https://www.texasmonthly.com/articles/so-you-want-to-be-chairman-of-exxon/
3 replies (most recent on top)
What an interesting article. Not sure why it is posted on the Chevron thread here. I walked into my first Exxon office June 1, 1978. Some of what is written is correct, some is plain wrong. Exxon was a fantastic fit for me, but its not for everyone. I did find during my career that you can ask why, and get clarity. However, there is such a thing as a stupid question. And yes, you don't ask them. You ask smart questions. I met some great people there, and had a lot of fun, and did travel the world which is possible in a number of companies.
Exxon is a very regimented company. It’s not for everyone. It’s the West Point of all the O&G companies. In the long article, it starts off with the story of a 23-year service employee, a geologist who lived the “Exxon Way”, for a lack of better term. He wrote a letter to a Senior VP asking for his help when he ran into deep trouble after applying for early retirement and Gad already received his gold watch and a fancy send-off restaurant dinner. Exxon had learned that he (Dinstel) was planning to take another job at higher pay with a smaller oil company, and called the whole thing off. They gave him two choices, “either stay on or quit with no early retirement benefits”, Exxon had told him. Morale to the story: Keep your future endeavors to yourself when planning to retire, especially if you are thinking of working for another company once you’re gone. The company always thinks of itself first and you last. And there may be a host of jealous or spiteful superiors that will do everything to throw a wrench into your works. Keep your affairs to yourself always.
This is a bang on article. It’s 40 years old and imo shows that the under pinnings of the undustry and the companies in it will never change. You better have Plan B ready when you’re deemed not worthy. This industry deserves to die off.