1.What does your job actually involve?
I am responsible for my company’s Supply and Trading activities in the Middle East and East Africa. The supply and trading area I work for integrates the activities across the barrel for the company providing markets for equity production of oil and gas and supply for the group refineries and marketing companies. The activity serves not only the group assets but also trades entrepreneurially to generate revenues and is one of the largest global traders of oil, gas and LNG.
2.What previous jobs have you had?
I have had a variety of commercial roles in the company in marketing, supply and trading. I have worked overseas in the USA, the Netherlands, Russia and the Middle East.
3.What qualifications do you have?
BA Hons in Archaeology from Durham University.
4.How did you land your current job?
I applied whilst at University, and joined as a graduate.
5.Is it what you expected?
It is way better than expected!
6.What is the best aspect of your job?
Working with a diverse group of bright people in a non-hierarchical organization, where there is a lot of scope for new ideas and innovation.
7.What is the worst aspect?
It can be stressful and too absorbing at times!
8.What kind of person generally succeeds in your industry?
Self-starters who deliver the business whilst maintaining and developing good internal and external relationships generally succeed.
9. What advice would you give to someone looking to get into your line of work?
Research online. All trading companies (including ours) are looking for talent and reach out in a variety of ways such as campus open days, trading games etc. Degree subject is not a limiting factor, academic rigour is helpful but success in trading is about acumen that you either have or do not have, you can’t learn from a book.