Santos
Riding a steep Learning Curve
Carl Greenstreet, manager of Gas Exploitation and Eastern Australia Development for Santos brought three graduates with him to the Careers Speakers Program for 2010. Each speaker left one message ringing clearly in our ears – “It’s all about the opportunity.”
Graduate and vacation positions are available at Santos. The Vacation Program for Geology, Geophysics or Engineering students is held between November and January in which participants are given a unique chance to work on a project and then present to senior employers at the conclusion of the program.
Adelaide Engineering Graduate, Nick Harley worked part time in business construction throughout his studies and was not going to apply for a position at Santos. After he was convinced by a friend to apply for the Graduate Program, Nick attended an interview and was so impressed by what Santos had to offer that he was hooked.
Nick says that students who take up the Graduate Program roles are given “real jobs” straight away. This kind of responsibility is big, but Santos has a “great culture” and they track graduates’ career progression by organising a mentor to care for your career and life development. It is this kind of safety net that allows graduates the ability to feel at ease with the large learning curve.
Exposure to three different, serious rotations throughout the Graduate Program and a strong social network, makes graduates appreciate all disciplines and understand the many elements that contribute to driving the business.
Fellow Engineering graduate Khalee Field says that some of the challenges faced by graduates are technical, personal and management challenges. With the right guidance, being thrown into large projects, overseas travel and secondments to other companies makes the large responsibility placed on young graduates more rewarding. Khalee recognises that graduates are able to learn from these experiences and opportunities. The Graduate Program gives young professionals a chance to “make a difference” and get involved in the community.
