I graduated from La Universidad del Zulia (LUZ) as a Petroleum Engineer and started my career as a Petrophysicist in PDVSA (Venezuelan National Oil Company). I then joined Schlumberger as a Reservoir Engineer for Well Testing Services in Venezuela. After 4 years, I was transferred to the US, initially working for Drilling and Measurements as a Sales Engineer, and then as a Real Time SME for Artificial Lift.
While in the US, my husband was offered a role in Indonesia, which was a great opportunity for him as well as our family. Without any job opportunities in that location with Schlumberger, I decided to take a career break. It was a wonderful time where I discovered many other abilities in me, fully enjoying being part of my daughter’s lives and the surrounding communities. Back in the US, I decided to explore a career change working as a substitute teacher, a job that I enjoyed and did for almost a year. When we decided to move to the UK, I continued exploring different job opportunities, while trying to go back to the Oil & Gas Industry without success. However, while working as a Pupil Support assistant (PSA), I was told about the opportunity to apply for the role of Technical Assistant at Harbour Energy through the STEM Returners programme. It was the perfect opportunity to return to my original career.
This programme provided the opportunity to go back to industry, without viewing my career break as a drawback. Instead, it was acknowledged but the focus was on providing me the opportunity to showcase my abilities and value as a professional.
In the initial contact, the STEM Returners representative boosted my confidence, and made me realise that even without recently working in a technical field, I had a wide range of skills and experience that would bring value to my employer. She also coached me for the interview and registered me with the Women in Engineering Society (WES) and MentorSET programme.
During my first week at Harbour, I was impressed by the dedication and time spent by my manager, who put great effort in explaining in detail my role and the business. Like never before, I received clear objectives from my manager, which we reviewed and discussed. I was also assigned a “buddy” that had volunteered for the role before I joined the team and who has been very supportive. I’ve had the privilege to work with excellent and experienced professionals from different areas, with the willingness to help and collaborate. It is a very stimulating and dynamic environment, where I am constantly being challenged, making me grow professionally and keeping me motivated to improve.