the problem is not chevron, the oil and gas industry is just a challenging and very uncertain place for a career. Even if a company was very well managed, it would be extremely lean - with possible strong shift to less profitable business at any point in time (ccus, renewable etc…) … leading to layoff, cut in benefits …
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I have worked for other O&Gs. The payoff for happiness on your job is to find a company whose guiding principles and strategy align with your personal beliefs. Those companies are out there, you have to do your homework when looking around and interviewing. Have a strong network who give you honest opinions.
As for me, I thought when I hired on at Chevron (I was a rare external hire), that this was the right company for me, and it was for a while. Things changed with the company, though. It's sad that Chevron Way was cast aside, the company's guiding principles and O&G strategy were scuttled for trendy and ill-thought ventures, the dividend and stock buy-backs became more important than organically growing the company. The old adage that 'people are our most valuable resource' became a joke. I was more than happy to EOI in 2020.
Lots of people are correct here, but few (still working) want to admit it - O&G, only 10-15 years ago the highest paying industry with employees flocking to it, is now a ship taking on water. The world is changing, but more importantly, the industry gave up on itself, choosing to sheepishly move away from its core strength (and money producer) oil and gas, and instead believe what they were told on TikTok and other social media. Lots of money being thrown away on half-baked social engineering and energy transition efforts, none of which are having any positive effect on the bottom line, either now or in the foreseeable future. For Chevron, the coup-de-grace was letting all that experience (and level headedness) get away in 2020.
I don't work at CVX. Takers will be takers and givers will continue to give. Thou doth protest too much. Trolling the layoff's board of your former employer as you brag about how great you think you are or have it is neither a good look nor very believable. Have a nice day.
Your stance on being a 'giver' while looking down on tech/finance professionals for their financial success is not only ironic but fundamentally flawed. Comfortably positioned at CVX with its notable salaries, you're in no position to cast aspersions on others based on earnings. True altruism and societal contribution transcend salary figures. Painting tech workers as 'takers' due to their income and WFH arrangements is an oversimplification. It's hypocritical to judge their contributions while enjoying the privileges of your own well-compensated role. Real giving is measured by impact, not by industry or paychecks. So, in light of this, what tangible impact have you made? How does your role at CVX contribute to societal betterment beyond personal financial success?
No, they're not shooting up the messenger at all but I will. some prefer to slack and ride on the backs of others and some prefer to carry their own load and don't mind carrying that of other's if it benefits others and the community. That's just the way they think and act, and they have a moral compass. They enjoy giving. Other's enjoy taking and that's it.
Back in 2019, I made a switch from Chevron, undoubtedly one of the top players in the Oil & Gas industry with its laid-back vibe, impressive stock performance, and stable jobs, to the ever-dynamic tech sector. Chevron was great, with hardly any external hires over five years, reflecting its strong internal culture. However, Oil & Gas, once a beacon of high pay and prestige, doesn't quite sparkle with the same allure anymore. It's not the hotspot for exciting, opportunity-rich careers it used to be.
Some folks are comfortable with this and stick around as it's best strategy for them, making the most of what Oil & Gas offers. Others, like me, opt for a change and leap into different industries. Then there are those who struggle to accept this shift, perhaps like @1lub, and end up shooting the messenger.
In the tech world, the pace is exhilarating, brimming with innovation and driven by a legion of ambitious newcomers. It's not just work; it's about mentoring future stars (not a lot of those left in O&G unfortunately). When was the last time you encountered a new grad at CVX who truly blew your mind with their talent and drive? The financial perks are notable too – I'm earning 80% more, eyeing early retirement at 40 instead of 55. Job-hopping is part of the culture here, often leading to promotions and pay raises, a stark contrast to the more stable, but less dynamic environment at Chevron.
Every place has its pros and cons, but it's less about right or wrong and more about what suits you. The key is to be open to the realities of each industry without taking offense when confronted with them.
If you have a high-paid do nothing WFH west-coast tech job, good for you, sounds like you do, @1uoy. Most of us don't and have to actually work for a living, and many of us enjoy it and the satisfaction, fulfillment, and understand that someone has to keep engines and electrical power generators and literally, America and other first world nations, running so those tech workers can sit on their @sses, travel if they want to, and stay warm. You're welcome. Happy Holidays!
You guys need to get out more and talk to people in other industries. Oil and gas has never been a great place to work unless you were some sort of grease monkey who liked the money from working offshore because your alternative was a local transmission shop. For almost any office job, there have been infinitely more respectable, exciting and rapidly changing/growing and liberal work environments in tech for decades. In addition, great jobs in the finance and entertainment industries. Oil and gas is one step (if that) above other irrelevant old economy American businesses like steel, coal, tobacco, and so forth. The income is sort of guaranteed and control by commodity prices so all management is left to do is control prices and increase market share through mergers. The employees are always caught in the middle.
Meanwhile, your geeky college buddies who moved to San Jose, LA or Austin are enjoying taking their dog to work, free childcare and meals, stock worth tens of millions and doing exciting, hilarious cutting edge work every single day. The absolutely love their long hours because they have great jobs. Many now WFH a lot as well. They built out home computing, then the internet, then the online version of every business including film/video/p o r n. You still use the same technology from 1972 to drill a well with your fingers crossed for some oil, but don't get lucky much.
I've worked for other oil and gas companies as well as CVX. I can tell you that at their core all have been the same. There is a selected group that will succeed. Everyone else gets the crumbs. I would rank CVX as the best of the worst. It's not saying much but that's my opinion.
Most things in life come down to one’s attitude and perspective. These two things more than academics or the lack thereof is what will determine your level of success and happiness. Ponder that seriously.
No, @tto+, you are wrong. 26+ years and been at 2 other majors and a consulting firm. But it makes no difference, young up and coming bright professionals can also have the insight to recognize these things.
Definitely coming from someone who has never worked anywhere else…