Kelly Burnett believes that some of the best training in the country is helping her forge a career path in the oil and gas industry.
Kelly joined project management and subsea specialist CSL in February this year as subsea support services co-ordinator as a dedicated resource on a contract with a major operator in the North Sea.
A trained soldier, Kelly has served in the British Army regular and reserves as a junior NCO for more than 10 years, in the UK, Germany and Cyprus, and as a combat HR specialist and radio operator in support of operations and on peacekeeping missions alongside the UN.
“The skills which I learned in the Army are definitely helping me in my current career,” she said.
“My training has made me highly adaptable which I think is a strong point; I’m good at prioritising and re-prioritising to ensure the customer’s needs are met and I am confident working with colleagues at every level in the company. The Army also taught me to appreciate that attention to detail is key and that routine administration is a necessity, not a chore, which is very relevant to what I do now.”
Kelly was drawn to the oil and gas sector after a tour spent on full-time reserve service in Germany came to an end.
“I considered different career options,” she said, “but was particularly interested in this industry because I knew I had a skill set and level of experience which were transferable and adaptable to the sector. Admittedly, a private sector salary held a certain attractiveness too.
“The military constantly pushes individuals to do better. It is crucial for career progression so a willingness to learn and keep learning is essential. The ethos that you can continue to develop throughout your career appealed immensely. The opportunity to continue to improve my skills, experience and education within an oil and gas environment seemed too good to pass, as CSL fully supports career and personal development.”
Born in Zimbabwe, Kelly moved to Scotland with her family when she was a teenager and completed her education in Aberdeen. She has worked in the oil and gas sector for just over a year, first in project training and logistics with another company before joining CSL on a temporary basis, being offered a permanent contract within a few months.
“By being willing to learn, I have progressed already,” she said.
“CSL is a great company to work for because they really listen to you, they value you and they invest in you. That’s something I had in my military career; you are encouraged to ask questions and give suggestions.
“The military is still a big part of my life. I’m still a member of the armed forces and spend at least 27 days a year on duty. I serve with the Aberdeen Universities’ Officer Training Corps, which provides military and leadership training to university students. That has improved my own communication and leadership skills and that’s something else I can apply to my job. CSL is very supportive of my ongoing role with the military because the skills I continue to develop are of benefit the company.”
The Army taught Kelly that she could do anything she set out to do and, with the right training and guidance, she believes that’s equally applicable in the oil and gas industry.
“I think the old stereotype of being a woman working in a man’s world no longer exists in oil and gas,” she said. “There are so many highly competent women now working in high-profile jobs who are there because they have worked hard and who have provided us with some outstanding role models to aspire to.
“My advice to any woman considering a career in oil and gas is not to rely on or restrict yourself by what you think women can or should be doing in the industry – but to decide what you want to do and go after it with determination and the tenacity to succeed.”