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Career Barrier for Women Shifts from Entering the Industry to Climbing the Career Ladder: HE Sheikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qasimi
Abu Dhabi, UAE – 11 November 2014 – Although great strides have been made when it comes to women entering the energy sector, the present challenge for female professionals in the field lies in attaining senior-level positions, according to women leaders in the oil and gas industry.
Women leaders shared their insights during a panel discussion on “Women in Industry”, which is an exclusive series of ADIPEC 2014 events and initiatives held under the patronage of H.E. Sheikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of International Cooperation and Development, and dedicated to women in the energy sector. The event featured live on-stage discussions and interviews with H.E. Sheikha Lubna and women leaders from major industry players, including Total, Occidental Petroleum, and ExxonMobil, outlining the panellists' journeys to success.
The discussion spotlighted the changing role of women in the oil and gas industry over the last 30 years, when the first Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC), now one of the world's largest energy events, took place. The event also looked at speakers' views on the ever-changing roles of women both now and three decades into the future, and what the professional scene for women might look like in 2044.
H.E. Sheikha Lubna, who was also the first lady to be appointed to a ministerial post in the UAE, said that the challenges facing women today have evolved from what they were 30 years ago.
“Three decades ago, yes, the challenge was getting women into the energy sector, but now it is much easier for women to pursue a career in engineering – it is no longer a rarity. Most companies now recognise the valuable skillset that women bring to the table, however now the barrier has shifted,” said H.E. Sheikha Lubna.
“Today the challenge facing women lies in attaining leadership positions within their companies. We have all seen the statistics about the drastically low proportion of women in senior-level posts. How can organisations provide their female employees with opportunities for professional development? This is the challenge we are facing now, and this is the difference between that era and today.”
A recent study by PricewaterhouseCoopers looked at the 100 largest listed oil and gas companies in the world and found that only 11 per cent of board seats were held by women.
The results from the study demonstrate the strong need for corporate policies that support women's professional development. However other factors, which are relevant to all employees, also play an important role in determining the potential for growth.
Vicki Hollub, President of Occidental Oil and Gas in the Americas, emphasised that positive energy is key to climbing the career ladder, while the opposite can be a “career-killer”.
“Try to stay positive and avoid complaining. If something is bothering you, communicate it constructively. Some personalities have the ability to zap the energy out of everyone around them. Ask yourself the question, ‘would anybody want to work with me'? If the answer is no, then you need to change your approach,” Hollub said.
“It is important not to walk around with a chip on your shoulder about being a woman. Just be positive, energetic, and forward-looking – these are traits that all employers look for.”
Speakers agreed that access and opportunities to work in the oil and gas industry are now widely available to women compared to three decades ago.
Kathy Pepper, Vice President of the ExxonMobil Production Company in the Middle East and Russia, said: “Employers are acknowledging all the values that women bring into the workplace. With the demand for a talented workforce in the energy sector, they also now need to recruit women in greater quantities. They are beginning to realise that women are not looking for special treatment, but an open and an accommodating corporate environment.”
However significant improvement is still needed in other areas, such as social attitudes in the workplace, Pepper added.
“Studies have shown that if a woman were to make a suggestion in a meeting, she would get far less support than if a man were to make the same suggestion. We have a responsibility to ensure that not only do women's ideas get heard, but also considered. So yes, we have come a long way in 30 years, but we still have a way to go.”
There is no shortage of educational programmes in engineering for those looking to pursue a career in energy, H.E. Sheikha Lubna said. However planting that seed of passion for the sciences, and educating girls from a young age that this career path is, in fact, a viable option are key to developing a female workforce in the oil and gas industry.
“We need to get women to love science and math, and this needs to happen during their early years, from the time they are still in school. Grassroots education and awareness is critical, and this is where the unified effort of schools, parents, and the overall community is essential,” said H.E. Sheikha Lubna.
Having both a family and a career is possible, but not without grit, said Elisabeth Proust, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Total in Nigeria.
“Yes, you certainly can have it all, but you need determination and you need patience. You must not forget that you have your entire future to develop your career, so it is okay to hit the pause button for a while until you are ready to continue moving up the career ladder,” Proust said.
“It will be difficult, especially when you see your male colleagues moving on, but you must not be discouraged and lose your way. You have plenty of time to continue growing, and with patience and determination, you will find your path.”
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