Andrew Little, Senior Sales Manager – Canada/Alaska, Rocky Mountains and Texas at National Oilwell Varco
What influenced your decision to enter the oil and gas industry?
Multiple generations on both sides of my family have been involved in the oil and gas industry, so it was eventually going to happen. Upon graduating from college, the shale revolution was just taking off. Not long before that, there were rumors of “peak oil” and that oil and gas in the U.S. was a dying industry. It was an exciting time to be entering the workforce, and I did not want to miss out being a part of that boom.
What was your impression of the industry beforehand and how has it evolved?
Though I am fairly new to this industry (10 years this past May) I’ve been amazed at how quickly our customers are willing to adopt new technologies. This industry has been stereotyped as one that is stuck in its old ways but that could not be further from the truth. Every time I meet with a customer, they always ask about new technology developments.
What have you found to be the most surprising about the industry?
I have been most surprised by our industry’s continued efforts in improving the safety of its workers. Even in downturns such as this one, the oil and gas industry is still 100% committed to doing everything possible to protect the lives of everyone in this business.
What do you find most challenging and most rewarding about the industry or your work?
Focusing particularly on the land side, I would say dealing with aggressive timelines that coincide with small project budgets. Now more than ever, our customers are paying close attention to their bottom line, so we must really come together and be creative in providing solutions to our customers. When these successes occur, our customers are very quick to express their appreciation.
Where do you hope to see the industry develop over the next five years?
I would love to see a continued focus on bringing more women into the oil and gas industry. The number of women in this business from when I’ve started until now has grown significantly and the industry is a much better place because of it.
How has your involvement in PESA supported your career goals?
PESA has been a great experience for me particularly because of the network that it provides. Additionally, participating on the Emerging Leaders Committee has helped me develop a passion for assisting and educating the less tenured and experienced people in our industry. When I first entered the industry, there was a big age gap in its workforce, with much of the experienced employees close to retirement. I made an effort early in my career to learn as much as I could from them before they retired. This continues today, and I have made it a career goal to teach as much as I can to those that have less industry tenure and experience than I do.
What are you most excited about for your career, your company and your industry?
Technology in our industry has grown rapidly in just a few short years, and I believe we will continue to produce breakthrough advancements that will greatly improve how we operate both from a safety perspective as well as a continued focus on efficiency. Our customers rely on us to innovate, and at NOV we are committed to providing the best solutions to our customers’ needs.
What would you tell someone who is thinking about entering the oil and gas industry?
This industry is an adventure, one that will take you through the highs and lows of life, but you have to be willing to work hard and start at the bottom. Always say yes when your company asks you to take on a new task. The person that says no never lasts very long. Also, never assume you are the smartest person in the room. This industry thrives on collaboration so you need to be willing to work with others to accomplish common goals.
What do you wish other people knew about oil and gas?
The oil and gas industry is massive! I love working with our international teams on projects all over the world — it’s an amazing experience to meet people from so many different cultures and backgrounds. This truly is a global industry with a common goal of safely bringing affordable energy to the consumer.
