Legacy High School recently organized a roundtable discussion with engineers from Chevron to shine a spotlight on women working in the oil and gas industry.
The roundtable aimed to provide students with insights into the various opportunities available in the energy sector, emphasizing both career prospects and educational pathways. Female leaders from Chevron engaged with students, addressing questions about career opportunities, the industry’s future, and the vital roles women play in this field.
“As we’re in the tail end of Women’s History Month, it made a lot of sense to bring our women leaders in Chevron here today to talk about their roles, and they all represent our oil and gas industry very well, but the event itself is open to all students. There are careers for all students in oil and gas.” – Catie Matthews, Public And Government Affairs Advisor, Chevron In Midland
Catie Matthews, a Public and Government Affairs Advisor at Chevron in Midland, highlighted the importance of the event, especially as it coincided with Women’s History Month. She emphasized that the oil and gas industry offers diverse career paths for all students of all genders.
The speakers from Chevron represented different departments, including public affairs, engineering groups, health and safety, and field operations, showcasing the breadth of roles available in the industry.
During the discussion, Hannah Hoban, a senior at Legacy High School, shared her lifelong passion for engineering, underscoring her curiosity about how things work and her fascination with problem-solving.
“I found an old journal of mine from like third grade, and I was still talking about being an engineer. I love seeing how things work. Taking things apart and seeing exactly how they work; why is this connected to this? Why does this run a certain way?” – Hannah Hoban, a senior at Legacy High School
Another student, Sydnee Patman, a junior at Legacy, expressed enthusiasm about the vast opportunities in the oil industry, ranging from fieldwork to office roles, reflecting the industry’s versatility.
“We are the heart of the oil industry here in Texas and basically the United States. The opportunities are really limitless. You can be somebody who works in the field, which is what I would probably go to if I was to go into the oil industry, or you can sit in an office and help run the company.“ – Sydnee Patman, a junior at Legacy High School
Chevron’s goal, as reiterated by Catie Matthews, is not only to inspire students but also to encourage them to consider Chevron as a potential future employer. The company sees a bright future in energy and aims to have students join their efforts in shaping this future.
“The future of energy is bright and we wanna inspire the students here today to join us in our efforts and to be interested in a career in oil and gas. It’s my hope and the hope of many that many of the students sitting in this room are on our payroll in just a few years.” – Catie Matthews, Public And Government Affairs Advisor, Chevron In Midland
The roundtable discussion at Legacy High School not only provided valuable insights into the oil and gas industry but also served as a motivational platform for students to explore diverse career options.
As Sydnee aptly puts it, “You are the only person stopping you” from pursuing your dreams and exploring the vast opportunities in the oil and gas sector.
Story originally appeared on CBS7 News
