Recap: Your Future Energy Career Panel & Speed Mentoring Event

On February 12, 2025, 100+ young professionals from industry, new grads and students gathered for an engaging discussion on Your Future Energy Career at The Ampersand Conference Centre in Calgary. Hosted by YP Link, a collaborative effort between Young Professionals in Energy (YPE), Young Women in Energy (YWE), WPC Energy Canada Future Leaders, Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Young Professionals & Young Energy Infrastructure Professionals (YEIP), the event provided invaluable insights on navigating the transition from university to career, making meaningful professional connections, and finding early success in the energy sector. Through a panel of young professionals sharing early career advice and three (3) rounds of speed mentoring, attendees walked away with more than just LinkedIn contacts, but ideas on how to improve their job search or find satisfaction in a long career in the energy sector.

Panel Key Takeaways

1. Transitioning from University to Industry

One of the biggest challenges for early-career professionals is adjusting to the workplace environment. Panelists emphasized that workplace learning is continuous and cumulative, unlike university, where knowledge is built in distinct segments.

Key advice included:

• Adopt a learning mindset: Success in the workplace isn’t about acing a final exam; it’s about consistently building and applying knowledge.

• Embrace all aspects of work: Even routine or “boring” tasks contribute to growth and should be approached with a positive attitude.

• Shift your perspective: A strong work ethic and curiosity can lead to unexpected career opportunities.

“A senior leader once shared a helpful mental model using two triangles. The first, pointing up, represents the breadth of knowledge you gain early in your career. The second, pointing down, reflects the depth you develop over time in specific areas. You start with wide exposure but little depth, gradually focusing and deepening expertise as your career progresses” - Brendan Mah

2. The Power of Networking

“Your network is your net worth” was a recurring theme throughout the discussion. Panelists highlighted that genuine relationships matter more than the number of connections you collect.

Insights on effective networking included:

• Be persistent: A VP not responding to your email doesn’t mean they dislike you—it often means they’re busy. Following up respectfully can make all the difference.

• Seek mentorship strategically: Instead of a cold request for a job referral, show genuine interest in the person’s career journey.

• Leverage young professional organizations: Groups like [YWE, SPE, YPE, or other relevant organizations mentioned] offer structured ways to meet industry leaders.

• Track your network: Some speakers shared that they keep a “creepy spreadsheet” with details about their professional connections, which helps them remember key details for follow-ups.

“Your network is your net worth. Your net worth is your network." - Josh Agarwal

3. Finding Career Opportunities in Energy

The panelists were optimistic about the growing demand for energy professionals—whether in oil and gas, renewables, or emerging technologies. They shared their reasons for choosing the industry, including:

• Competitive compensation: While the energy sector can be cyclical, it offers strong financial incentives and opportunities for growth.

• Challenging and impactful work: Energy professionals solve some of the world’s most complex problems, from decarbonization to infrastructure modernization.

• Broad career pathways: Whether in engineering, business, or sustainability, skills developed in energy are highly transferable.

“The three P’s: good pay, good people and good problems. You’re compensated well, although it comes with some risk being a volatile and cyclical industry; the industry attracts smart, ambitious people you get to work with; and the problems facing the industry are challenging where you’ll build skills applicable to all industries” – Brendan Mah

4. How to Stand Out in a Competitive Job Market

With hundreds of applicants for every job posting, panelists advised attendees to go beyond online applications by:

• Building relationships before job openings arise

• Highlighting continuous learning—taking online courses, leading projects, or developing new skills

• Being proactive—joining networking events, seeking informational interviews, and keeping an open mind about career possibilities

"I did personal projects, like building an engineering website, to demonstrate initiative and continuous learning. I also joined professional networks and did 3-4 informational coffee chats per week to surround myself with people in the industry and build genuine connections." - Josh Agarwal

5. Advice for Introverts

For those who find networking events overwhelming, panelists recommended:

• Start small: Instead of working a crowded room, focus on one-on-one coffee chats.

• Prepare in advance: Research attendees and identify common interests.

• Give yourself time: Building connections is a long-term effort, not a one-time task.

“Networking and connecting with people doesn't have to look the same for everybody. You don't have to feel discouraged because you can't work the room the same way the other person does. I personally prefer one to one coffees over, like, working the room at a networking event. So what I try to do is I try to make some, like, small connection at a networking event like this, or like a panel event like this, and I reach out to them separately. But it is an extra step, but it is definitely doable." - Rayleigh Lee

6. Energy is for Young People

The panelists discussed the many benefits for young people entering the Energy industry, including:

• Opportunity to tackle complex, global challenges

• Potential to make a significant impact on climate change and global development

• Rapidly evolving sector with room for innovation and leadership

• Continuous learning environment due to industry's constant evolution

• Chance to work on cutting-edge technologies and projects

“Working in the energy sector from an environmental perspective allows you to create solutions that drive real impact. If you're passionate about something, there's often a way to make a bigger difference by working within the system that shapes how the world operates. Trust your gut—if the energy sector excites you, it can be a fulfilling career with immense opportunities to create change. And a special plug for young professionals: this industry needs your ideas and passion” - Dani Hansen

Speed Mentoring

The Speed Mentoring portion of the event was a highlight for many attendees. With over 20 mentors from various companies across the energy sector, participants had the unique opportunity to engage in focused, one-on-one conversations. Each round lasted 10-15 minutes, allowing mentees to ask burning questions, seek career advice, and gain diverse perspectives on navigating the energy industry.

The rotations ensured that attendees could connect with multiple mentors throughout the session. This dynamic format not only facilitated meaningful connections but also exposed participants to a wide range of insights—from transitioning into the industry to strategies for long-term career growth.

The energy in the room was palpable, as conversations flowed and networks expanded. Many mentees left the session with actionable advice, new professional contacts, and a deeper understanding of the varied career paths available within the energy sector.

Final Thoughts

The discussion provided practical, real-world strategies for building a successful career in energy. As the industry continues to evolve, curiosity, persistence, and genuine relationships will be key to unlocking opportunities.

Whether you’re a recent graduate or a professional in transition, your enthusiasm for the energy industry will keep it going for many years to come.

Stay Connected

To continue the conversation and expand your network, consider joining CRIN, and the YP Link organizations:

• Young Professionals in Energy (YPE)
• Young Women in Energy (YWE)
• WPC Energy Canada Future Leaders
• Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Young Professionals
• Young Energy Infrastructure Professionals (YEIP)