IADC CONNECTION • EDITORIAL
Next-gen engagement and
enthusiasm continue to flourish
FROM THE PRESIDENT
Attracting and retaining new talent for the
industry’s workforce is not a new topic, yet
it is a highly resonant one. That’s no sur-
prise – drilling contractors will continue
to drill for vital resources for the world to
use, and that is only possible because of
the people behind the operations .
The US Energy Information Admin-
istration is projecting that, while renew-
able energy may be the fastest-growing
source, petroleum and natural gas will
remain the most-consumed sources of
energy in the US through 2050. In order
to continue meeting the world’s rising
energy demands, we must ensure that our
workforce is plentiful and prepared.
The needs of the younger workforce
are shifting; it’s critical that we meet
them where they are and inform them
of the importance of what we do. In
the last issue of this magazine, Subodh
Saxena, Senior VP at Nabors Industries,
said it well: “The cultural change involves
understanding who today’s workers are
and recognizing that we have to trans-
form ourselves and move toward them.”
How do we do this? How do we under-
stand the professional expectations of
the up-and-coming workforce, and then
ensure that we’re living up to those
expectations? I think the best way is
to go directly to the source – to engage
with these young professionals as early
as possible in their careers with as much
earnestness and authenticity as possible.
I view this as a mutually beneficial
relationship. Drilling contractors and
established energy professionals have
knowledge, resources and ample oppor-
tunities to offer . Similarly, I believe the
younger workforce can provide innova-
tion, new perspectives and ingenuity .
IADC has been constructing a pathway
for interested young professionals , begin-
ning with our Student Chapter program .
It allows students to participate in the
industry and start building their profes-
sional networks before they even gradu-
ate from college.
42 The number of participating schools
has grown from four at the start of 2019 to
14 now , and we’re anticipating the addi-
tion of two to three new Student Chapters
over the next year, working toward the
ultimate goal of 20 participating schools.
Since the inception of the Student
Chapter program, IADC has sponsored
more than 900 students to attend our
international conferences. David “D.J.”
LaRosa, Chairman of the IADC Marietta
College Student Chapter, attended our
Annual General Meeting for the first time
in November. In a DrillBits article about
the event, D.J. stated, “We were able to
make connections with our parents’ gen-
erations and our own generation, which,
in my opinion, is a rare experience to
get in college. I wholeheartedly believe
that the conference benefitted my future
career. I have more business cards from
this conference than every other confer-
ence I have attended in college combined.
I feel like I made real connections with
people that could last a lifetime.”
Connections are a vital part of busi-
ness and a valuable component of the
Student Chapter program. In fact, many
of the connections and opportunities
provided to Student Chapters are only
possible because of IADC members. For
example, 14 students from Texas A&M,
the University of Texas at Austin, and
the University of Louisiana at Lafayette
were recently invited to participate in
an event hosted by Patterson-UTI. The
students had a phenomenal time touring
a rig and learning about different aspects
of rig life. During the event, Smith Mason
& Co, which is heavily involved in hosting
IADC-accredited training for UL-Lafayette
students, connected with students from
UT and discussed a similar partnership to
prepare them for entering the workforce .
The next step in the career pathway
includes encouraging recent graduates
and young professionals to join IADC
committees or to become involved in
other ways that speak to them.
Jason McFarland, IADC President
The IADC Young Professionals (YP)
Committee provides opportunities for
those new in their careers to engage with
the IADC community , and there are plans
to further increase the committee’s scope
this year. This is evidenced in part by
the recently added subcommittees and
expanded leadership positions within the
committee. They are planning to offer a
variety of occasions for networking and
an increased number of “Luncheon with
Leaders” events, along with a new series
of professional development webinars.
In the past year, we’ve witnessed the
formation of two new YP Subcommittees
under the branches of IADC Regional
Chapters in South Central Asia and
Australasia. These YP Subcommittees
have been offering occasions for net-
working and connecting YPs with estab-
lished industry experts in these regions.
All of this makes me believe that inter-
est and eagerness are both alive and well
within the younger workforce. I see spe-
cific examples of individuals stepping up
to volunteer their time, to pay it forward
with their efforts in areas they’re passion-
ate about. These individuals are represen-
tative of a broader workforce, one that is
plentiful and prepared for today’s energy
demands and those of the future.
Our role is to teach them about the
importance of what we do and why it’s
necessary, to inform them of the oppor-
tunities available, and to provide a clear
pathway for them in this industry. It’s our
job to show them who we are and how
much we care about the same things they
care about – working with purpose, seek-
ing solutions to complex issues, acting as
respectful stewards of the environment ,
and leaving the world a slightly better
and safer place than we found it. DC
M A R C H/A P R I L 2023 • D R I L L I N G C O N T R AC T O R
EDITORIAL • IADC CONNECTION
Evolution of IADC student chapters
2017 The fi rst IADC Student Chapters
established at Texas A&M
University, Missouri S&T and
University of Louisiana at
Lafayette 2018
2020 2019
2021 2022
Chapters established at
Bossier Parish Community
College, Lone Star College,
Pandit Deendayal Energy
University, and University
of North Dakota
Chapters established at Curtin
University (Perth) and University
of Texas – Austin
Chapters established
at Louisiana
State University,
Maharashtra Institute
of Technology and
University of Wyoming
Chapters established
at King Fahd
University for
Petroleum &
Minerals and
Marietta College
2023 D R I L L I N G C O N T R AC T O R • M A R C H/A P R I L 2023
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