Organization, Strategy and Planning

Organization, Strategy and Planning Organization, Strategy and Planning

Hydraulic Fracturing Today And Tomorrow

Hydraulic Fracturing Today â€" And Tomorrow Hydraulic Fracturing Today â€" And Tomorrow Hydraulic Fracturing Today â€" And Tomorrow Editors note. With the price of oil as low as its been in a very long time, there is little question that these are challenging times for the oil and gas industry. Recently, ME Today talked with two leading industry professionals Frank Adamek, Chief Consulting Engineer at GE Oil Gas Drilling and Surface, and Blake Burnette, Senior Technical Advisor at Baker Hughes to hear their perspectives on how a young engineer interested in getting into hydraulic fracturing might best proceed. These interviews are edited and condensed for clarity. Q: What advice would you have for a young engineer today whos ambitious to make hydraulic fracturing their area of expertise? > Adamek: To find your way into hydraulic fracturing today, you need to know the specifications, the equipment and the processes. The geology of the shale is very important, as is the basic knowledge of how to unlock oil from the rock formations themselves. A candidate needs both a strong understanding of the equipment and to have taken the right courses, not only in geology but also in petroleum engineering. > Burnette: Conventional wisdom would say that its a tough time to break into the field now. But remember: the greatest minds in [our] industry joined during the crash in the early 1980s. They did what I would advise young engineers to do today: work lower level jobs to gain that absolutely invaluable experience. I had a friend now a highly respected senior-level industry professional who drove trucks in the 1980s just as his way to get in. He did everything, learned everything, and he has made a great career. So I say: go to the districts, go to North Dakota, accept a job as a fluid technician, work your way into the engineering positions. You will gain so much expertise. As the market recovers and it will you will be perceived as a leader. Q: What are the most important differences in this industry today compared to five or ten years ago? Adamek: The industry is moving faster now. The knowledge you get at school becomes obsolete quicker. You have to continue learning, either in-house or in on-the-job training. Think about it: five or six years ago hydraulic fracturing was in its infancy, and the U.S. was still an [oil] importer. Now weve become an exporter. Its a total turnaround in just these few years. We engineers have to grow with our industry. Now, as were getting into horizontal wells and optimization, were looking at costs much more deeply. Burnette: During the last boom, shale extraction was new technology. [Hydraulic fracturing] has been around since the 1940s, but only in the 2000s did some very smart people think of combining horizontal drilling with multi-stage fracturing. When everybody turned their attention to shale, we had the rush into new fields, North Dakota and so on, and that revolutionized everything. But as that was going on, a lot of profit was being left on the table. The industrys focus was on speed. Everybodys metrics were based on getting the wells drilled and completed and producing as quickly as possible. Much less attention was paid to finding economic efficiencies. But people now are going back and reworking those metrics, to figure out how to do the job more efficiently. Young engineers looking to enter our sector now should work on finding ways to apply new technology to reducing the costs their companies face. Even five years ago a young person advocating for a focus on efficiency might have been ignored, but now everybody is on a hunt for technologies to save money. Q: What dont young engineers understand about the sector that they should? What piece of conventional wisdom deserves another look? Adamek: You have to know how to be a team player. You have MEs, EEs, and structural engineers, all working together to solve big challenges. Which means you will need soft skills: how to listen, communicate, how to sell your ideas. How to speak in front of people. You have to learn to sell your ideas and thoughts. For this reason, I would even more strongly recommend joining a volunteer organization like ASME. A leadership position there helps you gain those skills and exercise them, so that you can bring them back into your job. Not much is more important than that. Burnette: I would say the value of hands-on experience should be emphasized. Theres a perception out there that the oil field is low tech, but in fact there are areas of the oil industry that are extremely high tech. And there are significant opportunities for technical innovation. Remember also that this industry now generates enormous amounts of data. Opportunities are growing for young engineers to gather and analyze that data. This industry is looking to become more efficient, and data analytics are how well get there. Be a part of it. Lastly, I would say you need to be prepared to move around, geographically. I have personally had the chance to work in 25 countries experience I wouldnt trade for the world. Its a very exciting opportunity for young people, but you should be prepared and know that part of this business is that you will need to move around and follow it where it goes. Q: What do you anticipate for this industry in 5, 10 or 20 years? Burnette: Much as I am a fan of renewables, I have to think that a lot of cars are going to run on gas for a very long time to come. We as a nation will continue to depend on oil for a long time to come. The United States will keep moving towards energy independence, yes. And other countries will produce the shale reserves that they have. But the main thing to bear in mind is that we will keep producing shale oil, and you can bet on it this industry is going to bounce back and thrive again.

10 Signs that You Should Find a New Job in 2014

10 Signs that You Should Find a New Job in 2014 10 Signs that You Should Find a New Job in 2014 Do you look forward to going to work? Do you enjoy the environment? Respect your co-workers? Does your work fulfil you? If the answer to any of these questions is no, its probably time to make a change. But if youre like most of us, you stay where you are longer than you should. I know. Ive done it myself several times. There are all kinds of reasons for this. We fear change. Were tired and stressed. We dont have much free time. But whatever the reasons we give ourselves, the end the result is the same. We remain in a situation that makes us unhappy. If this sounds like you, here are 10 clear signals that you should find a new job as soon as possible. You often wake up dreading the day ahead If youre nodding at this, it’s time to look for another job. We each only get a short time on this earth and there’s absolutely no reason to spend it in a job that makes you unhappy. It’s easy to talk yourself out of making a move for a million different reasons, but the bottom line is this: no one should dread going to work. If you do, it’s time to find a new job You find yourself bitching and moaning with co-workers If you’re unhappy, it’s easy to fall into the trap of complaining to co-workers. Misery loves company and sometimes a good grumble can make you feel better. But if you regularly find yourself complaining, its time to find new work. Your company is paying you a good salary and it’s not fair to take that money if you’re bitching about them (no matter how much they deserve it!) You resent your boss for being lazy/incompetent/greedy/insert alternative adjective here You may be right. Your boss may be lazy, incompetent or greedy. But resenting it will get you nothing but raised blood pressure and increased stress levels. If you find yourself starting to feel this way, polish up your resume and start looking for a new job! You regularly post negative comments about your job on social media sites Not only is this a huge red flag telling you that you’re unhappy, but it’s also a surefire way to establish a bad reputation â€" and maybe even to get yourself fired. If you’re this unhappy, it’s time to get out. You find yourself browsing job boards during company time Maybe you’re not seriously looking, but you can’t help checking to see what’s available. The thing is, no one does this if they love their job. If you’re happy at work, looking for another job is the last thing on your mind. If you keep pulling up Monster.com, it’s time to find a new job. You are often bored It’s easy to get stuck in a rut when you’re comfortable. If your work is no longer challenging, it’s time to go â€" otherwise you may still be at the same desk doing the same stuff in 5 years time, Yikes! Find a new job! You come home stressed more evenings than not Stress is a leading cause of illness and can have serious long-term consequences. If you find yourself coming home from work feeling stressed out, you are quite simply making yourself sick. It’s time to move on. You don’t fit with the culture I once worked in a place that sapped my energy. The company sold a product I love and had a good business philosophy. It should have been a perfect fit. But I just didn’t fit in with the company culture. Other people thrived there, but I never found a way to fit in. Finally making the decision to leave was one of the best things I ever did for myself. You don’t believe in what you’re doing This could relate to your own work, or to the company’s products or services. In order to feel fulfilled, you have to feel that what you’re doing is worthwhile. If you don’t believe it is, you should find a new job where you know you’re making a positive impact. You know you have more to offer, but no one is interested If you’re constantly suggesting ideas or looking for ways to make extra contributions, it’s extremely disheartening to have your suggestions ignored or turned down. Don’t waste any more time â€" go find a place where your ideas are valued. You’ll be much happier. Make 2014 the year you vow to be happy at work When youre in an unhappy situation, its easy to feel trapped, but the new year is the perfect time to make a fresh start. So why not spend the next few weeks preparing to make a move. Start browsing those job listings seriously. Polish up your resume. Improve your LinkedIn profile. Start networking. By this time next year, you could be well settled in to a job that actually leaves you feeling fulfilled and happy. Now thats a new years resolution worth making. (If you need help, check out our free series, The Smart Job Search, which provides great tips on creative ways to find a new job). Photo by Danielmoyle

Bigger is better in UK consulting

Bigger is better in UK consulting Bigger is better in UK consulting Recently, Britain's Management Consulting Association (MCA), which counts about 70 percent of the UK consulting industry among its membership, released its short list for the organization's 2011 Awards spread. Potential winners compete in a slew of categories, from firm-wide strategy project accolades to individual 'Consultant of the Year' designations in various practice areas.It could be said that the shortlist features a who's who of the UK consulting industryMCA would certainly say so. If that is indeed the case, the list reveals some striking differences among key players in the British and American industries. For one, there's a glaring lack of anything McKinsey (I can't say I'm not relieved...); other American darlings of sterling international repute like Bain and Boston Consulting Group are equally absent.Instead, MCA's shortlist is dominated by international heavyweights, firms with high head-counts and even higher global brand recognition. Of these, the Big Four firms make the most appearances. MCA's Strategy Consultant of the Year nominees? Consultants from PwC, Deloitte, Accenture and KPMG leave room for but one other nominee; that individual comes from Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC), an international consultancy of nearly 100,000 employees. Not convinced? Check out the four-person shortlist for Change Management Consultant of the Year: Deloitte and KPMG crack the quadrant again, and the other two spots go to consultants from 100,000+ giants IBM and Accenture.To be fair, the stray small UK consultancy does appear occasionally on these lists. A few other Vault mainstays like Hay Group and PA Consulting are also nominated once. But the trend is clear: in Britain, the biggest consulting shops dominate the market. Big Four firms are particularly dominant; other major world players like Accenture, CSC and IBM also share in the prestige.It isn't like McKinsey, BCG and the other usual suspects are inactive in Britain (MCA's entry guidelines don't require firms to be of British origin), so what's with the absence? We'll continue to examine this intriguing trend here on Consult THIS.For more information: The MCA Awards Shortlist

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The 5 Best Cities for Jobs in 2017

The 5 Best Cities for Jobs in 2017 The 5 Best Cities for Jobs in 2017 “Where should I move for work?” It’s a question that comes to mind for almost everyone at some point, from recent graduates looking for their first real job to seasoned professionals who’ve grown restless at their current position. It’s tempting to make this decision based on a gut feeling alone - maybe you’ve always dreamed of being surrounded by the hustle and bustle of New York City, or the glitz and glamour of Los Angeles - but a decision as big as moving shouldn’t be made on a whim. Besides personality fit, it’s critical to think about things like cost of living, job availability and quality of life. Don’t feel like doing exhaustive research into all of the major metros in the U.S. to find this information? We don’t blame you. Glassdoor’s made it easier for you by releasing our Best Cities for Jobs in 2017  report , which ranks the top U.S. cities according to their Glassdoor City Score, a figure determined by weighing three factors equally: how easy it is to get a job, how affordable it is to live there and how satisfied employees are working there.* Here are the five cities that came out on top: Glassdoor City Score (out of 5) : 4.4 The Steel City hits the sweet spot between a reasonable cost of living (it was the third most affordable among the top 50 metros we studied based on median salary compared to median home value) , tons of open jobs and generally satisfied employees. Traditionally known as an industrial hub, Pittsburgh has seen a revitalization in recent years, with booming healthcare, education and tourism sectors. Get your fill of culture at one of the city’s many art museums, or your sports fix from a Steelers or Penguins game. Known as the Crossroads of America, Indianapolis is located within a single-day drive of 70 percent of the nation’s business centers and port cities . While the majority of the city’s economy is driven by finance, insurance and manufacturing, it’s also seen a tech boom over the years, with companies like Salesforce setting up shop there. Check out the legendary Indy 500 race or the Indianapolis Children’s Museum! The largest city in the Show Me State, Kansas City is a hub for great barbecue, live music and, of course, plenty of open jobs. The federal government is one of the largest employers in KC, with a significant presence from the IRS, Social Security Administration and US Postal Office. Hot tip: Kansas City is also vying hard to become home to Amazon’s newly-announced second headquarters . Smack dab in the middle of the Research triangle - the area between North Carolina State University, Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - Raleigh-Durham is home to many jobs in academia, tech and healthcare. Given the close proximity to three major universities, Raleigh-Durham is a college sports fan’s dream, with the Duke University Blue Devils and UNC Tar Heels historically among the best college basketball programs in the country. But while college sports here may be intensely competitive, the job hunt isn’t - Raleigh-Durham is ranked the second-best city for hiring opportunity, based on the ratio of current job openings to population. The second Missouri city to crack our top-five list, St. Louis is home to a number of major corporations like Nestlé Purina , Panera and Anheuser-Busch . St. Louis’s picturesque Gateway Arch draws in a great deal of tourism throughout the year, as does its unique food scene with local dishes such as St. Louis-style pizza, ribs and toasted ravioli. Surprised that you don’t find tech and finance hubs like San Francisco or New York on here? That’s no coincidence. “Big, metropolitan cities may be more famous than others, including being home to some amazing companies to work for, but this recognition is also what contributes to them being among the most expensive places to live,” says Glassdoor Chief Economist Dr. Andrew Chamberlain. “People may be overlooking midsize cities like Pittsburgh or St. Louis if they are looking to relocate or find new opportunities. What this jobs report shows is that many midsize cities stand out for offering a great mix of a thriving job market with plenty of opportunity, paired with home affordability and being regions where employees are more satisfied in their jobs too.” Ready to make your next big move? Check out jobs in the cities above or check out our full list of Best Cities for Jobs in 2017 ! * Methodology: Glassdoor’s Best Cities for Jobs report identifies U.S. metros with the highest overall Glassdoor City Score, based on a comparison of the 50 most populated U.S. metros. Each region’s Glassdoor City Score, based on a 5-point scale (5.0=best city for a job, 1.0=worst city for a job), is determined by weighing three factors equally: hiring opportunity, cost of living and job satisfaction.

5 Ways to Develop Your Workplace Collaboration Skills

5 Ways to Develop Your Workplace Collaboration Skills 5 Ways to Develop Your Workplace Collaboration Skills Back in high school or college, were you the one who always did the bulk of work on a group project, then wondered why the teacher wouldn’t just let you do it by yourself in the first place? Your teachers didn’t make you participate in groups to frustrate you. They aimed to teach you a critical skill: the ability to collaborate. Those people skills can be invaluable at the office where workplace collaboration is an increasingly pivotal part of the job for many creative professionals. Workplace collaboration is multifaceted and includes a range of abilities, such as clear communication, problem solving, empathy and accountability. Collaboration is an important soft skill for any creative professional. Projects involving design, marketing and user experience, for example, often require working together in teams and across departments. Interdepartmental initiatives can have their own challenges because teams may have different priorities, skill sets and personalities. In a survey by The Creative Group of more than 400 advertising and marketing executives, 37 percent of respondents said conflicting goals and priorities were the biggest barriers to cross-departmental collaboration.   The following five tips can help you develop your workplace collaboration skills: 1. Work on projects outside your comfort zone Taking on projects that fall outside your area of specialization forces you to rely on the expertise of others. For example, if you mainly focus on web design and have an opportunity to help implement a new project management system, use the opportunity to offer your creative expertise while also learning from colleagues in other departments, such as media services, IT and training. 2. Communicate clearly   It’s important to be clear and timely in your responses when you’re working with anyone, but especially when you’re collaborating with other departments. They may not know the buzzwords or acronyms you and your teammates use. When we asked creative professionals what online business communication behavior annoys them most, the top response was failure or slowness to respond, followed by poor grammar and spelling and use of acronyms and buzzwords. (Check out the infographic below for the full survey results.) We can help you get your next creative job: SUBMIT RESUME 3. Find a mentor Some organizations offer formal mentorship programs. Even if yours doesn’t, you can ask a colleague with strong collaboration skills to mentor you. A mentorship relationship doesn’t have to require a big time commitment. It could be as simple as eating lunch together once or twice a month.   Another option is to enroll in a class at a local college or attend seminars that focus on boosting collaboration and teamwork skills. Many courses and webinars are available online as well. 4. Join industry groups Industry associations are excellent resources for the professional development of both hard and soft skills. For instance, volunteering on a committee can be a good way to expand your network while honing your collaboration skills outside of the office. 5. Participate in team-building activities Sure, spending 15 minutes trying to untangle a human knot might seem silly, but time spent working with a group toward the same goal helps strengthen collaboration abilities. If your organization doesn’t offer team-building activities during retreats or meetings, you might suggest the idea to your supervisor. These activities can improve office communication by boosting morale and connection between colleagues. Wait, there’s more! There are some other things that will help you boost your workplace collaboration skills. For example, recognize when coworkers have expertise in certain areas and ask for their input. Likewise, use your know-how to help others, even when there doesn’t seem to be a direct benefit to you. In addition, when you work with a team, put the needs of the group ahead of your own. When you collaborate on interdepartmental projects, be especially attuned to differing perspectives and knowledge bases. For example, if you sit in the marketing department of a nonprofit, you’ll likely need to coordinate with the development department regarding grants and fundraising campaigns. Finally, share your ideas, but also listen to the input of others. Recognize when someone else has a stronger idea than your own and support it, being sure to give credit where credit is due. Your efforts will go a long way toward building strong workplace collaboration. Download The Creative Group Salary Guide for all the in-depth salary data you need to help you make the best hiring and career decisions.