After studying Economics at the University of Edinburgh and with a keen interest in culture, Hannah originally explored management consultancy as a career but then came across the BP Analytics Graduate Scheme. Here she tells us about her introduction to the industry and her experiences.
The Analytics Scheme sounded interesting and demonstrated to me that the oil and gas industry might be a good one in which to pursue a career. I managed to get an interview but it turned out that the analytics graduate scheme was full so BP suggested I might consider its Trading Graduate Scheme instead… I came for an assessment day and ended up being offered a role.
Joining BP straight from university was daunting but the main reason I chose BP over other employers I met was because I so enjoyed the assessment days – the organisation has a nice feel and friendly, welcoming people. IST itself is hard working and fast paced but critically also fun and supportive which is the best thing about it.
"The organisation has a nice feel and friendly, welcoming people"
During my first year I was on the crude oil bench mainly doing analytics and trade support. Now I have moved over to fuel oil operations, the logistics behind the movement of the oil. The responsibility I have been given is amazing, I have been relied on straight from the beginning which is immensely motivating.
While there are a lot more men than women it is not that archetypal trading floor culture I imagined, it is actually really nice and supportive – things have moved on.
"It almost feels a privilege to work in an area of industry that affects so much of the everyday lives of people around the world"
And as a career it almost feels a privilege to work in an area of industry that affects so much of the everyday lives of people around the world – the trading of energy resources. I often watch international news items on the TV in the evening wondering how they will affect my work the next day – it demonstrates the very real link between the trading floor and the political and economic world around us.
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Huge thanks to Hannah for talking to us about her career so far. To find out more about BP and the various roles they have on offer, check out their profile here.