member yet, go to SPE website and become a member today. And if you are already a member, don’t forget to renew your membership. For students, it is free of charge as Chevron is sponsoring students membership. And for professionals, it is not really that expensive especially when you know the value of such resources and how you can benefit from them.
2- Attend SPE Conferences, Workshops, Web Events, Forums and Training CoursesÂ
SPE sections and student chapters around the world organize many events such as conferences and exhibitions, workshops, forums, training courses and many more. Since my first year at the university up until now, I have attended many SPE international conferences, workshops and forums and I can tell you that it is worth the time and money I have spent on it.
For professional members, attending such events gives you a direct access to innovative technologies and technical knowledge. It is a chance to meet new people and expand your network, and it increases your chances of a better professional and career development. SPE membership offers you free-access and discounts on such events, so do utilize such benefits.
On the other hand, for students -based on my personal experience- attending SPE events especially conferences helps you to develop professionalism within you. I remember that every time I attended SPE conference while I was student, first thing I did was to forget that I was a student and act like a professional.
Such events help you learn how to communicate with the industry professionals, and build your professional connections. It is also a great chance to learn new knowledge that you can’t find at the university. Thanks to SPE for making such events free of charge for students, that is why students have no excuse for not utilizing such benefits.
3- Volunteer And Get Involved In SPE ActivitiesÂ
If you are a professional member, volunteering during a downturn has a long-term advantage for your career. First of all, it gives you a chance to enhance your leadership and communication skills while working with many other SPE members from across the world. It expands your network within the industry which increases your chances of landing a job. Therefore, search for volunteering opportunities in SPE and start volunteering. Find your SPE section’s YP Committee, and start contributing, join YP network discussions on career issues, ideas, and events in online forums.
And if you are a student, volunteering in SPE activities whether it is organized by SPE sections or SPE students chapters has many benefits for you. It helps you develop the habit of giving without expecting anything in return. It helps you learn the skills of time management, planning and organizing. It enhances your communication and leadership skills. And I want you to make sure you don’t miss any more chances of volunteering and being part of such activities.
I volunteered in countless SPE activities and events, and I can tell you that it is never a waste of time as few students may say. It helped me develop and cultivate many skills and expanded my network within the oil industry. I am really grateful for SPE, because it has helped me be who I am today.
4- Utilize SPE Publications And Online Resources
SPE publications cover all aspects of the oil and gas industry and they are considered the leading source of industry technical applications, issues and discoveries. As SPE member, you have a free access to the majority of those resources, so don’t make the status of “free of charge” leads you to underestimate the value of such resources. They are made free of charge simply because SPE cares about you.
You have 4 magazines, namely (1) JPT; which is about the E&P technology advancement and O&G industry issues (2) TWA; which covers E&P topics, career development and the future of O&G industry (3) Oil and Gas Facilities which focuses on projects, systems and technology, and (4) HSE Now; which covers HSE topics and issues. I highly recommend the first and second for students, and all the four magazines for professionals.
Another SPE publication is Peer-Review Journals, which covers topics on drilling and completion, production, reservoir engineering, and economics. It is a great source of technical knowledge that professionals and students as well can utilize. Furthermore, OnePetro -that has over 100,000 technical papers- offers professionals and students a chance to develop their technical knowledge. OnePetro is free of charge for students provided that their university is registered in OnePetro system, yet comes with a discount for professionals who are members in SPE.
Another SPE online resource is PetroWiki, which is the upstream oil and gas industry’s first fully-moderated wiki. Therefore instead of heading to Wikipedia, make PetroWiki your source of technical knowledge in the O&G industry. You also have other publications such as textbooks and eBooks which are not really free, but you can still get them at a discount if you are SPE member. Young Member Video Library is also another online resource that you should utilize which provides technical knowledge and career advices.
5- Utilize eMentoring Program
This program is very helpful for young professionals to gain industry insights and career guidance from an industry expert. University students can also take advantage of this program to gain academic direction from an experienced professional or a young professional. The program is also a chance for professionals to share their insights and experiences with the future leaders of the oil industry.
6- Search Job Opportunities at SPE
In participation with OilPro, SPE has developed a comprehensive jobs search engine to further help recent graduates and professionals find the latest opportunities in their field. Regardless of the sharp decline in job opportunities and the increase in jobs competition, do utilize this tool in your job search as the more hard work you put on it, the more chances you get.
7- Utilize SPE Competency Management Tool
This is by far one of the most useful tools provided by SPE. It allows SPE members to assess their current professional capabilities against one of 22 key E&P job competency models covering geosciences, reservoir engineers, production engineering and many more. It does not matter if you are a student or a professional, this tool will help you address competency gaps and areas to improve. It helps you direct your training focus to what you are in need for.
8- Apply for Scholarships and FellowshipsÂ
SPE offers many scholarships and fellowships for both undergraduates and graduate students to pursue degrees related to the oil and gas industry. Make sure to check SPE website and find out what are the requirements to apply for such scholarships and fellowships.
9- Nominate for SPE AwardsÂ
SPE awards is a chance for professionals who have made remarkable technical contribution, professional excellence, career achievement, service to colleagues, industry leadership, and public service to be recognized for their contributions by SPE. Do check about SPE Awards and how to be qualified for such awards in SPE website.
10- Connect with Professionals Around The World by SPE ConnectÂ
Many of the opportunities I have got so far came from people I have known via online platforms. One of those platforms is SPE Connect. SPE Connect offers you an easy and useful way to connect with your peers and other professionals in the oil and gas industry where you exchange technical knowledge, career experience and advices. It is a useful tool for both professionals and students to expand their network, improve their knowledge and share their experiences.
After reading this article you may have few questions in mind, one of them will surely be; if I follow all these tips, will it work out for me? And I can only reply you with one thing, it worked well for me, and it is still working, so it will do for you. One thing to remember is; never underestimate the outcomes of “Pay It Forward.” Start now and work hard on it, and you will be surprised how far it will take you.
