{"id":2119,"date":"2015-10-26T01:28:29","date_gmt":"2015-10-26T09:28:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pre-production.taftcollege.edu\/tcwp\/cougaronline\/?p=2119"},"modified":"2019-03-25T22:11:19","modified_gmt":"2019-03-25T22:11:19","slug":"petroleum-and-education","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/archive.taftcollege.edu\/echo-online\/blog\/2015\/10\/26\/petroleum-and-education\/","title":{"rendered":"Petroleum and Education"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Kevin McCarthy<\/p><\/div>\n

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Alex Trebek<\/p><\/div>\n

By Alberto Muro<\/p>\n

United States\u00a0Representative Kevin McCarthy took to the stage at the West Kern Petroleum Summit and began by welcoming everyone in attendance and then\u00a0spoke about his duties in Washington D.C.\u00a0Students of Taft College and Taft Union High School were in attendance and McCarthy concluded his speech by mentioning, \u201cAmerica is a strong country when we work together\u201d and encouraged students to succeed.<\/p>\n

Ninety-one\u00a0separate companies were also seated in the room based on their sponsorship status. Chevron, WSPA, LINN Energy, and SoCalGas were one of many companies in attendance.Petroleum Summit appointed emcee and game show host Alex Trebek introduced Rob Duco, Christina Sistrunk, and Bob Barnes as speakers of the Innovation Powering California panel.Trebek then called on Kevin McCarthy \u00a0to be the moderator of the panel.<\/p>\n

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T. Boone Pickens receives key to the city from Taft Mayor Randy Miller and Taft Councilman Dave Noerr<\/p><\/div>\n

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Innovation Powering California panel<\/p><\/div>\n

Due to the severity of a recent storm, Public Affairs Manager of Southern California Gas Company Rob Duco filled in as a replacement for CEO Dennis Arriola.CEO and president of California Resources Corporation Todd Stevens also could not make an appearance and was replaced by executive vice president Bob Barnes.The three panelists answered questions regarding the history of their companies and the work ethics they expect from their employees. Most importantly, the panelists encouraged students showing an interest in the oil to further their education.Rob Duco highly recommended that students first get their high school diploma because it shows that the individual\u00a0has of dedication. A high school diploma also signifies that the potential employee will show a great work ethic as well. Duco also pointed out that every position in his company requires a high school diploma. \u201cOur entry level diggers and ditch makers need a high school diploma.”<\/p>\n

Next, Christina Sistum supports the idea that the employees at her company should pursue an education. Employees with an educational background are beneficial to Aera because it helps pick the right people for the job. Sistum said, \u201cContributing to education is what Aera encourages,\u201d so potential employees should not stress on making time for an education with her company.Executive Vice President of California Resources Corporation (CRC) Bob Barnes indicated that helping schools are in his best interest. Barnes fortifies the education system in California by \u201csponsoring schools around the county by accommodating on what they need.” Taft College also contributes to the growth of CRC by providing the workforce they need.<\/p>\n

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Oscar Serrato\/Jon Carrithers<\/p><\/div>\n

In attendance was Taft College student Oscar Serrato who was invited to the Petroleum Summit by his instructor Jon Carrithers.\u00a0 When asked about what drove his curiosity to \u00a0attend the summit he said, \u201cI was drawn to attend by the lineup of speakers which ranged from Congressman Kevin McCarthy to representatives of all the major oil and gas producing companies that surround Taft.<\/p>\n

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“The information provided by the key speakers further motivated Oscar to pursue his interest in petroleum. Oscar\u2019s previous experience in the oil industry allowed him to have faith in fossil fuels, and he took a strong stance by saying, “The key speakers only strengthened my stance on the oil industry. Besides being the safest industry I have ever worked in and the most environmentally stringent,\u00a0 I believe the major energy producing companies will only continue to evolve to better serve the community.”<\/p>\n