I’ve spent my entire career in Big Oil, and here’s a piece of advice from someone who’s been around for a while: never stay in one company for too long. This used to be an industry where you could build a career based on your performance, and where specific skills and experience really mattered. That stopped being true a long time ago.
The old days weren’t perfect, but at least hard work was recognized. Nowadays, don’t expect that what you think is valuable to actually be valued.
So don’t be a hard worker, be a smart one. Save your money, invest wisely, keep sharpening your skills, and always put yourself first. Stay alert for new opportunities, because no one else will look out for you like you do.