Jo's Story
Working in the fossil fuel industry
I joined the oil industry in 2004, after a couple of internships in the sector which showed me how directly applicable my Geology degree would be to oil exploration. At the time BP felt like a company that was progressive on climate and I hoped that I could sidestep into carbon capture or renewable technologies one day. Whilst I have no regrets about leaving an extractive job behind, I have to admit that I really enjoyed it for years. I was great at my job (analysing data and putting together Exploration strategies); sometimes I miss that feeling. I had wonderful colleagues, and we often went away on fabulous fieldtrips together. I felt I was in a community that appreciated me and I was building a successful future for myself.
When I realised it was time to leave
The feeling that I wasn’t in the right place started a couple of years before I eventually left. I realised that I was someone interested in addressing difficult environmental and cultural challenges rather than ignoring them, which was different to the cultural norm. This was highlighted to me when I struggled to manage a difficult boss and felt the organisation didn’t have my back in sorting it out. Some colleagues advised me to ignore problems I couldn’t fix.
I remember thinking that if we couldn’t address our team dynamics, then how were we ever going to rise to bigger challenges, like the climate crisis?! It was an experience that started to erode my loyalty to the company and doubt that we had the right mindset. After that realisation I became increasingly aware that my job conflicted with my values and growing concerns about the climate crisis.
My final decision was forced by the chance to take voluntary redundancy. I had to decide if this was really a career, I wanted to dedicate my life to. The obvious and unavoidable answer was that it wasn’t, and I needed to leave so I could figure out a better path for myself. The most difficult aspect of leaving was facing uncertainty about the future. The experience that helped me most was a career development programme called On Purpose.
I became part of a community that understood that a different kind of economy is possible, in search of work that had a positive impact. It’s been a wonderful exploration into a social enterprise, campaigning, research and personal development. The journey never stops being challenging and uncomfortable… but in a good way! Through all of this change, I am so grateful for my husband enormous support. We navigate life’s ups and downs together.
What are you doing today?
I now have a portfolio career, working as a freelance consultant focussed on sustainability research for NGOs. Now that I’ve lost faith in profit-driven business’ ability to shift the system they operate within, I want to focus my time and energy on truly purpose led organisations that are working to change our economic system to serve people and planet.
My most useful transferrable skill is how I think (!) and my enjoyment of learning. My scientific background means that I can be structured and focussed but I can also hold a lot of complexity and paradoxes. I’ve also discovered new strings to my bow. Because I love connecting with people through dialogue and deep listening, that has become a useful tool in grounded research and communicating through storytelling.
It’s scary to leave behind a career that you’ve worked hard to build. At the point of exit, you’re very aware of everything you’re losing but you haven’t yet discovered what you’re going to gain. I’m happy to say I have no regrets at all. I haven’t taken an easy path, but it’s fun and filled with wonderful new experiences and people I never would have met. I’m proud of myself for making hard choices… they are usually the right ones!
Parting reflections
I often fear that people will judge me for working in oil, but that hasn’t been the case. Once I tell people that I am a conscious quitter, people tend to be understanding and become interested in the stories I can tell. It’s so important to recognise how corporate culture has changed you, even when that’s difficult to confront and accept, and embark on the inner work needed to come back to your true nature.
It’s no wonder we become a bit unbalanced when we’ve existed in an environment that values financial gain over everything else, competition between individuals over altruism and development of technical skill over character. Personally,
I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s not OK to put personal success and excessive financial wealth ahead of the wellbeing of society and future generations. Instead, I want to make do with what I have and live a life I can be proud of.
You only get one life – live it well – be true to yourself – be brave – have fun.