Rachael Campo – Engineering State of Mind

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Rachael Campo isn’t your typical twenty-something college student. She has a knack for solving problems, loves a good challenge and knows exactly what she wants for her future. Dreaming of a career in oil and natural gas since high school, she’s put in the kind of work at OU to impress a local independent producer – landing her a job after graduation.

“I will never be happy doing the same thing day in and day out without people around me. I thrive in fast-paced, challenging environments with people to bounce ideas off of,” said Campo.

“There is so much to be learned about geology, hydrocarbon reserves, production techniques, etc. This field will constantly give me the opportunity to test uncharted waters, and really contribute something.”

We asked her a few questions about her love of engineering, her dreams of being a manager and why she occasionally busts out a song or two for OU’s Sooner Scandals musical revue.

 


Q. How has the OERB Petro Scholar program helped you in your professional career? Tell us about your experience as an OERB Scholar recipient.

A. The program has been amazing. Not only have they provided me with financial support, but the opportunity to attend industry events. These events are incredible because they allow students the chance to speak with industry professionals and obtain valuable information in regards to emerging technology in the industry and advice when it comes to obtaining crucial internships. OERB has also given me the chance to reach out to students and inform them about the oil and gas industry at events such as OERB’s energy day.

 

Q. What made you choose a path in energy?

A. When I was in high school, I knew that I wanted to be an engineer. However, I had no idea what discipline I wanted to pursue. For an English assignment during my senior year of high school, we were asked to interview someone who worked in a career that we were interested in. I chose to interview a Schlumberger petroleum engineer. He described his job as being collaborative, dynamic, and challenging, and after speaking with him I knew petroleum engineering was what I wanted to do. I will never be happy doing the same thing day in and day out with no people around me. I thrive in fast-paced challenging environments with people to bounce ideas off of. There is so much to be learned about geology, hydrocarbon reserves, production techniques, etc. This field will constantly give me the opportunity to test uncharted waters, and really contribute something.

  

Q. What got you interested in oil and gas?

A. I am from Oklahoma, and as such the oil and natural gas industry is all around me. I watched the Devon Tower being built in downtown OKC, and I attended basketball games at the Chesapeake Energy arena. I wanted to have an impactful career. In my opinion, energizing Oklahoma or America is at the heart of every great innovation. Modern science and technology would not be possible without power.

 

Q. What is your dream job?

A. My dream job is to be a manager and mentor to a team of young engineers. I want to make an impact on emerging professionals because they are the ones that will continue to shape the future of the energy industry.

 

Q. What is your outlook on the future of energy?

A. The future of energy, especially oil and gas, is bright. Innovative minds have produced oil and gas in old places with new techniques targeting unconventional reservoirs, and widespread growth has occurred. The industry will always be cyclical, but it is still the industry that powers the world.

 

Q. What do you plan to do after college?

A. After graduation I will begin my career with Devon Energy, working as a Reservoir Engineer.

 

Q. What do you like to do for fun?

A. My favorite hobby is singing! The last two years I have been very involved with OU’s Campus Activities Council (CAC) Sooner Scandals musical revue. Sororities and fraternities pair up and write, direct, and choreograph a 12-minute Broadway-style show. I have been the lead for Theta’s show the last two years and this is my primary singing outlet!

EnergyHQ is powered by the Oklahoma Energy Resources Board – OERB – which is voluntarily funded by the state's oil and natural gas producers and royalty owners. The OERB provides free environmental restoration of abandoned well sites and works to educate the state's citizens about the oil and natural gas industry. For more on the OERB's mission and how it is funded, visit OERB.com.