Moving on…

I’ve spent the last 3 weeks living in hotel rooms across Texas. I’m transitioning from one role as a geophysicist working on a seismic acquisition vessel to an operations role for land-related oil services. This lifestyle transition has been difficult, but ongoing.

I’m far from the only person affected by the global shifts of industry completely outside of my control. However, I have made the decision to move on from the work role I had in a struggling industry to another role in an industry that is growing. It required a jump into the unknown, an abandonment of my home town for an unknown location for 3 months before settling into Houston, TX.

It would have been simple to turn down the career change and hope for the best, preparing to put down roots in my hometown. If I had chosen that path, I would have needed to a career change anyways, given the struggles of the seismic industry. Perhaps I would have been offered another position in a different division of the company? Speculation can be entertaining, but ultimately a futile effort.

My current goals for this new role is developing a diverse skill set that would be necessary for any industry. I see myself moving out of the oil services industry within the next 10 years, as no boom occurs without a bust. Those who believe that exponential growth is sustainable are fools at best.

The best we can do to ensure our job security is developing a skill set applicable in all industries, and we can focus on developing a reputation as a strong worker with a good work ethic. Industries grow and die, and we must find ways to stay relevant rather than risk dying with the industry we’ve tied our future. This will require stepping outside of our comfort zone, but that’s necessary for life.