I completed 2 internships at ETC (geosciences) and should be graduating in the spring. Expecting a letter in the next few days informing me of the hiring decision. If an offer is extended, would you even take it? With the announcement of 6000 more layoffs, would it be wise to move the family to Houston, only to be on the chopping block 3 months after starting?
44 replies (most recent on top)
You won't get and offer . The intern that worked in my group was ranked 1 in everything he did and with two internships and was not hired .
I agree Chevron is not exactly a bad place to work. For all the 25-30+ years staff they will also be leaving with a generous pension that is a reward for their loyalty and hard work. However, for folks starting now the pension benefits will not be the same as they changed it around 2008- it is greatly reduced. So if you go onto a long career you won't retire with an equally generous sum. Additionally, R&D type assignments is not preferable at this time because if you are not part of an organization that is making money- you are expendable. Companies like Chevron can go to Stanford and hire a few from their graduating class at any time and they will be the most up-to-date with current technology.
I would not recommend anyone to take a job at Chevron. I was very excited to leave and glad I did. It was not the Company they try to represent it to be. Age discrimination and sexual harassment comments by CA based 26 and above Mangers and HR brushes it under the table. This is a company that turned into a cut throat organization.
This is not a place I would recommend to any new college hire for sure.
I think Chevron Leadership needs to be replaced as most do not have the training or Knowledge to be in 25 or above positions. Total lack of true Leadership training.
I challenge lower managers to write a strategy plan for 5+ years. 90% of managers at Chevron have no idea how to do it.
@ 189838, what are you even talking about?
You don't even know how to research the job market. Maybe you could get a job with the California state government.
Yes, if offered accept. In my 26th year, great company and good opportunities. The current down turn will pass as they always do. Ignore the negative comments, you will always come across those with some gripe to air.
You should be safe, but leave your ambition and notions of advancement at home.
You may be the steeple Chevron loves.
@872 Large layoffs have to be announced all at once, legally. If you tell employees first, some will leak to media, then there could be some insider trading prior to SEC official filings, then there will be lots of rumors going around and reporters snooping before all the information is released. It's safer to make one official press release to the media, to the investors/SEC, and to the employees all at once.
If your studies included a class in deductive reasoning I.e., logic, then you know the answer - look elsewhere. Also, Chevron employees found out in the news that 7000 more of their colleagues are to be terminated. Chevron lacked the moral fiber to inform their employees first! Keep looking, and not at Chevron.
Chevron is pruning back after years of ridiculous and irresponsible over staffing. I enjoyed a 35 year career with a mostly great company. You may too. My advice would be to stay as close to the wellhead as possible, max out your 401-k, and don't take anything for granted. With those precautions, taking a job with Chevron should be lucrative in the long run, and in the worst case you will pick up some tools for the next job.
Despite the layoffs, Chevron isn't going away, and despite what you may read here they won't eat your young. But don't take anything for granted, and be prepared to move on as soon as you quit learning or quit being challenged.
Good luck kid!
You won't even get an offer.
An intern took my team spot even though they were originally hired in another group... they also no longer have any experienced mentor to train them as I was training them in that role before...
Going through this current ROM, I have found myself an interview with PG&E. I'm a little on the fence on what I should do if I get an offer. Chevron is retaining me, but maybe now is a good time to get out. Not many employee leave Chevron on purpose for other companies. But it seems like it has come to that with their recent situations. The main concern is career development, and it seems that is rather limited in CVX at this time. PG&E is hiring left and right, a growing company. Plus they won't ship me off to Houston.
Chevron is not a place to sign on with right now. Like a previous poster said, go with an independent company now. They will start you off with more pay also. Once things turn around in 5 or more years, then perhaps would be a good company to come to for the superior benefits, like a pension (if that is still around). Good luck.
Look out side Chevron!
OP beware, CVX R&D, aka ETC, is in the process of being gutted. ETC may not exist in its present form 2-3 years from now. This is a terrible time to pursue R&D with a major. The last time we had a decade long downturn, all of the majors severely cut or completely eliminated R&D. We just cut 30% of ETC 2 weeks ago. Get a job in an asset dev BU with low per barrel prod cost. R&D is expendable overhead in a prolonged downturn like the one we are in now.
I tend to agree with the arrogant comment.
Short answer to the OP, no, do not accept any offer from Chevron. Go with an independent that actually can move things. When you look at the remaining landscape at Chevron, this is not a company you want to hitch your wagon to. The conventional wisdom is that a job with a major should be the goal, but we are seeing the rampant nepotism and corruption now exposed. Look out for number 1 and go for it.
188359 - Sorry, 6000-7000 Total. 1500 Already. 4500-5500 More.. Still not good.
You'll get an offer if you are a passive person. If you are outspoken and too analytical and ask too many questions, then you will not be offered a job. Chevron wants "Sheeple" it can manage. So, if you understand this and okay the part, then you may get a job with the company. Once you're in, don't make waves or else you will be put on the black list. That's my advise to you.
it's not 6000 more layoffs ya dingus. it's a total of 6000 layoffs since 2014.
arrogant? Because I find comments like "morons" and "you're f---ing stupid" to be useless? Sorry man, I'm the least arrogant person you could know. I'm just trying to make informed decisions and largely I've received thoughtful responses here. I think I performed well in my internships and reserve the right to be optimistic, even if "optimistic" is not the word of the day. IF I get an offer, I'll probably take it, because that is what I returned to school to do...transition to the O&G industry. I made large changes to my life to get to the point of having the CHANCE to even make this decision. That is not arrogance, that is persistence.
OP is arrogant. Take what you can get if you want o and g right now
188265 - Very constructive feedback. Thank you.
Morons
Good to know 188246. Thank you. What is the status of the Horizons program right now?
An offer would be worth considering, but be careful. ETC is currently laying off campus hires who have less than 10 months experience. The situation in those cases is that their specific job functions were eliminated. If you get an offer, ask your prospective team leader how serious the company is about sustaining your position. Do they have sufficient project work for you to do for all of 2016? If the answer is more like, "we haven't planned it out, but we like you so we'll find something for you by the time you get here," then be very cautious.
wow, with as toxic as this message board can be sometimes, I am surprised at all of the positive and helpful responses I have received. Thank you!
Take the job, you will have a great career with a great company. Nothing is 100% but I don't think they will offer positions to terminate in a few months. Plus, unless the whole oil industry truly craters (no one has invented solar plastic yet) you will be in a GREAT position WHEN this industry rebounds. I've been here for 36 years and have had a great career with a great company and it's been mutually beneficial. Come to work, do your job, seek out opportunities to make Chevron and your team stronger and stronger, have a low tolerance for waste (in all forms), DO NOT get too cozy with Business Partners while at the same time nurturing a professional and respectful relationship with them and you will reap amazing rewards with Chevron. I'll be gone soon in a win win but as companies go, this one is hard to beat.
..........laid off. Type - o.
You really have to weigh your options. Some posts make some great points but ultimately the question you need to answer is "do you want a career or a job?" Chevron, in my experience has been very good to me and my family. Let's remember one thing, Chevron is not in business to lose money and neither are stakeholders. So in rough times decisions are made that may not be popular and feelings may get hurt but that is life. Chevron is not the only company that has cut expenses and employees. And one last thing before I go, there are a lot of people who get laid and swear up and down how bad Chevron was to them. Well you know what, when times are good some of those same people are back working for Chevron.
thank you 188194. I really do believe the US oil companies will be stronger than ever when we get out of this rut. 140 dollar oil really caused some bloat.
35 years with the company and they've always tried to do the right thing. You will be fine and have many opportunities over the long run.
Lower oil prices requires them to be even more creative in finding economical ways to extract oil.
Go for it,
thank you 188183. I do like Houston, having spent 6 months there. First, I need to get the letter. Then take it from there. Experience in the oil industry is very valuable everywhere else.
My opinion is similar to the positive ones. Being new, you're probably safer than most older ones.
Could you possibly delay the family move until more certain times?
Even if you got laid if later in 2016 (which, in my opinion, would mean their situation is worse than we thought), at least take advantage of learning about CVX, network, etc. in the future, you can leverage that for other jobs or coming back to CVX.
BTW, I'm a recent casualty of their layoff bout. Two weeks off so far.
Still, I harbor no ill feelings because I know the situation is quite dire. I'm a 20 year CVX veteran, but have more good things to say than bad. Truth is, no job is perfect.
Good luck to you. If you choose the job, consider renting a small apartment and not love the fam just yet..... Although Houston is awesome!!!!
because the oil industry is where I want to be. I like the research and technology development side of things. My timing is just unfortunate. It's always good to have multiple options.
If you have other options in another industry, why would you even think about going through the uncertainties through this downturn? Trust me, it is not a good feeling to come to job every day and constantly thinking about what will happen in 6 months, 1-year, 2-years ....? If you have a plan, sure you can survive,
Hey 188131, actually, I could land a dozen other jobs, just not in the oil industry. I have years of experience outside of school to fall back on. Engineering, consulting is still hiring and relatively stable. So no, I am not f---ing stupid. Just looking for opinions. Yours has been noted. And thrown in the trash.
Yeah decline the offer!!! The market is so great you could probably land a dozen other jobs. God you're f***ing stupid.