Added: Over a year ago by ExxonMobil
The Head of ExxonMobil Fife’s Technical department has championed the energy leaders’ commitment to engaging with students, highlighting their efforts in helping to kickstart his career.
Connor Kane first encountered the global energy and chemicals organisation while studying Chemical Engineering at Edinburgh University, in which ExxonMobil had a close partnership with the Russell Group University.
Determined to raise his profile with ExxonMobil, Connor served as their Campus Representative, strengthening connections between students who may also be interested in a career pathway at the organisation’s Fife Ethylene Plant (FEP).
This role helped him to secure a six-month Industrial Placement Scheme (IPS) at FEP as an Applications Engineer. It was within this role that Connor began to form the theoretical and practical knowledge that would launch his career.
Following this, and as a new graduate, Connor proudly joined ExxonMobil full-time in 2015, taking on the role of Recovery and Contact Engineer.
Connor said: “With this role I took the responsibility for the back end of the plant that included the compression, separation and product export facilities. I was able to utilise my Chemical Engineering degree straight away across a vast array of different unit operations applying core fluid mechanics and thermodynamic principles to provide technical support to maintain safe, reliable and profitable operations.”
By September 2017, Connor was promoted to Quality Lead and Lab Supervisor at FEP, where he honed his skills in quality control and laboratory management.
He continued: “As I climbed the career ladder, my interests turned to the managerial side of operations, which led me to the role of Lead Business Analyst. A lot of this role involved strategic planning and cost analysis, which provided me with a deeper understanding of the business aspects of plant operations which I found fascinating.”
Following this, Connor progressed to Cost and Procurement Supervisor and later to his current position of Technical Group Head. In this role, he oversees a team of experienced professionals, including lab and technical teams, and focuses on continuous improvement and efficiency. Connor is also responsible for training new graduates, ensuring they receive the mentorship and support needed to excel in their roles.
“This position feels like a "full circle" moment, as I can now give back the support I once received,” said Connor. “ExxonMobil has been consistently supportive from the very start of my career, from being a student to going on placement, to joining the company full-time and giving me the support network and continuous learning opportunities I needed to achieve excellence.”
He added: “ExxonMobil offers numerous pathways for career development, and actively encourages employees to take advantage of the diverse range of roles available. The organisation is constantly adapting, creating innovative solutions that tackle current and future challenges."
“I urge any student thinking of joining the industry to make the most of the opportunities that are given to them. It’s a brilliant feeling seeing somebody climb through the ranks and grow in confidence. It’s incredibly motivating.”
