My key achievement isn't one thing in particular, but the general feedback I get from the clients is a massive boost."
Steven Ewing has taken an unusual route into work as a Planner in the oil and gas industry. With initial ambitions to work in architecture, Steven's career has moved through music, graphic design and beer manufacture. Now a Planner on one of Bilfinger's key contracts, his wide experience ensures he takes planning challenges in his stride.
What does your job involve?
Daily, it depends on what I have on whether I first visit the Bilfinger or client office. At the client office I'm usually chairing planning meetings, or attending platform planning meetings. Following meetings I'll update the Bilfinger plans based on what's been discussed. There are some weekly and monthly routines, but no day is the same.
What does your career path look like?
I initially wanted to get in to architecture as CAD was something I enjoyed at school. When I left school I’d applied for a designer job using CAD but they took a long time to get back to me with an offer, by which time I’d applied and been accepted to a music course at Aberdeen College.
After a few years mucking about with music and graphic design, I applied for a Modern Apprenticeship in Project Controls with an oil and gas engineering and consultancy business. After completing my apprenticeship, I moved to a role at an onshore gas terminal, working across various projects, before leaving oil and gas for beer.
I worked as a supply planner for a global beer company. The style of planning needed was very different to what I was used to in oil and gas. Using sales forecasts I determined the amount of beer that needed to be made, what packaging format to put the beer in to (i.e. bottle, can or keg) and then if it should be packed in boxes of 24, 12 or 4. It was very stressful, and although working in beer manufacture was initially appealing for obvious reasons, I was glad when an opportunity to move back into the oil and gas industry came up at Bilfinger.
What's your career highlight?
My key achievement isn't one thing in particular, but the general feedback I get from the clients is a massive boost.
- Some days it was a footballer, others it was Spiderman.
- I’m a planner by nature so I’m always looking for the next project whether that’s DIY around the house, holidays or my next big idea!
I want to build my own house and run a marathon, and I’m not sure which is more likely.
- I’m a videographer in my spare time. I’ve filmed for Aberdeen FC, weddings, a music video, barber shop promotions, action and interviews for the World Dodgeball Championships, as well as promo for the local team and a couple of videos for the BBC Social page.