Career Journey

Time at Shell: Nine years
Degree: European Business Studies
Location: Houston

     

“As a graduate, I wanted to join a global company and work in an international setting. At Shell, you can live globally and work locally, or live locally and work globally. We have experts in in every aspect of energy trading – specialists in particular fields and mangers with wider perspectives.

For me, the biggest challenge is harnessing creativity. For every barrel of oil there’s more than one customer. Should you sell that barrel now or delay? Create a blend? Look into shipping times? There’s a huge range of possibilities. Timings are key and so is finding out what your customers really need. Each deal is unique and the landscape changes daily - along with the possibilities. Crude oil is the one truly global commodity. I get a lot of satisfaction from finding a solution that other haven’t seen yet.

Trading is a job you can’t learn from a book, it’s on-the-job training that really matters. When I’m ready for a new role, I ask myself who can teach me the most.  The team environment is crucial and you learn continuously from the people around you. Being able to incorporate new thinking is essential.

I think a good trader needs to have a level of commercial aggression, the ability to make decisions and a talent for influencing as well as negotiating.  Adapting rapidly to new situations and circumstances is important too.  Shell Trading is an agile business, and if you have the right approach you can move forward quickly.”

Shell International Trading and Shipping Co.Ltd. is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.