Young professionals (YPs) from the SPE Aberdeen Section participated in the section’s first interdisciplinary networking and professional development event, held on 22 October at the offices of Centrica Energy in Aberdeen, UK.
SPE YPs attended three short presentations—alongside YP members of the Institution of Chemical Engineers and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers—geared toward building nontechnical professional skills.
“This event is particularly significant, as young professionals organized it for young professionals,” said SPE Aberdeen Chairman Ross Lowdon. “And I am very proud to see SPE linking up with other industry bodies in order to make this event truly interdisciplinary.”
The three speakers for the evening included Ian Sharp, chief operating officer of Fairfield Energy; David Lynch, vice president of BP Reservoir Management North Sea; and Andy Ewens, AMEC regional operations director. Presenters provided insight into their own backgrounds and revealed how soft skills such as networking and effective communication have been important throughout their careers.
The presentations were followed by an icebreaker session, allowing attendees to practice their networking skills.