9/19/2013 2:10:27 PM
Related video: It might take more than 80 days, but Cory Stead’s career in the engineering technology field certainly takes him around the world.
The 32-year-old Grand Falls-Windsor native still resides in his hometown, but his job as a senior drilling supervisor on the ExxonMobil circuit regularly takes him to all corners of the globe.
After completing two years at Memorial University, Cory switched his focus to College of the North Atlantic’s (CNA) Petroleum Engineering Technology (PET) program, a decision he made knowing the huge potential for employment in the province’s emerging oil and gas industry.
“I decided on the Petroleum Engineering Technology program during my career research because the oil and gas industry intrigued me. I think that stems from the fact that I can remember when the Hibernia project began and the excitement it created. My father actually worked in Bull Arm during the construction phase,” Cory said of his decision to attend CNA.
“I enjoyed the program because the small class size provided a great learning environment and lots of one-on-one interaction with the instructors. The program also gave me a good overview of the entire industry.”
Cory graduated from the PET program in 2005 and was hired by ExxonMobil Canada that same day to work offshore on the Hibernia platform as a drilling supervisor trainee.
In that role he worked a three-week rotation job shadowing drilling supervisors to learn the fundamental drilling practices. He says it was a fantastic learning experience and describes Hibernia as a world-class facility that has set drilling records and pushed the envelope for how far and fast they can safely drill.
“Since then I have literally worked around the world and that’s one of the selling features of the Petroleum Engineering Technology program – it opens up a world of opportunity.”
According to Cory, that is one of the benefits of working for ExxonMobil too; it is a global energy leader with plenty of work opportunities for anyone interested in travelling. He feels with its role as lead investor of Hibernia, operator of the Sable Offshore Energy Project in Nova Scotia and operator of the Hebron Project, there are lots of opportunities with the company in Atlantic Canada as well.
But Cory hasn’t been confined to Atlantic Canada, having travelled to numerous countries, including Australia, the Republic of Chad, the State of Qatar and Equatorial Guinea.
“I work 28 days on and then get 28 days off, so I travel every month to or from my work location. I have been on international assignments since 2006. Every day is a challenge and a changing environment. I always have to be thinking about things that could go wrong and the contingencies I need to have in place.”
When reflecting on his career to date, it’s easy to pick out the one thing that has been most rewarding.
“My most rewarding work experience thus far was while I was on assignment in Chad, Africa. The rig I was supervising broke a field record for the most footage drilled in 24 hours. The best part was that this was achieved with rig crews that were composed of all local Chadian people.”
He recommends the program from CNA and stresses the importance of working hard to gain employment.
“I always stress that students need to take the program seriously and try to finish with top grades so they give themselves more options.”
Cory says ExxonMobil has been so impressed with CNA’s engineering technology graduates that they have hired more than 50 graduates in the past 10 years to work a various drill sites.
As for what’s in store for Cory in the future – he never knows what part of the world they will send him to next, but it’s always an adventure.
“I know that wherever the (next) job is, and whatever the facility is, with my training from the college and my experience with ExxonMobil, I am ready to take on the world’s toughest energy challenges.”
For more information about engineering technology programs available at CNA visit www.cna.nl.ca.
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Media Contact:
Glenda McCarthy
Public Relations Specialist
College of the North Atlantic
709.643.6408
glenda.mccarthy@cna.nl.ca