I currently work as an Exploration & Production Data Manager in central Aberdeen, after graduating in June from the University of St Andrews with a Geology BSc (Hons.). My home town is Salisbury in Wiltshire, although I grew up in Hong Kong and Germany.
For me, Aberdeen represents a fantastic opportunity to work in an environment so closely connected to the oil & gas industry. My previous internships with HESS Corporation (Exploration) and KPMG LLP (Energy Markets) in London confirmed the attraction of pursuing a career within the energy sector. After several visits to the ‘Granite City’ during my time at St Andrews, I realised that Aberdeen would likely be the best place to start, and offered a welcoming contrast to the hectic pace of life in London.
Regular conferences and presentations, such as those run by the PESGB (Petroleum Exploration Society of Great Britain) and AFES (Aberdeen Formation Evaluation Society) offer the chance to hear from leading experts and find out about exiting new prospects and projects. Aberdeen Young Professionals (AYP) also organises regular social functions, providing a solid networking platform for workers across all disciplines.
While Aberdeen acts as the focal point for European oil & gas, the city also boasts a historical medical school and ancient university dating to 1495, and since moving to Aberdeen, I’ve met professionals working within a wide range of industries. With a GDP higher than London, and an unemployment rate less than 1.5%, it’s hard to pick fault with a city undergoing one of the fastest economic growth rates in the UK. The recent Offshore Europe event or ‘oil week’ as it’s commonly referred to by locals, is a fitting example of the sheer scale of business and development currently taking place in Aberdeen.
As an avid fly-fisherman I have also been able to make use of the fantastic countryside that surrounds Aberdeen, with the Rivers Dee and Don within close reach. Regular trains to the relatively close proximity of Inverness and Elgin also offer the chance to visit the world famous River Spey and sample some of Scotland’s finest Malts.
Make of it what you will, but for me, Aberdeen has certainly exceeded all expectations.
By
Chris Knox
AYP Member
Aberdeen Young Professionals 