An Aberdeen-based personnel logistics co-ordinator has used the skillset honed through her love of playing pool to hit the ground running after getting her first break in the oil and gas industry.
Donna McComb, of Aberdeen provider of ROVs and survey services Specialist Subsea Services (S3), previously worked in a similar role within the health and local government sectors and has spent the past 15 months learning about the industry and providing personnel logistical administration support to the company’s offshore and onshore projects.
To help with her transition into the sector, the talented pool player has tapped into some of the skills she has developed throughout her playing career; a career which recently saw the Shetland-native compete as part of the Scotland Ladies B team at the 2014 European Championships in Bridlington.
After a five-day round robin, the team dispatched both England and Wales to come out victorious and Donna believes there are a number of interchangeable skills between her day job and hobby that allow her to be successful in both.
She said: “Working in personnel logistics comes with its own set of challenges and it takes a very distinct set of skills to overcome those that you face on a day-to-day basis. It’s the same when playing pool in a competitive environment and I’ve found that there are definitely similarities with the skillset that I use in both.
“My role at S3 involves arranging all national and international travel for the company’s ever expanding offshore and office-based staff, organising visas and vaccinations when required. As you can imagine, travel plans can often change at the last minute so making new arrangements to tight deadlines requires a certain level of calmness and positivity – no matter how big a problem it may appear, you have to believe it can be overcome.
“I try and adopt the same positive approach to when I’m playing pool. In the semi-finals of the European Championships against England, the team were down 10-3 in the race to 11 frames to win the match. To get back into the match, we had to muster all of our team spirit and by remaining calm, focused and determined to not give up, we managed to win eight frames in a row to win through to the final.
“Stepping into the oil and gas industry from previously working within the local government and health sectors has been challenging but it’s a step that I’ve really enjoyed making. Working in logistics, you really need to think one step ahead and by utilising this every time I play pool by trying to outthink your opponent’s next move, I really do think I’ve benefited from using my hobby to shape the approach I take in my work career.”
S3 is an Aberdeen-based provider of ROVs and survey services to the oil and gas and renewable industries. Adopting a “life of field” approach, S3 offers its customers a comprehensive package of services that includes: offshore installation and construction support, IRM, decommissioning and precise positioning and surveys for construction vessels and drilling rigs.