Saw another new hire post here. I have less than a year working here, Houston office. I am a mechanical engineer, and I get sh– done, resourceful etc. I had job offers at different companies coming out of college other than Shell that were not oil and gas, but the benefits and name recognition at Shell was to good to pass up. Its a cool company, but just curious what you guys think about it for a long term future (10-20 years into my career). Do the benefits, 401k, pension etc outweigh the cyclical nature of this company.? I work in downstream btw. Some say it has an extra layer of stability. Curious to any of u guys thoughts! Thanks!
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It was a great company to work for when I joined more than a decade ago. But constant MORs and re-org year over year really weighted me down to a point enough was enough. After 10 years, I moved on to another company where I could finally felt safe to focus on life and career development. There are more important things in my life than MORs and re-org. My advice is to find something that fits you best and let go of the ones dragged you down because life is short for it.
Only grads hired with start date in 2020 are safe
I'm not sure who's saying leave shell and you'll bank. The benefits and salaries at other companies are sh*t compared to Shell. Believe this coming from a someone who has access to all the comps across multiple companies. Ask about a bonus or a sign on at other companies, and you'll be laughed at.
If you're going to stick with downstream- go to P66 or Motiva.
Although word of warning? Motiva isn't keen on hiring ex-shell people because the long timers can't think out of the box- too driven by process and butt kissing.
In Unconventionals layoffs will not affect grads hired in 2019 to present
Shell is a very generous company, really great to work for, but keep in mind Shell has a 4-year window system. My advice is after every 4 years, look for new opportunities BOTH internally and externally to propell your career to the next level. Someone gave me this advice when I joined, and it has served me well. The first window got me a promotion and 4-year extension, so I stayed. The second window got me nothing, so they extended the window one more year, which is demeaning, but I was offerred a management position from another operator, so I left. Everyone's experience is different. Your instinct will guide you well.
For your own sake, leave as soon as you can. The industry is historically ruthless to personnel. This tendency will only be exacerbated with the long-term transition to clean fuels. I graduated with a UT petroleum engineering degree during the 80’s downturn. As an undergrad, I had worked summers for Shell on a maintenance crew in the Permian Basin, and also conducted a reservoir simulation study, while assigned to the Woodcreek office. After all of this, Shell reneged on a job offer the spring semester of my senior year, leaving me unemployed and with the recruiting season over. To make matters worse, my father, a lifelong Shell manager had just died; and while this was well known at the time to the people at Shell, they could not have cared less. I eventually got an MBA, moved to the East Coast, and have been gainfully employed since then in management and corporate strategy.
The truth is that the "creme of the crop" employees are recruited out of college and work for Shell for a maximum of 5 years and then move on to much greater salaries at other companies. The "not as great" (but still good) employees stay on and retire with Shell, but don't make nearly as much.
This is really obvious in that top executive management positions are most often filled externally rather than via promotion of career Shell employees.
No matter how good you are you will always have the thought in the back of your head “when will it be my time to get laid off”. If you can deal with that and are willing to take the bad with the good, then go for it. Me personally, I have had enough of the constant reorg and layoffs cycle. I’m out for good if this is my time.
Don't ever think of staying anywhere more than 10 years unless you see growth. Otherwise pack prepare keep your resume updated, look around and move around. Doesn't matter how good you are, these companies will lay you off let you go at any point which is why it's an "open shop" don't ever forget that.
I would try to always be proactive in developing your career. Be on the offense. Keep your resume updated on linkedin. Build your network. And always be on the lookout for better opportunities. You have to know what is important to YOU. What are YOUR personal goals in life. What makes you happy and fulfilled. This is what should drive your decisions.
If you are married, i suggest you get out of OG as fast as you can because it will be your turn to receive the pink slip in a matter of time. It is not worth it to go through the stress. Speaking from my own experience.
ADVICE: stay on for about 5 years and then go to an independent, where you will really bank. Shell will look good on your resume, but i would not make a career out of it (in hindsight),.
@vpa. Thx there is a pension still but not nearly as big as it was a few years back. At least thats what my offer letter says....Thx for your input!
Hi- you've only worked there a year during a time of low oil prices (good for downstream), with a downstream at the head of the company– so this changes over time.
IMHO- the days of oil are waning, and Shell will continue to look for areas of profitability, but none will be as lucrative as big oil was (Shell is selling electricity- this is not a high margin area). It will continue to contract unless it seriously takes on a new business model.
I'm not sure what you mean by pension– there is no longer a defined benefit plan there, but there is a 401K. It is still a fairly generous company in terms of remuneration, but that is being impacted also by pushing down the grading of jobs, and of course the lack of progression for most people there.
Shell is a great company if you are high potential; it's also a great company to be from; Shell has a good reputation for being technically robust, however commercially naive.
Depending upon what you want- it may or may not be the place for you in the longer term. However, don't count on it wanting you for the long term since nowadays few people make it to full retirement.