The land may be dry and dusty, but it makes for a great career!

By Rebecca Bell

Midlanders have been known for saying that God felt such remorse for the dry, dusty landscape of West Texas that He decided to give it oil. The Permian Basin produces one-fifth of the nation's total petroleum and natural gas output, and Midland College (MC) remains steadfastly committed to providing programs dedicated to the needs of Midlanders and Midland's every-growing economy. That's why in 2009, at the request of various independent and major oil companies with offices in Midland, MC developed its energy technology program. The program prepares students for careers as technicians with energy companies in the West Texas region. The curriculum is designed to provide training in the electrical and mechanical aspects of the installation, operation and maintenance of systems used in petroleum exploration and production, as well as wind energy and other renewable alternative energy industries.

Chevron has been a partner with MC in the energy technology program from its inception. The company provides internships to MC students, and in May 2011, Chevron hired several students from MC's first energy technology graduating class as field specialist trainees. Timothy Acosta and Leonard Gonzales are two of these graduates who began their careers with Chevron on May 23. Both of these men had former careers—32-year-old Acosta served in the military and was stationed in Iraq for 12 months; 38-year-old Gonzales had been a prison guard for 15 years. Both men were ready to do something different and saw the career opportunity that the West Texas petroleum industry offered.

Acosta says, "It's a great career and I'm making a good salary. I have insurance paid vacation and a retirement plan." Gonzales explains that as a prison guard he was making $17/hour and was also having to pay for health insurance. Now bath men make over $40,000 annually as trainees. That figure will increase to almost $50,000 within a year.

As field specialists, Acosta and Gonzales take care of producing wells. They ensure that wells are running properly, record production numbers, keep tank batteries running and account for number of barrels produced per day. While both men have similar responsibilities, they work in different locations. Acosta works in the Mabee Field near Andrews, and Gonzales is working in the Vealmoor Field near Big Spring. Gonzales says, "Chevron provides us with a truck and a cell phone to use while we are in the field." Both men say that the courses in MC's energy technology program definitely helped prepare them for their new careers.

Acosta says, "MC's classes and instructors were great. The instructors really fostered a team approach to learning. As students, we would work on projects together. It is really a hands-on program, and the lead instructor, Tracy Gandy, encouraged us to figure stuff out for ourselves. Once we complete our assignments as trainees, we will be out in the field on our own and will have to troubleshoot problems on our own."

Gonzales explains that one of his favorite classes was programmable logic controllers with MC Dean of Business Studies Gavin Frantz. Gonzales states, "When I first entered MC's program, I didn't think there would be so much automation involved with energy technology. The wells that I'm working with have some of the newest technology available. I was able to get hands-on training at MC with this technology."

Acosta agrees. He says that all of Chevron's wells are on a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system. "Everything is automated, and computers generate all the production information," explains Acosta.

Both men say that they would advise young people who are interested in technology and automation to enroll in MC's energy technology classes. "Opportunities are definitely out there, and the pay is awesome!" sas Acosta. He also says that Chevron is known for managing their money well and doesn't have large decreases in workforce during times when oil prices are low. Acosta continues, "I'm working with guys who have been with Chevron for 30+ years, so I know it's a stable place to work. I love working in the oilfield. I'm a blue-collar kind of guy, and this is just right for me."