Name: Michael Gordon
Age: 40
Where brought up: Born and brought up in Aberdeen.
What course are you studying? I am taking part in the University of Aberdeen’s Flexible Science Programme and have just completed my first term of study which concentrated on the petroleum geology part of the course.
The course work follows the same pattern as the full-time degree students. The next stage when the new term starts will be things such as physics, chemistry and more. The idea for me is to obtain a diploma in science and hopefully move on to further degree studies at the university in the future, be it staying in this field of study or moving into another.
Why did you choose an energy-related course? As I work in the oil and gas industry and having worked for the likes of Halliburton, Expro and Weatherford. In my job at the moment, I am involved in the drilling-tools side of the business that go offshore and it seemed a natural tie-in with the work I do onshore. It also gives me a better understanding of my work. I also have a renewed desire and hunger to learn and gain different skill sets.
Why did you choose the university you are at? I chose Aberdeen University because it offered me the flexibility to study part time while still in full-time work and lets you study at your own pace. I can do as much as the university will let me as long as I follow the course guidelines or go at a slightly slower pace if your work or personal commitments change – but it will take longer to reach my goal if I take the slower route. It also offered a wide range of courses to select from, has some of the best facilities for students to study and has a great academic reputation.
Who has influenced you the most? My late grandfather always had advice for me saying that I should always try to better myself and not be scared of new challenges. It may have taken a few years for me to get the message, but I have definitely got it loud and clear now.
Also a former manager of mine, Billy Christie, at Halliburton, – who gave me my first start in the industry a few years back – has always given me good advice and I have seen him rise through the ranks and have taken a bit of inspiration from that.
How will this course progress you in your firm? The course will give me a better understanding of the scientific side of things that are involved in the industry and give me a qualification that will let me further my career in my chosen field. If I complete my diploma, I can hopefully start in third year of a full-time geology course should I wish, and it will also be transferable to other lines of work in the energy sector should I want to look further afield and change my career.
What advice would you give to others looking at studying towards an energy-related career? It is never too late to learn. I have met all age groups in the lectures, lab days and tutorials that I have attended and being able to study from home via lectures and course work being posted online gives you a great chance to study while you are in work or have other commitments.
They have a wide range of courses to choose from, whether it is to help progress in your career or even just for the fun of it. The advice and guidance that I have received from lecturers and guidance staff at the university has been very helpful and they can point you in the right direction if you are not sure on a selection. Give it a go as you have nothing to lose and everything to gain is what I would tell people who are considering further study.
What dream job are you aiming at? Having worked in a lab-workshop environment most of my working life, I did a four-year apprenticeship as an auto electrical technician at First Bus and was there for over 17 years before moving into the oil industry. I would like to move into a new career challenge in project engineering in the near future, where I could test myself and be part of the development of a project from start to finish and see how different departments come together and interact to produce the finished article.
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