Telling the story of the energy services sector and delivering workforce insights to our member companies are central to EWTC’s work. Through an ongoing series of conversations with students, interns and early-career professionals, we are gaining an understanding of how the next generation sees our industry, what draws them to energy careers and what they discover once they get inside the business.
Energy Workforce & Technology Council | Government Relations Intern
McGill University | Recent Graduate (2026), Economics & Political Science
Hometown: Cambridge, England
Family Connection to Energy: Yes, extended family
What has surprised you most about working in the energy industry?
What assumptions did you have before your internship? What have you learned so far? What would your friends, classmates, or family members be surprised to know about the industry?
Before entering the industry, I was under the impression that oil and gas – and the wider energy sector – was a dog-eat-dog environment where companies would battle solely to win the greatest market share, achieve the highest margins, and outperform competitors. My time at EWTC has shown me that while productivity and profits are of course motivators, companies in fact interact with each other at many levels and on multiple issues. The goal is not only developing themselves but developing the industry as a whole.
A prime demonstration of this for me was at EWTC’s 2026 Supply Chain Conference, where senior leaders and technical experts from across the sector came together to discuss the joint challenges facing the energy supply chain, as well as solutions and strategies firms can adopt to face them. From navigating changing tariffs and geopolitical developments through diversification, to incorporating AI software systems to improve operational efficiency, it was brilliant to witness such enthusiasm and engagement from all participants. Events like this have demonstrated to me that companies feel they have a better chance of pushing through headwinds when they come together to share knowledge and ideas, rather than doing so in isolation – something I did not expect before this internship.
Additionally, working on EWTC’s Government Relations team has placed me close to the day-to-day realities of the industry, from tracking how Texas’ state legislation affects local operations, to quantifying the economic and operational impacts of federal policy changes, such as the midterm elections and tariffs, on our member companies. This work has shown me not only how receptive the energy sector is to policy developments, but also the importance of the industry in the wider economy through supporting jobs, supply chains, and essential functions. I entered this internship expecting a purely competitive industry, but have come to learn that it is much more collaborative and consequential than you might assume.
What attracted you to this internship opportunity?
EWTC’s position as a voice for the OFS sector in government decision-making, as well as a hub for leaders from across the energy sector, makes it an ideal environment for me to explore my interest in energy policy, economics, and innovation.
What’s one thing you wish more people understood about the energy industry?
Rather than being just a story of commodity and profit, the industry is made up of an incredibly diverse workforce and employs many people, from field technicians and engineers to policy staff and accountants. Ordinary households rely on the health of the industry and not just the execs.
If you could ask an industry leader one question, what would it be?
How should the industry work with, rather than against, renewables, utilities, and new technologies in the energy transition?
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Working at the intersection of energy, policy, and business, in a role like BD, asset management, or policy analysis. My core focus is on how best to turn policy and market analysis into practical decisions.
Complete the Sentence-
Before this internship, I thought the energy industry was… a purely competitive, margin-driven environment.
My friends would be shocked to learn… the energy industry is a great place to work if you like doing business on the golf course!
If I were CEO of an energy company for a day…. spend the day with front-line employees and ask them what slows them down the most, then try to fix one of those issues by the end of the day. I would also try my hand at roughnecking!
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