Energy Sector Heroes ~ Careers in Oil & Gas, Sustainability & Renewable Energy

Whether you're a graduate, an aspiring manager, or already leading teams in the energy sector, there comes a point in every career when technical knowledge alone isn't enough. Managing people, making difficult decisions, building trust, and creating opportunities often become just as important as industry expertise.In this episode, I sit down with Philip Lewis, who has spent more than 30 years working across commercial management, business development, general management and consultancy roles throughout the energy, offshore and marine sectors.We discuss how careers can evolve in unexpected directions, what it takes to move into leadership positions, and why building strong networks and support systems matters at every stage of your career. Philip also shares practical perspectives on decision-making, mentoring, managing performance, developing local teams, and building businesses from the ground up.We also explore some of the realities of leadership that are rarely discussed openly, including handling difficult conversations, supporting underperforming team members, and balancing accountability with empathy.🎯 Three Key Takeaways🔹 Leadership is built through experience, not just promotionPhilip explains that stepping into management is rarely about having every skill already mastered. Much of leadership comes from learning on the job, developing judgement, and surrounding yourself with trusted people who can challenge and support your thinking.🔹 Good decisions rely on the right informationRather than relying on instinct alone, Philip discusses the importance of collecting relevant data, simplifying complexity, and avoiding "data for data's sake." Strong leaders combine facts, experience and input from others before making decisions.🔹 Resilience comes from how you respond to setbacksThroughout the conversation, Philip reflects on career challenges, industry downturns and personal health issues. His approach focuses on adapting, creating new opportunities, and concentrating on what can be controlled rather than dwelling on circumstances.🚀 Three Actionable Takeaways✅ Build your network before you need itInvest time in developing genuine professional relationships, mentors and trusted advisers. These connections often become valuable sounding boards when facing important decisions.✅ Ask more questionsWhether you're a graduate or an experienced professional, curiosity remains one of the fastest ways to learn. Don't be afraid to challenge assumptions, seek clarification and explore different ways of solving problems.✅ Take ownership of your developmentLook beyond your job description. Volunteer for additional responsibilities, learn new skills and actively seek feedback. Career growth often comes from the work you do beyond the minimum expectations.Mentioned in this episode:Granola AIHead to go.granola.ai/michelle for a full one‑month trial of Granola.

If you work in energy whether you're early in your career, considering working overseas, or thinking about where the sector is heading this conversation matters to you.Many of us started in oil and gas, new builds, commissioning, or brownfield projects. Now the landscape is shifting. Decommissioning is accelerating globally. Sustainability expectations are rising. International mobility is more complex. And younger engineers are asking different questions about purpose and long term opportunity.In this episode, I speak with Francis Norman, CEO and Managing Director of the Centre of Decommissioning Australia (CODA). We explore how he moved from traditional engineering into decommissioning, why this space is far more technically complex than many realise, and what advice he would give to engineers starting out today.We also talk honestly about working abroad, building confidence early in your career, and why flexibility may be the most valuable skill you can develop in the energy sector.🔎 What We CoverWhy decommissioning should be viewed as its own industry not just the “end of life” phaseThe technical complexity behind plugging wells, removing platforms, and dismantling offshore infrastructureWhy unknowns and incomplete documentation are part of the engineering challengeThe long term global outlook for decommissioning careersThe realities of working abroad including the self doubt and growth that come with itWhy energy careers in the future will demand flexibility across hydrocarbons, renewables, and carbon capture🎯 Three Key Takeaways🔹 Decommissioning is technically demanding and long termThis is not a short cycle phase. It will span decades globally and requires deep engineering judgement under uncertainty.🔹 Early career engineers should prioritise learning over positioningYour first 4–5 years are about mastering fundamentals, not chasing titles.🔹 International experience accelerates maturityWorking abroad forces decision making, builds resilience, and expands perspective in ways office based roles rarely do.🛠️ Three Actionable Takeaways✅ If you are in new build or brownfield ask to shadow a decommissioning scope.Exposure builds optionality. Even one project gives you transferable experience.✅ In your first five years, say “yes” more often than “no.”Secondments, site work, overseas assignments these experiences compound over time.✅ Broaden your definition of “energy.”Oil, gas, offshore wind, carbon capture, decommissioning, hydrogen your core engineering skillset can transfer across all of them.The energy sector is changing, but the need for skilled engineers is not disappearing. The engineers who thrive will be those who stay curious, technically grounded, and adaptable.Mentioned in this episode:Granola AIHead to go.granola.ai/michelle for a full one‑month trial of Granola.

If you work in energy, engineering, construction, or infrastructure, this episode matters because long term careers are rarely built on technical ability alone. They’re built through learning, communication, teamwork, adaptability, and knowing how to grow through change. In this conversation, I speak with Segun Faniran, founder of Construct Africa, about building an international career, mentoring future talent, and how young professionals can create real value in the workplace. Segun shares how he moved from civil engineering in Nigeria into global consulting, academia, and leadership roles across Australia, the Middle East, and beyond. We discuss why working in different regions broadens your thinking, why mentorship matters at every career stage, and why asking questions can often accelerate growth faster than pretending to know everything. We also explore how AI may reshape engineering productivity, and why the human side of the profession — judgement, communication, collaboration, and leadership — will remain essential.🔑 Three Key Takeaways🔹 Never stop learning What you learn in university is a starting point. Real progress comes from staying curious, adapting to change, and learning continuously throughout your career.🔹 Technical skill alone is not enough Strong careers are built by adding value beyond your core role — helping teams, improving processes, communicating clearly, and supporting the wider business.🔹 Safe leadership builds better people The best leaders create environments where people can ask questions, take initiative, make mistakes, and grow with confidence.🎯 Three Actionable Takeaways✅ Ask one experienced person in your workplace for advice this month. A simple conversation can save you years of trial and error.✅ Volunteer for one initiative outside your day job. It could be a presentation, process improvement, graduate network, or team project. Visibility matters.✅ Review one recent mistake as a lesson. Write down what happened, what you learned, and what you’ll do differently next time.Mentioned in this episode:Granola AIHead to go.granola.ai/michelle for a full one‑month trial of Granola.

If you work in energy, are studying for a technical career, or you’re trying to build a long term future in a changing market, this episode matters. I sat down with Daniel O’Meara, President of Geo2 Flow, to talk about what creates staying power in this sector, how technical careers evolve, and why mentorship still matters more than many people realise. Daniel shares how he moved from academia into the energy industry, built a specialist software business with global reach, and worked across multiple countries and disciplines over several decades. We also discuss how graduates can think more carefully about further study, choosing the right mentors, and building practical skills that employers value. This conversation is a useful reminder that careers are rarely linear. Sometimes the best opportunities come from being curious, staying adaptable, and learning how different parts of the industry connect.🔑 Three Key Takeaways🔹 Technical ability alone is not enough Strong careers are often built on communication, commercial awareness, and the ability to work across disciplines—not just deep technical knowledge. 🔹 Mentors can save years of trial and error A good mentor can help you focus on what matters, avoid poor choices, and understand how the real industry works beyond university or theory. 🔹 Global thinking creates opportunities Energy is an international sector. Being open to new markets, cultures, and ways of working can widen your options significantly. ✅ Three Actionable Takeaways🛠️ Review your current skill gaps Ask yourself: what would make me more employable in the next 12 months—technical tools, leadership skills, communication, or commercial understanding?🛠️ Find one credible mentor Look for someone with real industry experience whose career path you respect. Ask thoughtful questions and learn from their mistakes as well as their wins.🛠️ Think beyond your local market Research where investment is happening globally. Sometimes the best move is being willing to look outside your immediate area.🎧 Why Listen?If you’re a graduate, mid career professional, or experienced specialist thinking about your next move, this episode offers practical thoughts on career durability, learning, and staying relevant in a sector that keeps changing.Mentioned in this episode:Granola AIHead to go.granola.ai/michelle for a full one‑month trial of Granola.

If you are building a career in energy — whether you’re a graduate, mid career professional, or senior leader — this conversation matters.The sector is evolving fast. Expectations around safety, sustainability, leadership and reputation have shifted dramatically. The pace of change is increasing. And for many of you listening, the question is no longer just “How do I succeed?” but “How do I build something meaningful and transferable?”In this episode, I speak with Jamie Young, former Risk Director at BP, who shares reflections from a 40 year career across oil & gas and mining.Jamie started as an apprentice in the North Sea and went on to lead global risk methodologies supporting executive leadership. Along the way, he experienced near fatal incidents, witnessed major industry disasters, and helped shape strategic responses to events that changed the sector permanently.We talk about what has genuinely improved in energy — particularly around safety culture and systems thinking — but also about the new challenges facing the industry: instability, cyclical restructures, technology disruption, and the importance of personal reputation.This is a grounded discussion about purpose, risk, leadership and how to show up well in a high stakes sector.💡 Three Key Takeaways🔹 Purpose isn’t abstract — it’s built from what you care aboutJamie’s sense of purpose didn’t appear overnight. It emerged from lived experience — from seeing what goes wrong and deciding to contribute to preventing it. Purpose is often found at the intersection of what affects you deeply and where you can add distinctive value.🔹 The industry is safer — but less stableOil and gas has made major strides in process safety, systems thinking, and operating discipline. However, career stability is no longer guaranteed. Reorganisations, volatility and existential pressures mean professionals must think long term and transferable.🔹 Reputation now matters more than everDoing good work is essential — but it must also be visible. In a cyclical industry, how you are perceived, how you collaborate, and what you are known for can influence opportunities and resilience.🎯 Three Actionable Takeaways📝 Define what you want to be known forWrite down three words that describe the professional you want to be. Align your behaviour and decisions to those words. Review them annually.🗣 Practise a 90 second professional summaryBe able to clearly and succinctly explain who you are, what you stand for, and the value you bring. This is essential for interviews, networking, and internal visibility.🌍 Build a network before you need oneAttend events, connect on LinkedIn, follow up with short conversations. Relationships built early provide optionality later — especially in a cyclical sector.Mentioned in this episode:Granola AIHead to go.granola.ai/michelle for a full one‑month trial of Granola.

If you’re a student, graduate, or early career professional trying to find your place in the energy sector, this episode matters because it breaks down what actually drives career progression beyond qualifications and job titles.In this conversation, I speak with Mona Setoodeh, an LNG specialist and Vice President, about how careers are really built in this industry from mentorship and self advocacy to hiring decisions and team dynamics.What stood out to me is that progression isn’t just about technical ability. It’s about how you position yourself, how you think, and how you show up in the room especially when it feels uncomfortable.We also get into the reality of interviews, what hiring managers are actually looking for, and how to create long term opportunities rather than just chasing the next role.🔑 Key Takeaways🧠 Your technical skills get you in your mindset keeps you progressingEmployers expect to teach you the technical side early on. What they’re really assessing is resilience, communication, and how you approach problems.🤝 Mentorship isn’t about being told what to doThe most valuable mentors help you think differently, not just give answers. They create space for you to take risks while knowing support is there if needed.📣 Self advocacy is a learned skill, not a personality traitSpeaking up doesn’t come naturally to everyone, but it can be developed through awareness, preparation, and understanding how people respond in professional environments.✅ Actionable Takeaways🎯 Define your direction earlyBe clear on what you want long term and communicate it. Even if it changes, having intent helps others support your progression.🔍 Prepare differently for interviewsDon’t focus only on technical answers. Think about how you demonstrate resilience, teamwork, and decision making under pressure.🌐 Build your network consistentlyStay connected with people over time. Opportunities often come through relationships, not just applications.Mentioned in this episode:Granola AIHead to go.granola.ai/michelle for a full one‑month trial of Granola.

Many of the students and early career professionals who listen to Energy Sector Heroes are trying to answer the same questions:How do you actually get noticed in the energy industry? How do you compete when there are hundreds of applicants?And what role should AI, networking, and recruiters play in your career journey?In this episode, I sit down with Michael Way, co-founder of Subterra Group, a specialist upstream recruitment firm working with exploration and production companies. Michael shares how recruitment really works behind the scenes, what hiring managers actually look for, and how candidates can stand out in a crowded job market. We talk about the reality of executive search, why many roles are never advertised publicly, and why building relationships in the industry can matter just as much as submitting an application online. Michael also gives a candid perspective on AI written CVs, interview preparation, and the changing balance between traditional oil and gas careers and the energy transition.For anyone trying to build a career in energy whether in oil and gas, CCS, hydrogen, or renewables this conversation offers a practical look at how hiring decisions are actually made.Key Takeaways🔹 Many opportunities never appear on job boards Specialist recruitment firms often work through networks and referrals rather than public advertisements. Building relationships with recruiters and industry professionals can uncover opportunities that are never publicly listed.🔹 Standing out requires more than submitting a CV A short message to the hiring manager, a LinkedIn note, or a proactive introduction can make a candidate more memorable than simply clicking “apply” on a job portal.🔹 AI can help but it shouldn’t replace your voice AI tools can support spelling, formatting, and research, but CVs and applications that rely too heavily on automated writing often stand out for the wrong reasons.Three Actionable Takeaways🧭 Pick five companies you genuinely want to work for Research them and send a short introduction explaining your interest even if there are no current vacancies.📩 Introduce yourself to hiring managers A short LinkedIn message or email can help your application stand out from hundreds of others.📚 Use AI as a tool, not a replacement Use it to improve formatting, spelling, or research but keep your writing personal and authentic.Mentioned in this episode:Granola AIHead to go.granola.ai/michelle for a full one‑month trial of Granola.

If you're a student, graduate, engineer, geoscientist, or industry professional trying to make sense of where energy is heading this conversation matters.Many of you are navigating career uncertainty, hearing mixed messages about oil and gas, renewables, AI, fracking, net zero and policy shifts. It can feel difficult to understand where real opportunity sits and what skills will still matter in 10 or 20 years.In this episode, I sit down with subsurface and exploration manager Mike Cooper to talk openly about how the industry has changed since the 1980s, what’s happening globally across oil, gas and renewables, and what this means for the next generation entering energy.We explore:🌍 How global geology connects basins from the North Sea to Brazil and West Africa🤖 Where AI can genuinely help and where it still needs human judgement🏗️ Why energy policy directly affects jobs, industry and competitiveness🎓 What young professionals should be doing right now to build resilienceMike also shares lessons from building and winding up companies, mentoring graduates, and creating niche industry content through his YouTube channel. There’s a strong thread throughout this conversation: experience, judgement and specialist expertise still matter even in a more automated world.🔑 Three Key Takeaways1️⃣ Energy transition doesn’t eliminate legacy industries it reshapes themOil and gas are unlikely to disappear overnight. Even as renewables expand, fossil fuels still form a large part of global energy supply. The real shift is in how efficiently and responsibly energy is produced.Actionable takeaway:👉 If you’re entering energy, build dual literacy. Understand both conventional energy systems and transition technologies like CCUS, geothermal or offshore wind. Being cross sector fluent increases your employability.2️⃣ AI is powerful but expertise is the filterAI can draft, summarise and model at speed. But it still blends data incorrectly, mislabels basins, or merges unrelated fields. Human oversight remains critical, especially in subsurface interpretation and engineering decisions.Actionable takeaway:👉 Learn to use AI as a productivity tool, not a replacement for technical understanding. Develop deep domain knowledge so you can sense check outputs and spot errors quickly.3️⃣ Early experience matters more than perfect rolesMike shared how graduates who were willing to start small, take risk and gain exposure ended up highly employable years later. The classroom and the workplace are very different environments.Actionable takeaway:👉 Prioritise proximity to real projects over title or salary in your first few years. Exposure to live data, operations, and decision making environments compounds long term value.This episode isn’t about hype. It’s about realism where opportunity exists, where risk sits, and how young professionals can navigate a sector that is evolving technically, politically and economically.If you're building your career in energy right now, this is one to listen to with a notebook beside you. ✍️

If you’re early in your career or you’ve moved faster than you expected into responsibility this episode is for you. Many people in the energy sector worry about whether they’re “ready enough”, whether they’ve moved too quickly, or whether choosing a smaller company might limit future options. These questions matter because the early decisions you make often shape confidence, capability, and long term direction more than job titles ever will.In this episode of Energy Sector Heroes, I’m joined by Cameron Thorp, Engineering Manager at Subsea Pressure Controls. Cameron shares what it’s really like stepping into a senior role at a young age, managing people with more experience than you, and building credibility without decades on your CV. We talk honestly about imposter syndrome, chartership, mentoring, interviews, and why being proactive often matters more than ticking every requirement box.This is a grounded conversation about learning by doing, making deliberate career moves, and backing yourself even when it feels uncomfortable.Key Takeaways You Can Act On🔧 Choose environments that stretch you, not just impress on paper Smaller companies can offer broader responsibility, faster learning, and earlier exposure to decision making. If you want range and ownership early on, look at where you’ll actually get hands on experience.🧭 Use structure to offset limited experience Chartership, mentoring, and clear development goals help build credibility when you don’t yet have years behind you. Seek external support if your company doesn’t offer it professional institutions can fill that gap.📞 Don’t self reject before a conversation If a role looks interesting but you don’t meet every requirement, pick up the phone. An informal conversation can change how a role is scoped and how you’re assessed before your CV is even reviewed.Mentioned in this episode:Granola AIHead to go.granola.ai/michelle for a full one‑month trial of Granola.

If you work in energy, whether you’re early in your career, mid transition, or trying to future proof decades of hard won experience, the questions feel very real right now. Where are the jobs actually going? Which skills still matter? And how do you avoid being left in the gap between policy ambition and real employment?In this episode, I’m joined by Michael Love, Director of Policy at OPITO, to talk honestly about what’s happening beneath the headlines. We get into the realities of workforce movement, why so many skilled people are heading overseas, and what “transferable skills” actually mean in practice not as a slogan, but as a pathway.We also talk about graduates, apprenticeships, AI, and why the energy sector still needs people who can think, communicate, and manage complexity not just code or automate. This conversation matters because decisions made now by individuals, companies, and government will shape who stays, who leaves, and who gets left behind.🔍 Key Takeaways You Can Act On⚡ How oil & gas skills realistically translate into renewables, hydrogen, and CCS 🧭 Why waiting for a “clear transition” is risky and how to protect your career now 📊 Which skills will matter most as AI reshapes energy rolesMentioned in this episode:Granola AIHead to go.granola.ai/michelle for a full one‑month trial of Granola.

Welcome back to the podcast. In this episode, I’m joined by David Rodger, CEO of Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group, for a practical conversation about leadership, career transitions, and the evolution of the energy sector in the North East of Scotland.David talks openly about his career path from his early work as a civil servant through to leading one of the region’s most influential renewable energy organisations. We explore the decisions, trade offs, and moments that shaped his trajectory, as well as what it really takes to build momentum in a sector that is constantly changing.Together, we discuss the challenges of driving collaboration across industry, government, and supply chains, the realities behind major renewable projects, and how regional capability has developed over time. David also reflects on the role leadership plays in creating long term value not just for projects, but for people and communities.This episode is a grounded look at how careers evolve, how energy transitions actually happen on the ground, and what it means to lead with clarity and intent in a complex industry.Mentioned in this episode:Granola AIHead to go.granola.ai/michelle for a full one‑month trial of Granola.

How do you build credibility and progress into leadership roles in the energy sector? In this episode, I talk with Syarifah Aliza Syed Azauddin, Vice President of Corporate Governance & Sustainability Reporting, about how careers evolve, how to speak up with confidence, and why continuous learning matters at every stage.We discuss the realities of advancing as a woman in the industry, the importance of trust and delivery, and why energy transition strategies must be shaped by local context not a single global narrative.In this episode:• Building trust through consistent delivery and communication• Approaching interviews and leadership conversations with confidence• Why sustainability priorities look different across regions• Developing a broad skill set beyond your core disciplineIf you're growing your career in energy or aiming for leadership in sustainability and governance, this conversation offers a practical view of what it takes to move forward.Mentioned in this episode:Granola AIHead to go.granola.ai/michelle for a full one‑month trial of Granola.

🌍 Are you ready to navigate the future of energy? Join us on this week's episode of the Energy Sector Heroes podcast, featuring Barry Jones, Offshore Installation Manager at Ørsted, with over 30 years of experience spanning oil, gas, renewables, and submarine telecommunications. Together, we explore the real challenges and opportunities in the global shift toward greener energy.🎧 What’s in it for you?Understand the global push for renewables and why collaboration with traditional oil and gas sectors matters now more than ever.Learn from cultural challenges faced while working in diverse regions, from Taiwan to Europe, and discover why local context can make or break energy projects.Actionable tips for young professionals: Master communication skills to make your voice heard, innovate within your role, and drive meaningful change in the industry.Tune in for a grounded conversation packed with practical insights and real-world lessons for today’s energy sector professionals.Mentioned in this episode:Granola AIHead to go.granola.ai/michelle for a full one‑month trial of Granola.