MIDLAND, Texas — The oil and gas industry is a big part of what puts West Texas on the map.
On Monday, a company in Midland took a seat in the classroom to inspire the next generation.
“The future of energy is bright, and we want to inspire the students here today to join us in our efforts and to be interested in a career in oil and gas,” said Chevron Public and Government Affairs Advisor Catie Matthews.
A few female engineers from Chevron sat down with students at Legacy High School to talk about the oil and gas industry.
The first task was getting students interested in energy as early as possible.
“It's imperative for every industry whether it be oil and gas, finance, healthcare, any industry to reach out to the students while they're younger and in the high school years," Matthews said. "Maybe even in junior high to start reaching them when they're forming the skill sets when they start developing those core interest areas so that we can help them prepare for what's ahead.”
Once they found those students, it was time to equip them with tools for success.
"What does it take to have a career in the oil and gas industry for different jobs?" Matthews said. "What are the high school requirements, what are the post-secondary requirements, what can they do to prepare for a career in this field?"
More so, Chevron wanted students to understand that the oil and gas industry isn't all about getting dirty at a drill site, there's something for everyone in the business.
"You can work in finance, you can work in legal, you can work in technology...we are technology, technology is the oil and gas industry's future," Matthews said. "So with any interest in any skill set there's something for you in the oil and gas industry and I encourage everybody to look into it."
And for one senior the message was clearly received.
"Like they said at the panel: We're the heart of the oil industry here in Texas and basically all over the United States," Senior Sydnee Patman said. "So, the opportunities are really limitless. You can be somebody who works in the field, which is what I would probably go into if I was to go into the oil industry, or you can sit in an office and help run the company. It's just It's whatever your mind can do."
While the discussion was open to all students, there was also a goal to inspire young women to pursue a career in energy. That hit home for Patman.
"It was definitely inspiring seeing the fact that there can be so many females doing so many different things and so many opportunities," Patman said. "Whenever normally, I'm the only girl my auto tech class so it doesn't feel like there's a lot and then you come out here and there's so many."
The oil and gas industry is ever growing and changing, and its future leaders will likely get their start at talks like these.