As the sixth-largest oil producer in the world, it's no surprise that Canada needs a range of professionals to fill the employment gap in the petroleum sector. Students can pursue college programs designed specifically to prepare them for careers in the oil and gas industry, whether as an accounting specialist or an administrative assistant. They can also learn the inside scoop on the national outlook of petroleum production and discover the impact that it has on a global scale.
It's one thing to enroll in business courses at a school like Reeves College, and it's another to actually land a job in Alberta. Students need a particular set of skills to stand out to employers who are hiring administrative assistants. With the right training in school and practicum placements, they can find their way to the top of the application pile and potentially get the job offer that they are hoping for.
Understand the lingo
Just like most business sectors, petroleum production requires a certain amount of industry knowledge in order to communicate with coworkers and complete daily tasks. One of the best ways for adults to expand their expertise is by subscribing to trade publications that provide this type of information. Magazines or websites such as The Oil and Gas Magazine, Oilweek and Alberta Oil are all great resources to stay up-to-date with the latest news, events and information in the industry, as well as get accustomed to reading, understanding and using terminology that is second nature to most petroleum professionals. Before they know it, terms like "associated gas," "established reserves" and "geophysics" will be common knowledge to these adults.
Customer service is key
In any field, cultivating the relationship that a company has with its customers is essential to ensuring success down the road. Most first impressions are made within the initial 30 seconds of an interaction, and administrative assistants are often the ones who meet and greet the client before anyone else. As a result, these young adults must bring their best interpersonal skills to every job interview, adviser meeting and practicum session, because they never know when one of these encounters could lead to the job of their dreams. In class, students can practice role playing with their peers, taking on the role of the customer and reversing to see how each side might react in a number of different situations. By closely examining human behavior, they can improve their ability to deal with all kinds of personalities they might meet in the future.
Students who are interested in getting their careers started in the petroleum production sector can enroll in business courses at Reeves College. For more information, fill out the form on the right.