A Comprehensive Look at Schlumberger's Corporate Culture and Career Developments

Schlumberger, one of the largest oilfield services companies in the world, boasts a unique corporate culture. This article delves into the key aspects of Schlumberger's culture, offers insights into the author's personal experience, and provides advice on navigating the company's diverse and dynamic environment.

Key Aspects of Schlumberger's Culture

Innovation and Technology Focus

At Schlumberger, innovation and technological advancement are at the core of its mission. The company encourages its employees to think creatively and contribute to developing new solutions in the oil and gas industry. This focus on innovation ensures that Schlumberger remains at the forefront of technological advancements, providing a competitive edge in the evolving industry landscape.

Diversity and Inclusion

The company promotes diversity in its workforce and values different perspectives. Schlumberger operates in many countries, and its culture reflects a blend of various nationalities and backgrounds. This diversity fosters a collaborative environment where employees bring unique insights and ideas to the table, enriching the overall organizational culture.

Safety and Responsibility

Safety is a core value at Schlumberger. The company prioritizes the well-being of its employees and the environment, fostering a culture of responsibility and accountability. This commitment to safety ensures that all employees can perform their duties with the utmost attention to their own and others' well-being, contributing to a safer and more efficient workplace.

Collaboration and Teamwork

With a global workforce, collaboration is essential at Schlumberger. Employees often work in teams that include members from different disciplines and regions, promoting a sense of unity and shared purpose. This collaborative approach ensures that different perspectives and expertise contribute to solving complex problems effectively and efficiently.

Continuous Learning and Development

Schlumberger invests in the professional development of its employees. There are numerous training programs and opportunities for career advancement, encouraging lifelong learning. This focus on continuous improvement helps employees stay current with industry trends and capabilities, enhancing their skills and expertise over time.

Performance-Driven Environment

The company has a performance-oriented culture where results are valued. Employees are expected to meet high standards and contribute to the company's success. This environment drives excellence and accountability, ensuring that the company maintains its leadership position in the industry.

Global Mobility

Many employees experience international assignments, which can enhance their career development and provide exposure to different cultures and working environments. This global mobility not only broadens employees' perspectives but also equips them with a range of skills and experiences that are highly valued in the industry.

The Author's Personal Experience

From the summer of 2010 to 2016, the author spent five years at Schlumberger and observed the multifaceted aspects of its corporate culture firsthand. Here are some of the key takeaways based on personal experience:

Support Roles: For employees in support functions, the experience holds a special place. These roles come with challenging yet rewarding tasks, decent working hours, and excellent pay. This segment of the workforce often enjoys a good quality of life and is valued by Schumberger for their contributions. The author encourages those in support roles to stay for a while as it offers stability.

Operations Roles: On the other hand, the author found the operations roles to be significantly more demanding. Working in a role that primarily serves operations, they pursued a challenging and draining path. The author worked in locations with harsh conditions, such as Saudi Arabia, where the working environment was extremely demanding. The author worked 100-hour weeks in 120-degree heat and 90% humidity, often for 72 consecutive hours. Nonetheless, the high remuneration in these roles was a significant motivating factor.

Reflections and Guidance

Despite the demanding nature of operations roles, they offer substantial financial rewards. For instance, at 23 years old, the author made $150,000 per year. Later, during a period of high profitability, the author's earnings were around $225,000 to $250,000 per year as a 27-year-old. This financial success has also proven beneficial in the author's entrepreneurial ventures.

The author emphasizes the importance of maintaining financial discipline, setting aside a significant portion of earnings, and planning for the future. The experience at Schlumberger has taught the author valuable lessons in resilience and confidence, skills that are invaluable in both personal and professional life. It is crucial to have a plan for post-field work to ensure a smooth transition and continued success.

For those considering a career at Schlumberger, the author offers the following advice:

Support Roles: If you have an opportunity for a support role, jump on it and stay for a while. This segment of the workforce enjoys a good quality of life and is highly valued. Operations Roles: If you have an opportunity for an operational role, proceed with caution. The demanding nature of the job can be physically and mentally exhausting, but it offers significant financial rewards. Make sure you have a plan for your future.

Overall, Schlumberger's culture is driven by a commitment to innovation, safety, and collaboration, underpinned by a diverse and inclusive workforce. The company's emphasis on professional development and performance ensures that its employees remain at the forefront of the industry.