When considering or furthering a career in the oil and gas industry, many choose to focus their job-hunting efforts on large, multi-national corporations, believing that they offer quicker progression than smaller SMEs operating in the sector.
While many large operators can offer competitive salaries and attractive benefits, some aspiring individuals are looking for more out of a job, including making their voices heard.
Mike Rushby, 28, felt that after spending four years at Schlumberger working as a mechanical engineer, it was time to cast his net more widely and use his talents in a smaller company.
He said: “There is a perception that smaller companies can’t compete with larger ones in terms of career progression, salaries and benefits, which simply isn’t true. Not only that, the satisfaction of seeing your plans come to fruition, which you are more likely to in a smaller firm, is a real thrill.”
After six years in the industry and two years working at Aberdeen-based Zilift Ltd, Mike has recently been promoted to business unit head.
He commented: “In big companies, incremental improvements are made and workers are often pigeonholed into a role. Here, new ideas are encouraged and allowed to evolve, resulting in where we are now; with products which have the potential to change the face of the artificial lift industry. That’s exciting.”
An interest in design and passion for problem solving saw Mike achieve a mechanical-engineering degree from Bath University. Upon graduating, he was drawn to the energy sector, as it provided a challenging setting for him to use his entire skill set. His first job was as a mechanical engineer with Schlumberger in Gloucestershire.
Mike enjoyed the role but, after some consideration, decided to move on for a new challenge.
He said: “I really enjoyed my role at Schlumberger and learned so much, but I wanted to really be able to see the impact I was making.
“I knew, first and foremost, that I wanted to remain in oil and gas. Innovation is dying off in many other industries, but not in this sector. In order to exploit resources in untapped regions and to get more from existing, difficult reserves, the industry is constantly in need of new, cutting-edge technology. I wanted a role which would be actively involved in delivering on these very real needs for the industry.”
He accepted a project manager role with Zilift and relocated to Aberdeen to undertake his new position with the company. He has since seen strong career progression and development working at Zilift, and looks forward to furthering his impact within the company
He said: “Zilift was easily the most interesting company I applied to and it offered the best career-development path. I’m so glad I made the move to Aberdeen, it has been a real turning point in my career. Aberdeen is a fantastic place to live and work.”
Mike spent nearly 18 months as project manager before being promoted to product line manager. Showing real potential and dedication, Mike was given the role of business unit head earlier this year.
He said: “Progression within a smaller company can be rapid, should you show a high level of ability, passion and the desire to progress; something which I feel often goes a-miss in larger organisations.”
As business unit head, Mikes manages a team of nine and works to develop both his team and the technology. Mike has been instrumental to the recent company growth, which saw Zilift open a new facility in Bakersfield, California.
He says the most demanding part of the role is managing his time, as he is often pulled into other projects. Ensuring that the wide variety of technical and client-facing requirements are delivered can be challenging, but that’s part of the dynamism of his job, and is, “a nice problem to have”.