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Learning to Lead

Learning to Lead

Follow Cecilia's journey in the oil and gas industry

Amina Rivera
Amina Rivera September 13, 2022

Principal Technical Professional Cecilia Shafer works to learn something new about the Company, her role, and the energy industry as often as she can – then she encourages other women interested in a career in oil and gas to do the same. 

When Cecilia started with Halliburton in 2013, she was thrilled about her new position as a field service representative. She loved the dynamic work environment and opportunities to solve complex problems. “I personally believe starting in the field builds an important foundation for a career in the oil and gas industry,” Cecilia said. “I’m a life-long learner, so seeing our operations, tools, and equipment firsthand and then following a designated career path was a great way for me to learn and excel.”

Cecilia frequently asked for feedback and took advantage of all the development opportunities that came her way. She attributes these practices as critical to opening doors for her to become a leader. Now she leads a team of six, assists with university recruiting, and often speaks at conferences and employee events. She said, “I love talking to women who are interested in this industry. Too often, there’s a level of hesitation and a lot of questions about what it’s like being a woman in oil and gas. I share my fun experiences, talk about the places I visited, and tell them about the opportunities I had.”

In addition to her day-to-day responsibilities, Cecilia has regular check-ins with her manager to identify opportunities to enhance her skillset. “This type of engagement makes me feel valued and heard, like my company wants me to succeed,” she said. “There’s no better way to drive innovation than to diversify the ideas, perspectives, and experiences of the people on your teams and in your leadership.”

With approximately 45,000 employees representing 130 nationalities in over 70 countries, Halliburton offers women a variety of career opportunities. Cecilia said, "My advice to women in the industry is to just be yourself and bring your unique perspectives and experiences to the table. We don’t need to replicate what successful people do for advancement. It’s more important to be authentic."

To learn more about Cecilia’s journey at Halliburton, watch her interview.

Learning to Lead

Follow Cecilia's journey in the oil and gas industry

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Learning to Lead
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