- Over 150 hours sitting in front of a computer.
- Over 400 direct emails sent (they include my resume + scanned MDS certificates).
- Over 20 direct applications done through drilling company websites.
- Over 50 phone calls to human resource departments at various drilling companies throughout the world.
The result: NO JOB.
Just before Reg MacDonald left for his Chicago holiday (it was right before Saint Patrick's Day), he stopped by the MDS school to give all of us a bit of a pep-talk. Up until this point we were not given any guidance in terms of finding a job in the oil and gas industry. Some of us, spending upwards of $8000 USD, were getting desperate. We worried, naturally I think, that spending all this money and not being able to find work wouldn't be ideal...so we cornered Reg and asked him to finally tell us a bit about this list of contacts he said he would give us that will make the job hunting process easier.
What did we get? Two fucking websites that we could have easily found on our own (which I did a week before). What websites? It is no secret, so here they are: the IADC and CAODC (the second one is only useful if you are looking for employment in Canada). Each of those websites has a members directory with lists of drilling contractors around the world...he told us to send emails and call them to get jobs. Yup, that was all. No direct contact to those who actually do the hiring. None. Zip. Nada.
Of course Reg covers his ass and on the official MDS website he states that he does not guarantee employment for any of the graduates. Fair enough, I knew this coming in, but when I was speaking with Linda (his secretary and girlfriend...I think more girlfriend than secretary) she told me about this amazing list of contacts we would be given. No sweat, I though, a list is good enough for me...I am competent enough to write up a resume and send it via email...plus follow up with phone calls if needed. But to be given two fucking websites and calling it an "industry list" is laughable to say the least.
Any other brilliant advice from Reg? It was written already (see below), but I want to rehash it just so other potential MDS students know: Reg says the best way to find a job is to go directly to the companies. He says that if they need workers they will hire you on the spot.
WOW, Reg, didn't know that one, buddy, thanks a fucking lot! Of course the best way is to visit companies in person, deliver the resume and hope you get a call-back. He told us if we wanted to work in Alberta to travel to Calgary and Nisku and visit offices with resumes in hand...good advice! Of course trouble leeks into paradise when you don't want to work in Canada and want to seek employment overseas. So, for example, what if you want to work in Saudi Arabia? Should you travel to Al Khobar or Dammam (the center for oil drilling over there) with resume in hand? Or what about the North Sea? Should you travel to Aberdeen and try your luck there? Ridiculous.
Oh, but Reg reminds you, most of the drilling contractors working in the Middle East, for example, are American companies based somewhere in the States (like Nabors, Halliburton and all the others). So, Reg suggests, perhaps you can visit their offices in America with resume in hand seeking jobs overseas. Good advice, Reg, good advice. But what he does not factor in (he did already make his million, or so he says) are the costs involved in getting there and supporting yourself while looking for that job. It ain't cheap, chaps, it ain't cheap. Here is a breakdown of costs if you travel the the US in search of overseas jobs:
- Car rental = $60
- Cheap motel = $40
- Food = $15
- Fuel = $15
Total daily expense: $130.
That does not include any miscellaneous expenses you might have.
Sure, Reg says, take a friend with you to split the costs. Yeah, Reg, good advice as always!
So now you have just spent $5000 on training at MDS ($4200 tuition + $800 accommodation), transportation to North Sydney (for me, round trip, it cost about $1800, but I was coming from very far away) plus food and expenses while living there for 20 days. It adds up. And now you need to travel somewhere, either Alberta or the US, rent cars, stay in hotels and look for jobs. Say it takes you 10 days to visit all the companies and talk to all the Human Resource departments...that is an additional cost of $1300. As you can see, with tuition and other costs, you might be spending close to $10,000 for the privilege of getting an oil and gas job. Expensive? You bet!
So what if you don't want to spend the additional money and travel to where the companies are? Well, you can only send emails and call HR departments. Sometimes you'll speak to someone who makes hiring decisions and sometimes you won't. Sometimes they tell you that they need experience in the oil field and you got none. Sometimes they tell you that they will keep your resume on file since they have no open positions at present. But don't give up. Email them again, call them again and maybe you'll get lucky. Just don't expect to finish the course and start working in the oil patch right from the start, unless you got the cash to travel to where the companies are and hit their peak hiring season (usually winter in Canada). So, after spending thousands of dollars on training, make sure to have a bit left over until you get a job. It is easier for those living with mom and dad, but those of us with families (plus bills) it is not easy.
No comments:
Post a Comment