Written by Zak Targett
When I graduated from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) with a Petroleum Engineering degree, I was keen to put my passion for the oil and gas industry into practice. I was accepted into Origin Energy’s internship program in 2019, and subsequently its graduate programme in 2020, and received on-the-job training, rotations, mentorship, and unique development opportunities over the course of three years. My experience was so rewarding and enjoyable that I now work full-time for Origin as a production engineer on our CSG assets in Queensland.
Here’s my advice for getting the most out of a graduate program in the energy sector.
Take advantage of the many opportunities
As one of Australia’s leading energy organisations, Origin has a large network of talented and experienced people who work in various areas across the business. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to speak up and ask people in your team or in the wider business. Even if you assume your question is dumb, you will find that people at Origin are supportive and will make time to help you out if you ask them. The organisation also offers mentoring programs that connect employees with leaders to be guided, taught, and supported in their professional development. Experienced team members strive to inspire and engage the next generation to ensure they have the skills to meet future energy challenges.
Graduates are also provided with a training budget to invest in their learning and development. Make sure you take advantage of it. I used my allowance to sign up to SAGA Wisdom – an online teaching and content platform that provides training experience for oil and gas technical professionals, which I found very beneficial. After you graduate from university and start working in the real-world, you’ll discover that there is a lot more to the industry than what you were taught in class, so have an inquisitive attitude and learn as much as you can.
Stay calm
If you’re starting a new job at any place, it’s natural to worry if you’re contributing enough, getting along with everyone, and doing your job well. It can even be more overwhelming when you’re just getting started in your career as a university graduate.
You’ll likely be given challenging responsibilities and opportunities to build your career and learning experience. During my first year in the graduate program, I was given the responsibility to plan a completion for a workover on a well that involved making expensive decisions. I felt like I’d been thrown into the deep end but in a good way. Try not to let these opportunities overwhelm or stress you, and remember you have the support of your colleagues and team leaders you who are there to help you succeed (and peer review your work). Your colleagues know that you are starting out and still learning and don’t expect you to know all the answers. Stay positive and be open to asking questions and seeking help if you need it.
Connect with people in different areas of the business
Origin has operations across the energy supply chain, from gas development and production to energy generation and retail, and during the three-year graduate program you rotate across different roles and disciplines. Working on some projects involves collaborating with members of different teams. Avoid working within a silo and use these opportunities to interact with other people in other parts of the organisation and build relationships. This will help you feel more comfortable in your new work environment and may lead to future opportunities.
Who knows, during your graduate program you may learn about a part of the business you weren’t familiar with and decide to pursue that field as a career option. My selection process for my next rotations were often guided by interactions with people already working in those teams.
Working in the real world may be different to what you envisioned
Although I have touched upon this before, be prepared for the fact that even after years of university study there is still so much more to learn when you start your career in the real world.
When I started at Origin, I had to significantly expand my knowledge and understanding. This included learning about optimising, operating, troubleshooting issues, proposing new completions, liaising with stakeholders both internal and external, and even gaining insights into how CSG reservoirs operate and behave, among other aspects. To do your job, you also have to know lots of processes, procedures, and technologies which can take a while to get up to speed on. Be open to new experiences and willing to learn from others and, once again, don’t be afraid to ask questions or seek guidance when needed.
The transition from a graduate program to a successful career in the energy industry is an exciting and transformative experience. As a former graduate, I can attest to the immense value of such programs in shaping the professionals of tomorrow. Remember, every challenge is an opportunity, every task a chance to learn, and every connection a provides a new insight. I hope you find these tips helpful and the assist you in getting the most out of your graduate program experience and put you on your way to a successful career.
About the author
Zak Targett is a production engineer at Origin. He has a bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering from UNSW and has been working in the industry for over three years. He is interested in the latest developments and innovations in energy and resources.
