Jump Start -- by Tom Babin

Your best career move may be accepting a lower paying job. New graduates hope to find a job in their field quickly. However, it often doesn't work out that way. After job searching for awhile, many discover that while they have the necessary education, they lack the experience that would make them employable. Career Edge is a national non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the employability of youth. They can help jobseekers land an internship at various petroleum organizations. It may initially mean a cut in pay, but it can also lead to full-time employment and a raise.

"The pay wasn't great, but it was a way in," says one individual about his internship. Though he struggled through six lean financial months, he says the sacrifice payed off with the position he landed afterwards. "To get your first job is hard, especially not knowing anyone in the city and having no contacts. It's tough." he said. "There are pros and cons to all internships (it was my lowest paying job in a decade) but it worked out for me."

At least half-a-dozen large Calgary oil and gas companies take part in Career Edge offering internships in all aspects of the industry. Some of the biggest names in the city like Fletcher Challenge, Pan Canadian, Amoco Canada and Shell Canada register with Career Edge to attract interns with little or no relevant experience, and many other companies have their own internship programs. Career Edge is unique because both employees and employers come together for three month, six month or year long internships over the World Wide Web. Information about internships at other companies, however, can be found on company websites or by talking to company recruiting or human resources representatives. Though internships are geared towards those with little or no experience, competition for the positions is strong so applicants must still hone their resumé and interview skills as they would when applying for any other job.
http://www.careeredge.org/

Springing into action

While internships are a great avenue to gain work experience, for those who know which career path they may want to follow, there are other options to gain knowledge and improve the possibility of employment before taking any formal, job-specific education or training.

For instance, those considering work as a geologist can join the local rock and lapidary club to gain an introduction into the world of the earth and how it changes over time. Joining a school science club, or attending presentations at the Calgary Science Centre will also allow you to develop an understanding of some basic scientific principles.

Thoughts of a career as a geophysicist or engineer will also be enhanced by joining a science club, computer club, or tutoring fellow students in science and computers.

If you're considering a future as a landman or land agent but aren't certain it's the right choice, try to arrange to spend a day or two shadowing a landman at a local oil and gas company. With the prevalence of oil and gas workers in Calgary, chances are someone you know works in the industry or knows someone working in the industry and can easily put you in touch with the right contact. (This is, in fact, a good idea for any type of career.)

Work opportunities on drilling rigs will be enhanced by taking safety training courses such as basic first aid, WHMIS and H2S for example. Representatives from the Petroleum Industry Training Service (http://www.PITS.ca) suggest calling directly to employers to clarify which courses they prefer.

(files from Mark Sproxton)