 “You need to get your name out there, attend technical meetings, and put a face to your name.”
Cindy was awarded a UTT bursary for the final year (2005) of her four-year Honours degree in Applied Geology at the University of the Western Cape. After university she joined Schlumberger as a reservoir engineer doing software support. She then made a career move and has been with Tullow Oil SA as a petroleum geologist since April 2007.
We asked Cindy a few questions.
What does your work involve?
My colleagues and I work to identify and evaluate the petroleum potential of areas within Africa. Through this we encourage the company to take on new or existing exploration opportunities. Geologists also get involved in the production aspects, working with a team to determine where to drill and the best possible method to get the oil out from the subsurface.
Was it easy to get the UTT bursary?
To be honest it wasn’t that easy, you needed to know the right people to speak to. The application forms were easy to get hold of though.
How did you hear about UTT?
The Department of Earth Sciences at the University of the Western Cape is a big promoter of UTT.
How do you view the future of your field?
The oil industry is very big at this moment in time and the future seems bright with the oil price what it is today. But the markets dictate the future, so one cannot be complacent. The discovery sizes are decreasing, and so this field of study is becoming more specialised.
Do you have any tips or advice for students?
It is all about perseverance in this field; the jobs become available when the market is good. You also need to get your name out there, attend technical meetings and put a face to your name. This really helps in interviews if you happened to have met an interviewee before at a conference or a meeting. If you get involved in societies, you will show commitment which is always a plus on your CV.
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