Petroleum career candidates often focus their job search on the exploration and production companies. But the many firms that furnish vital supplies and services to these companies are aggressively seeking candidates as well.
Baker Hughes, for example, is “currently recruiting people to fill field engineering, design engineering (mechanical, electrical, chemical and software), geology and geoscience positions,” according to Lynice Wing, Director of Global Staffing for Baker Hughes. “We are seeking candidates with technical degrees, either directly from college or with work experience. We are recruiting globally and are seeking candidates from diverse backgrounds. We also are interested in hiring people who seek careers that involve the varied geographic work assignments offered by a growing international company.
“The growing demand for energy will drive a strong oil and gas industry for decades to come,” Wing added. “The oilfield service sector will offer exciting careers in developing technology and applying it to find and produce hydrocarbons. Baker Hughes is one of the most exciting companies in the industry, and we offer career opportunities for candidates worldwide.
“We are looking for people who are interested in developing and applying some very exciting technology,” Wing continued. “The oilfield service industry is involved in some of the most challenging and interesting technology disciplines, developing products and services that must operate under conditions that are more demanding than those found in NASA’s space program. Our technology also makes an extremely valuable contribution to meeting the world’s growing energy needs.”
Service firms offer challenges throughout the world. “In the United States, the most significant challenge is the shortage of engineering graduates, so everyone is competing for the same talent,” Wing said. “In addition, many young people in the United States mistakenly do not consider the oil and gas industry to be very ‘high-tech’ or exciting. Internationally, the problem is not so severe. We are actively recruiting internationally to localize our workforce wherever we operate, including the Middle East, Russia, the Asia Pacific region, in West Africa and Latin America. Young people in these regions are excited about the energy industry and the career opportunities it offers.
“Because of the projected growth of the industry and the aging of the current generation of energy industry managers, there is great opportunity for young people to advance quickly in the petroleum industry,” Wing stated.
