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Energy Sector Heroes ~ Careers in Oil & Gas, Sustainability & Renewable Energy

Energy Sector Heroes ~ Careers in Oil & Gas, Sustainability & Renewable Energy

Hosted by Michelle Fraser

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Episodes

164

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

EN

About the show

Welcome to Energy Sector Heroes! This podcast is all about showcasing stand-out individuals in the energy sector and their inspiring careers. If you're interested in making a name for yourself in the energy industry, this is the perfect show for you. Each episode, we'll sit down with a different energy sector hero and learn about their journey to success, the challenges they faced along the way, and the valuable lessons they learned. From engineers and scientists to executives and entrepreneurs, we'll hear from a diverse range of professionals who are making a real impact in the world of energy. Tune in to Energy Sector Heroes to get motivated, learn from the best, and start your journey to becoming an energy sector hero too!

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60 recent
June 16, 202637 min

How Graduates Can Break Into Hydrogen and Renewable Energy with Dr. Naveed Akhtar | Energy Sector Heroes

This episode will be particularly useful for students, graduates, early career professionals, and anyone interested in hydrogen, decarbonisation, and the future of energy. As the industry continues to balance energy security, sustainability, and new technologies, understanding where opportunities are emerging can help you make more informed career decisions. In this conversation, I speak with Dr. Naveed Akhtar, who has spent more than 25 years working across hydrogen, fuel cells, renewable energy, and industrial decarbonisation projects around the world. We discuss career pathways into hydrogen, the skills employers are looking for, the role of higher education, and why gaining the right experience early can shape your long term career. 🎙️ In This EpisodeDr. Naveed shares his journey from establishing one of Pakistan’s first hydrogen research laboratories to leading international hydrogen projects and creating the International Hydrogen Aviation Conference (IHAC).We discuss:🔹 How hydrogen and electrification are shaping the future of energy🔹 The sectors where hydrogen is expected to play the biggest role, including aviation, heavy transport, and maritime🔹 Why internships, industry placements, and practical experience can make a significant difference when applying for jobs🔹 The value of Master's degrees and PhDs in technical energy careers🔹 How graduates can approach major energy companies even when opportunities are not publicly advertised🔹 The importance of building experience with large organisations early in your career🔹 The growing role of sustainable aviation fuels and hydrogen powered aviation technologies💡 Three Key Takeaways✅ Start building industry experience before you graduateNaveed emphasises the value of internships, placements, master's projects, and thesis work. Even a short placement can help you stand out when applying for your first role.✅ Develop expertise in areas linked to energy transitionHydrogen, fuel cells, batteries, renewable energy, and sustainable aviation fuels are creating new opportunities as governments and companies continue to invest in decarbonisation.✅ Be proactive when looking for opportunitiesMany opportunities never appear on job boards. Reaching out directly to companies, hiring managers, and industry professionals can open doors that might otherwise remain hidden.🚀 Three Actionable Takeaways🔹 Review your CV and LinkedIn profile to make sure any renewable energy, sustainability, engineering, research, or project experience is clearly highlighted.🔹 Identify 10 companies working in hydrogen, renewables, sustainable fuels, or decarbonisation and connect with relevant professionals on LinkedIn.🔹 If you're still studying, start exploring internships, industry placements, summer projects, or dissertation opportunities linked to energy transition technologies.Thank you for listening to Energy Sector Heroes. If you enjoy the show, please consider following, rating, or sharing it with someone who may benefit from the conversation.Mentioned in this episode:Granola AIHead to go.granola.ai/michelle for a full one‑month trial of Granola.

June 9, 202647 min

How to Build a Career in Decommissioning with Francis Norman | Energy Sector Heroes

If you work in energy whether you're early in your career, considering working overseas, or thinking about where the sector is heading this conversation matters to you.Many of us started in oil and gas, new builds, commissioning, or brownfield projects. Now the landscape is shifting. Decommissioning is accelerating globally. Sustainability expectations are rising. International mobility is more complex. And younger engineers are asking different questions about purpose and long term opportunity.In this episode, I speak with Francis Norman, CEO and Managing Director of the Centre of Decommissioning Australia (CODA). We explore how he moved from traditional engineering into decommissioning, why this space is far more technically complex than many realise, and what advice he would give to engineers starting out today.We also talk honestly about working abroad, building confidence early in your career, and why flexibility may be the most valuable skill you can develop in the energy sector.🔎 What We CoverWhy decommissioning should be viewed as its own industry not just the “end of life” phaseThe technical complexity behind plugging wells, removing platforms, and dismantling offshore infrastructureWhy unknowns and incomplete documentation are part of the engineering challengeThe long term global outlook for decommissioning careersThe realities of working abroad including the self doubt and growth that come with itWhy energy careers in the future will demand flexibility across hydrocarbons, renewables, and carbon capture🎯 Three Key Takeaways🔹 Decommissioning is technically demanding and long termThis is not a short cycle phase. It will span decades globally and requires deep engineering judgement under uncertainty.🔹 Early career engineers should prioritise learning over positioningYour first 4–5 years are about mastering fundamentals, not chasing titles.🔹 International experience accelerates maturityWorking abroad forces decision making, builds resilience, and expands perspective in ways office based roles rarely do.🛠️ Three Actionable Takeaways✅ If you are in new build or brownfield ask to shadow a decommissioning scope.Exposure builds optionality. Even one project gives you transferable experience.✅ In your first five years, say “yes” more often than “no.”Secondments, site work, overseas assignments these experiences compound over time.✅ Broaden your definition of “energy.”Oil, gas, offshore wind, carbon capture, decommissioning, hydrogen your core engineering skillset can transfer across all of them.The energy sector is changing, but the need for skilled engineers is not disappearing. The engineers who thrive will be those who stay curious, technically grounded, and adaptable.Mentioned in this episode:Granola AIHead to go.granola.ai/michelle for a full one‑month trial of Granola.

June 2, 202630 min

🎙️ Starting a Career in HSEQ: Advice for Graduates and Energy Professionals with Emmanuela Uzoechina | Energy Sector Heroes

As the energy industry continues to evolve through decarbonisation, hydrogen, carbon capture and renewables, there is growing demand for professionals who can help organisations manage risk, protect people and support safe project delivery.In this episode, I speak with HSEQ leader Emmanuela Uzoechina about her journey into the energy sector, how health, safety, environment and quality functions are changing, and why HSEQ professionals have an important role to play in the future of energy.We discuss career pathways into HSEQ, the skills that remain relevant across industries, and how organisations can prepare for the challenges that come with new technologies and emerging energy sectors.Whether you're considering a career in HSEQ, working on major projects, or interested in the future workforce requirements of the energy transition, there is plenty to think about in this conversation.🔑 Three Key Takeaways🦺 HSEQ is becoming more than compliance and assurance The role is increasingly focused on enabling operations, supporting project delivery and helping organisations build stronger safety cultures rather than simply enforcing rules.🌍 The energy transition is creating new challenges and opportunities As industries move into hydrogen, carbon capture, renewables and other emerging technologies, new risks, competency requirements and safety considerations are developing alongside them.🎯 Career paths are rarely linear There is no single route into HSEQ. Professionals enter from science, engineering, operations, HR and many other backgrounds, bringing transferable skills that can add value across the sector.✅ Three Actionable Takeaways📚 Identify one future focused skill to develop this year Look at areas such as hydrogen, carbon capture, renewable energy, risk management or safety leadership and commit to building your knowledge.🤝 Speak with professionals outside your immediate discipline Understanding how other functions operate can help you uncover career opportunities and transferable skills you may not have considered.🔍 Look for gaps that need solving Rather than focusing solely on job titles, think about where organisations are facing challenges and how your skills can help address them.🎧 About My GuestEmmanuela Uzoechina is an operational HSEQ leader with experience across offshore platforms, LNG facilities, hydrogen projects and major hazard environments. She is passionate about safety culture, people development, operational excellence and supporting organisations through the energy transition.Mentioned in this episode:Granola AIHead to go.granola.ai/michelle for a full one‑month trial of Granola.

May 26, 202629 min

Why Engineers Must Keep Learning to Stay Ahead with Segun Faniran | Energy Sector Heroes

If you work in energy, engineering, construction, or infrastructure, this episode matters because long term careers are rarely built on technical ability alone. They’re built through learning, communication, teamwork, adaptability, and knowing how to grow through change. In this conversation, I speak with Segun Faniran, founder of Construct Africa, about building an international career, mentoring future talent, and how young professionals can create real value in the workplace. Segun shares how he moved from civil engineering in Nigeria into global consulting, academia, and leadership roles across Australia, the Middle East, and beyond. We discuss why working in different regions broadens your thinking, why mentorship matters at every career stage, and why asking questions can often accelerate growth faster than pretending to know everything. We also explore how AI may reshape engineering productivity, and why the human side of the profession — judgement, communication, collaboration, and leadership — will remain essential.🔑 Three Key Takeaways🔹 Never stop learning What you learn in university is a starting point. Real progress comes from staying curious, adapting to change, and learning continuously throughout your career.🔹 Technical skill alone is not enough Strong careers are built by adding value beyond your core role — helping teams, improving processes, communicating clearly, and supporting the wider business.🔹 Safe leadership builds better people The best leaders create environments where people can ask questions, take initiative, make mistakes, and grow with confidence.🎯 Three Actionable Takeaways✅ Ask one experienced person in your workplace for advice this month. A simple conversation can save you years of trial and error.✅ Volunteer for one initiative outside your day job. It could be a presentation, process improvement, graduate network, or team project. Visibility matters.✅ Review one recent mistake as a lesson. Write down what happened, what you learned, and what you’ll do differently next time.Mentioned in this episode:Granola AIHead to go.granola.ai/michelle for a full one‑month trial of Granola.

May 19, 202640 min

Future Proof Your Energy Career with ICSS and Cyber Skills with Tim Canning | Energy Sector Heroes

If you work in engineering, operations, projects or leadership within energy, this episode matters because modern assets rely on connected systems more than ever. When those systems fail, are poorly understood, or are left exposed, the impact can be operational, financial and safety related. In this conversation, I speak with Tim Canning about careers in ICSS, OT cyber security, mentoring, problem solving and how technical people can stay valuable as the industry evolves. Tim shares how he moved from the Air Force into the energy sector, built deep expertise in control and safety systems, and later transitioned into OT cyber security before it became a mainstream discipline. We also discuss the realities of working on live plants, handling pressure, and why broad technical curiosity can open doors throughout a career. What stood out to me most was Tim’s honest view on growth. He talks about when staying with one company can work, when it may be time to move on, and why learning adjacent skills can future proof your career. He also speaks openly about trust, mentorship and helping the next generation develop confidence in high pressure environments. 🔑 Three Key Takeaways🔹 Specialist skills create long term value Deep knowledge in areas like ICSS, automation or OT cyber security can make you highly relevant when industries change.🔹 Understand the whole system, not just your part Strong professionals learn how equipment, data, people and process all connect — that’s where better decisions are made.🔹 Experience should be passed on Real leadership includes mentoring others, listening well, and helping less experienced people grow.✅ Three Actionable Takeaways🔧 Build one niche skill this year Choose an area such as controls, cyber, reliability or project delivery and commit to becoming stronger in it.🔧 Learn one adjacent discipline If you are mechanical, learn controls. If you are controls, learn process operations. If you are project based, learn risk or commercials.🔧 Find one trusted person at work A mentor, peer or experienced colleague you can learn from honestly can accelerate your progress.Mentioned in this episode:Granola AIHead to go.granola.ai/michelle for a full one‑month trial of Granola.

May 12, 202639 min

Energy Careers: What Graduates Need to Know in 2026 with Daniel O' Meara | Energy Sector Heroes

If you work in energy, are studying for a technical career, or you’re trying to build a long term future in a changing market, this episode matters. I sat down with Daniel O’Meara, President of Geo2 Flow, to talk about what creates staying power in this sector, how technical careers evolve, and why mentorship still matters more than many people realise. Daniel shares how he moved from academia into the energy industry, built a specialist software business with global reach, and worked across multiple countries and disciplines over several decades. We also discuss how graduates can think more carefully about further study, choosing the right mentors, and building practical skills that employers value. This conversation is a useful reminder that careers are rarely linear. Sometimes the best opportunities come from being curious, staying adaptable, and learning how different parts of the industry connect.🔑 Three Key Takeaways🔹 Technical ability alone is not enough Strong careers are often built on communication, commercial awareness, and the ability to work across disciplines—not just deep technical knowledge. 🔹 Mentors can save years of trial and error A good mentor can help you focus on what matters, avoid poor choices, and understand how the real industry works beyond university or theory. 🔹 Global thinking creates opportunities Energy is an international sector. Being open to new markets, cultures, and ways of working can widen your options significantly. ✅ Three Actionable Takeaways🛠️ Review your current skill gaps Ask yourself: what would make me more employable in the next 12 months—technical tools, leadership skills, communication, or commercial understanding?🛠️ Find one credible mentor Look for someone with real industry experience whose career path you respect. Ask thoughtful questions and learn from their mistakes as well as their wins.🛠️ Think beyond your local market Research where investment is happening globally. Sometimes the best move is being willing to look outside your immediate area.🎧 Why Listen?If you’re a graduate, mid career professional, or experienced specialist thinking about your next move, this episode offers practical thoughts on career durability, learning, and staying relevant in a sector that keeps changing.Mentioned in this episode:Granola AIHead to go.granola.ai/michelle for a full one‑month trial of Granola.

May 5, 202630 min

Michael Durand: Energy Careers: Stay or Move? What Really Drives Progression | Energy Sector Heroes

If you’re building a career in the energy sector, this episode matters because it challenges how you think about progression, company choice, and long term direction. We often hear that success means moving companies, chasing titles, or maximising salary but this conversation looks at a different path: staying, growing, and making deliberate choices based on values, not just opportunity.In this episode, I speak with Michel Durand, Director at EDF, who shares what it looks like to build a 30+ year career within one organisation while still gaining diverse experiences across nuclear, overseas operations, and leadership roles. We talk about career decisions, working abroad, and how to assess whether a company is right for you not just on paper, but in reality.What stood out to me is how much of a career comes down to trade offs between risk and stability, salary and purpose, or staying versus leaving. There isn’t one “correct” path, but there are better decisions depending on what matters to you.🔑 Key Takeaways🔹 Career progression doesn’t always require moving companiesMichel built his career by taking opportunities internally rather than chasing external moves. Progression came from being open to new roles rather than actively chasing titles.🔹 Company values matter more than brandingIt’s important to look beyond what a company says and understand what it actually does especially around environment, people, and ethics. If your values don’t align, staying long term becomes difficult.🔹 Mobility creates opportunityBeing open to relocating whether internationally or within your own country can significantly expand your career options and expose you to larger, more complex projects.⚡ Actionable Takeaways👉 Do a values check on your current (or target) companyLook at their environmental policies, track record, and reputation. Then ask yourself honestly does this align with what I’m comfortable working on?👉 Tell your manager you’re open to new opportunitiesDon’t wait for opportunities to come to you. Make it clear you’re willing to move roles, locations, or take on new challenges.👉 Test your comfort with mobility earlyIf you’re early in your career, actively explore opportunities abroad or in different regions. Even one move can change your trajectory.Mentioned in this episode:Granola AIHead to go.granola.ai/michelle for a full one‑month trial of Granola.

April 28, 202652 min

The Future of Energy Careers: Stability, Risk and Transferable Skills with Jamie Young | Energy Sector Heroes

If you are building a career in energy — whether you’re a graduate, mid career professional, or senior leader — this conversation matters.The sector is evolving fast. Expectations around safety, sustainability, leadership and reputation have shifted dramatically. The pace of change is increasing. And for many of you listening, the question is no longer just “How do I succeed?” but “How do I build something meaningful and transferable?”In this episode, I speak with Jamie Young, former Risk Director at BP, who shares reflections from a 40 year career across oil & gas and mining.Jamie started as an apprentice in the North Sea and went on to lead global risk methodologies supporting executive leadership. Along the way, he experienced near fatal incidents, witnessed major industry disasters, and helped shape strategic responses to events that changed the sector permanently.We talk about what has genuinely improved in energy — particularly around safety culture and systems thinking — but also about the new challenges facing the industry: instability, cyclical restructures, technology disruption, and the importance of personal reputation.This is a grounded discussion about purpose, risk, leadership and how to show up well in a high stakes sector.💡 Three Key Takeaways🔹 Purpose isn’t abstract — it’s built from what you care aboutJamie’s sense of purpose didn’t appear overnight. It emerged from lived experience — from seeing what goes wrong and deciding to contribute to preventing it. Purpose is often found at the intersection of what affects you deeply and where you can add distinctive value.🔹 The industry is safer — but less stableOil and gas has made major strides in process safety, systems thinking, and operating discipline. However, career stability is no longer guaranteed. Reorganisations, volatility and existential pressures mean professionals must think long term and transferable.🔹 Reputation now matters more than everDoing good work is essential — but it must also be visible. In a cyclical industry, how you are perceived, how you collaborate, and what you are known for can influence opportunities and resilience.🎯 Three Actionable Takeaways📝 Define what you want to be known forWrite down three words that describe the professional you want to be. Align your behaviour and decisions to those words. Review them annually.🗣 Practise a 90 second professional summaryBe able to clearly and succinctly explain who you are, what you stand for, and the value you bring. This is essential for interviews, networking, and internal visibility.🌍 Build a network before you need oneAttend events, connect on LinkedIn, follow up with short conversations. Relationships built early provide optionality later — especially in a cyclical sector.Mentioned in this episode:Granola AIHead to go.granola.ai/michelle for a full one‑month trial of Granola.

April 21, 202636 min

Douglas Lumsden: Is the Energy Transition Costing Jobs? A Real Look at Oil, Gas & Renewables | Energy Sector Heroes

For anyone building a career in the energy sector, this conversation matters because it touches on something many of us are experiencing right now uncertainty. Whether you’re early in your career, trying to transition roles, or deciding which direction to take, the decisions being made at policy level are directly shaping job opportunities, salaries, and long term stability.In this episode, I speak with Douglas Lumsden, who moved from a 25 year career in oil and gas into politics. We talk about what’s really happening in the UK energy landscape, why opportunities feel more limited, and what this means for people working in or entering the sector.💡 What I took from this conversation🔹 The energy sector is still essential but it’s changing unevenly We are not using less oil and gas yet, but we are producing less of it domestically. That gap is being filled by imports, which has implications for jobs, costs, and energy security.🔹 Transition isn’t matching reality on the ground There’s a lot of focus on moving toward renewables, but the number of jobs available doesn’t yet match the roles being lost in oil and gas. That mismatch is creating pressure across the workforce.🔹 Policy decisions are shaping career paths Investment, hiring, and long term planning are heavily influenced by government policy. That means career stability in the sector is no longer just about technical skill it’s also about external factors outside our control.✅ Actionable takeaways🔸 Think in terms of “energy,” not just oil and gas If you’re planning your career, focus on skills that transfer across the wider energy sector engineering, project delivery, subsea, digital, and controls all move across industries.🔸 Stay flexible on location and opportunity Many professionals are moving internationally to maintain their careers. It’s worth considering mobility as part of your long term plan rather than a last resort.🔸 Build skills that bridge sectors Look for experience that sits between oil & gas and renewables (e.g. offshore engineering, commissioning, infrastructure). These areas are more resilient as the industry evolves.Mentioned in this episode:Granola AIHead to go.granola.ai/michelle for a full one‑month trial of Granola.

April 14, 202650 min

Mona Setoodeh: Energy Careers Explained: What Hiring Managers Really Look For | Energy Sector Heroes

If you’re a student, graduate, or early career professional trying to find your place in the energy sector, this episode matters because it breaks down what actually drives career progression beyond qualifications and job titles.In this conversation, I speak with Mona Setoodeh, an LNG specialist and Vice President, about how careers are really built in this industry from mentorship and self advocacy to hiring decisions and team dynamics.What stood out to me is that progression isn’t just about technical ability. It’s about how you position yourself, how you think, and how you show up in the room especially when it feels uncomfortable.We also get into the reality of interviews, what hiring managers are actually looking for, and how to create long term opportunities rather than just chasing the next role.🔑 Key Takeaways🧠 Your technical skills get you in your mindset keeps you progressingEmployers expect to teach you the technical side early on. What they’re really assessing is resilience, communication, and how you approach problems.🤝 Mentorship isn’t about being told what to doThe most valuable mentors help you think differently, not just give answers. They create space for you to take risks while knowing support is there if needed.📣 Self advocacy is a learned skill, not a personality traitSpeaking up doesn’t come naturally to everyone, but it can be developed through awareness, preparation, and understanding how people respond in professional environments.✅ Actionable Takeaways🎯 Define your direction earlyBe clear on what you want long term and communicate it. Even if it changes, having intent helps others support your progression.🔍 Prepare differently for interviewsDon’t focus only on technical answers. Think about how you demonstrate resilience, teamwork, and decision making under pressure.🌐 Build your network consistentlyStay connected with people over time. Opportunities often come through relationships, not just applications.Mentioned in this episode:Granola AIHead to go.granola.ai/michelle for a full one‑month trial of Granola.

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