Oil and Gas Management: Networking, Skills, and Career Development

This report delves into the critical role of networking in the oil and gas management sector, emphasizing its impact on career development and business opportunities. It analyzes the author's experiences at industry exhibitions and workshops, highlighting the acquisition of essential skills like listening, communication, and internalization of information. The report outlines a plan for skill development, including a focus on management abilities and project management qualifications, alongside a discussion of professional qualifications needed to advance in the field. The author also reflects on a job description and interview process, demonstrating a practical understanding of the industry. The report concludes with a reflection on the importance of the oil and gas management program and its contribution to career growth. The report also includes an appendix with a confirmation of attendance letter.

Oil and Gas Management 1
OIL AND GAS MANAGEMENT
by [Name]
Course
Professor’s Name
Institution
Location of Institution
Date

Oil and Gas Management 2
Networking for career growth and development
Networking is very key in enhancing growth and development. More often, people grow by
interacting with their colleagues, learning the new things their friends do. In business, Turkina
(2018) acknowledge that social networks help stimulate business growth by generating
knowledge spillover, creating business opportunities, and reducing transaction costs. The
concept of networking in business also apply in career development. Moreover, Wolff and Moser
(2009) attribute networking to favorable performance rating where it positively relates to the
objective and subjective measure of career success. During occasions such as conferences, the
family gets together, individuals meet and get to know developments of their friends and
colleagues. It is during these opportunities that friends and acquaintances exchange business
cards which later results to businesses. People are able to learn services that colleague's offer
which forms part of a business opportunity.
Additionally, through networking, individuals are able to learn how to take advantage of
business opportunities available in oil and gas management. Gibson, Hardy III, and Ronald
Buckley (2014) found out that networking enables access to social capital and information
besides being of great professional value. Sharing career goals often lead to the creation of
business prospects (De Klerk 2010). When one highlight their disappointments, for example,
with a supplier, then it forms a basis of business opportunity if they are able to meet the demand.
As such, one gets to know of an opportunity by the others highlighting their plight. It is also
through these networking sessions that people learn of businesses that their friends, family
members offer. Therefore, networking is a great way of creating awareness among colleagues on
current and upcoming opportunities.

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Reflecting on networking experience
On February 28 and March 5 2018, I attended oil and gas exhibition and Waste
Management Workshop respectively. The theme of the gas event was collaboration, innovation,
and rejuvenation. More than forty presenters made their maiden presentations. Speaker after
speaker covered major energy facets in the region which included major industry players in oil
and gas. Furthermore, nuclear and offshore wind sectors delivered high-level information when
they availed current opportunities for the supply chain. Looking back on to that day, I tend to
agree with Cavilla (2017) when he observed that a reflection is a tool for creating a positive
correlation between academic performance and motivation. Concerning the waste management
workshop, Martin Bjerregaard from D3 Consultancy reviewed 5 key regulatory principles. The
principles reviewed are; more hazardous waste management, setting up and running active waste
management, what material inventory should include, how waste framework policy affect
decommissioning, and duty of care. Remembering what the guests spoke on are still fresh in my
mind. Therefore, I believe reflection is key to solidify what one learns.
Some of the skills I used during that event is listening to ability. I was very attentive to
learn about current opportunities I can venture into upon graduation. Besides, I also used my out-
going ability to interact with participants where I gained valuable experiences. One of the things
that stood out is that opportunities are in plenty, especially export of oil and gas in African
countries. Through my ability to internalize information, I have now decided where I am going
to after completing my studies. I also took advantage of my communication skills to approach
the organizers where we strike a deal to come and give some public lecture to the department at
our college grounds.
Developing skills set

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I can use oil and gas management degree program to develop a skill set for my desired
career by nurturing and horning my management abilities. After completing this course, I intend
to become a manager in one of the oil and gas companies. From this degree, I am learning
customized management to handle the oil and gas sector. I am using this opportunity to
strengthen my management and leadership skills, communication skills, collaboration skills,
critical thinking skills, financial management skills, and project management skills (American
Management Association 2018). For example, upon becoming a manager, I will use critical
thinking and project management skill to invest in areas that will benefit the company both
socially and economically. Collaboration skills will also ensure that I relate with other
stakeholders holistically to improve and grow the industry.
Professional qualification
Besides my degree in oil and gas management, I wish to do a program in project
management. This program will position me to grab more opportunities owing to various
investments that are currently available. In particular, I will acquire additional skills related to
managing quality, defining plans and organizing activities, enforcing and encouraging teamwork,
maximize resource use, managing integration, change management, and managing quality.
According to Reid (2014), project management enhances accountability of managers, leadership
skills, communication, resource management which encompass; human resource, financial
resource, material, and time. Ideally, as an aspiring manager, this professional course is a must
do.
The rationale for undertaking this course will be to enhance my management abilities and
familiarize my career direction. Specifically, I shall sharpen my management skills in a bid to
stay ahead of the industry competition.

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The plan for undertaking project management
I plan to take this course on a part-time basis after completing my undergraduate
program. As such, I will be studying and working simultaneously. This will enable me to grow
and amass knowledge as I climb the career ladder. Taking this course will strengthen my resume
and provide personal satisfaction. It shall improve my career advancement opportunities,
increase my earning potential, and enable me to inspire impact in my working organization and
thus become a preferred candidate. It will also help improve my value to every employer
considering that it is a good combination.
Additionally, a project management professional program shall enable me to gain respect
from my colleagues and superiors as well as increasing my chances of getting more job
opportunities to advance my career. Therefore, I will be one of the top talents the company will
love to work with by inspiring performance and growth in the organization. Employers will also
identify and differentiate my ability compared with my peers because of a great combination of
career path. Moreover, employees often look for top talents, those who have a sense of direction
to drive their growth agenda. With all the skills, I will be one of the preferred candidates more so
due to self-confidence and drive I possess.
Current job description
According to Indeed (2018), SGS is seeking to recruit an operator in their oil and gas
company. The successful candidate will work full time on a permanent basis, in Newport. SDS is
a global leader and innovator in certification, testing, verification, and inspection services. The

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specification for the job includes; complying with the ISPS code every day and ensuring that
workers are checked whenever they enter or leave the facility. Another responsibility is general
housekeeping duties, participating in plant emergency exercise, and ensuring generation of
correct paperwork and given to RTW drivers. Besides, other tasks are ensuring that correct grade
of bitumen is always loaded onto RTW's, assisting drivers in a safe loading of bitumen products
while understanding and operating within control standards in the working area. Additionally,
the ideal candidate should maintain paperwork and facility logs and ensure concise handovers,
monitoring vessels positions alongside gangway, the ship moorings, the jetty, and general ship
management. Apart from the responsibilities mentioned, the ideal candidate should meet the
following specifications; have a good working knowledge of jetty, marine, and terminal
operations. The successful candidate should have the ability to undertake physically demanding
tasks and operate outdoors.
Moreover, the job requires a candidate with the following skills; able to work under
minimum supervision and a degree of autonomy, be flexible in adopting change and work
priorities as well demonstrate effective interpersonal skills, be a team player between colleagues
and clients. Another required skill is having a good level of numeracy and literacy. Furthermore,
the required skills are part of my broad range of skill highlighted in my curriculum vitae (CV)
and LinkedIn profile. For example, I have the following skills, management, team player,
listening, effective communication, flexible, mediation, leadership, strategic planning, project
management, business process improvement, creativity, conflict resolution, self-motivation and
decision making.

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Reflection on the interview process
During my previous interview, I performed tremendously well because I did some
background check on the company. I answered every question with a lot of ease. I used my
communication and listening skills to my advantage. I engaged the interviewee in a professional
manner, with more confidence. I can say that I performed exceptionally well during the interview
since I applied the STAR technique. For example, this is how I responded to the questions.
STAR METHOD INTERVIEW
Q Why should we hire you?
S I am very passionate about what I do and go an extra mile to make sure every task assigned
deliver results.
T Considering that this job is demanding, I will explore my potential to the maximum. .
A I can manage the tasks before since I have handled similar tasks before.
R With such massive experience, I will deliver results which will see the company grow its
earnings.
Reflection on what I have learned
Oil and gas management is a program I hold dearly. It has enabled me to interact with
market leaders during exhibitions. I am seeing myself as one of the sorts of managers in years to
come. Moreover, giving credit to Moon (2013), reflection is a way of enabling one to remember

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what they learned and draw meaningful lessons from them. In that line of thought, oil and gas
management has been very important to my career growth and development.
The knowledge I have acquired is immeasurable and will guide me throughout my career in
managing projects related to oil and gas and beyond. I am now eager to embark on service
delivery and drive performance of various companies. Even though I have performed well in this
program, there are things I need to adjust, for example, being over-ambitious. I feel like I can
now run the international companies. But unfortunately, there are steps up the career ladder
which I will have to adhere. I also believe that this program should incorporate safety
certification course so that graduates can start practicing immediately upon completion.

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References
American Management Association, 2018. 6 Managerial Skills that will make you indispensable.
[Online] Available from: http://www.amanet.org/training/promotions/six-skills-for-managers-
and-leaders.aspx. (Accessed March 25 2018).
Cavilla, D., 2017. The Effects of Student Reflection on Academic Performance and Motivation.
SAGE Open, 7(3), p.2158244017733790.
De Klerk, S., 2010. The importance of networking as a management skill. South African journal
of business management, 41(1), pp.37-49.
Gibson, C., H. Hardy III, J. and Ronald Buckley, M., 2014. Understanding the role of
networking in organizations. Career Development International, 19(2), pp.146-161.
Indeed, 2018. Operator, oil and gas. [Online] Available from:
https://www.indeed.co.uk/viewjob?
jk=a8a9c9aaaa893188&tk=1c9g439pi9momd2q&from=serp&vjs=3 (Accessed March 25 2018).
Moon, J.A., 2013. Reflection in learning and professional development: Theory and practice.
Routledge.
Turkina, E., 2018. The importance of networking to entrepreneurship: Montreal's artificial
intelligence cluster and its born-global firm Element AI.
Wolff, H.G. and Moser, K., 2009. Effects of networking on career success: a longitudinal study.
Journal of Applied Psychology, 94(1), p.196.

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Appendices
Confirmation of Attendance Letter
Mr. Michael Juma (replace with your name)
GSM London
London
20th February, 2018.
Mr. Keith Noton
Event Organizer
Oil & Gas UK Events
Dear Sir,
Ref: Confirming on the attendance to the SNS2018 Collaboration, Innovation &
Rejuvenation
I am delighted to be considered and invited to be part of 2018 SNS2018 Collaboration,
Innovation & Rejuvenation event and I would like to confirm that I will be attending the oil and
gas event at Norfolk Showground, Norwich.
I am well and aware of the topics that will be discussed during the event and I am also aware of
the theme.
I am looking forward to attending the event. Am very grateful for the invite and I hope to gain
more.
Sincerely
Michael Juma (replace)

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OIL & GAS
6th Floor East, Portland House
Bressenden Place
London, SW1E 5BH
This letter serves to confirm that: Michael Juma (replace) attended Waste Management
Workshop on 5th March 2018 at Decom North Sea Office, Westhill.
This document is intending to verify that the above mentioned individual attended the waste
management workshop on the specific date indicated above. Verification of attendance will be
confirmed through issuance of participation of certificate at a later date by OIL & GAS, UK.
Mr. Keith Noton ………………….. Date…………………
Event Organizer

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Screenshot of current job description