Shared Vision (August 2005)

Abstract

My visits with members and students on every continent over the past year have convinced me that SPE is a dynamic organization able to respond quickly to new needs. But we cannot afford to be complacent about our current success. I want to report here the progress we have made in 2005 and areas where we still have work to do. I began my term with a vision of making SPE more appealing for every sector of our membership—students, young professionals, experienced members, and educators—and for every geographic area, from mature areas where SPE has been active for decades to emerging areas that are just beginning to understand the value of SPE. In reality, I have given priority to students and young professionals, and to emerging areas. These areas represent the future of our industry and of SPE. Among our greatest accomplishments this year is the rapid implementation of new programs geared to young professionals. Our young professionals program has not just taken off, it is now self-propelled around the world by a common recognition that it is necessary and wise to promote the development of the next generation. Young professionals currently represent about one-third of our membership. In 5 years, they may make up a greater share of our membership. We have produced two issues of The Way Ahead magazine for young professionals, started young professionals groups from South America to the Middle East, and held young-member workshops in Asia Pacific as well as in Europe. In June, our Board of Directors approved a new regional award that recognizes the achievements of young members and an Ambassador Lecturer program for young members to speak to university groups about the opportunities in the industry. Our challenge is to continue to sup-port our young members by introducing new ideas and programs. In addition to technical competence, young members need soft skills: learning how to write an abstract and present a paper; understanding how to manage and facilitate a meeting; developing interpersonal and leadership skills. We must develop allies from outside SPE who are experts in communications, psychology, and leadership development to help us provide these abilities. I have spent much of the year meeting with students in petroleum engineering and related fields at universities around the world, including those without an SPE student chapter. I am pleased that we have added 22 student chapters in my term and now have 144 student chapters in 42 countries. This outstanding number of new student chapters reflects the support of Halliburton in covering student membership fees, and Schlumberger and BJ Services in underwriting the cost of university eLibrary subscriptions. I have found that there is a tremendous impact in reaching students at the local level, explaining to them SPE's mission and all the benefits SPE offers for their career and personal development. University educators are also strategic to our future in preparing those who will enter our industry. Educators struggle for financial support and to have a voice in the industry. We need to provide more visibility for educators in SPE and make better use of our online professional network for them.