A Pitt Engineer ’s Career Journey
John Karish September 2026
Introduction Pre-graduation
Overview
Early years Mid career Other considerations Q&A
Worked for three major oil & gas companies, one offshore drilling contractor Sohio/ Ensco Conoco ARCO BP plc
Introductio n Worked on six continents, lived in three UK, Africa, US
4 m miles AA; 2 m miles BA
How I chose Petroleum Engineering
Pregraduatio n
• Knew nothing about the oil industry (eastern PA native)
Summer employment • Critical!! • Yankee to S. Texas • Led me to drilling engineering/operations
Professional societies • Student chapter participation
Back to • Numerous in-house school – learn training courses first two the Conoco years way!
Early years
Chase your dream
• Wanted floating drilling in the UK with Conoco • Got Alaska with ARCO instead
Moved six times in the first 10 years of my career… (13 total)
• Consider family in career decisions
Importance of networking – critical! • Internal and external
Mid Career
Professional societies • Exposure in industry • Stay current with latest technology • Builds profile and stature – internal & external • Prepare and present manuscripts at national and international conferences • Missed opportunity – waited too late in my career (>20+ years) • For me - SPE & IADC
Be open to broadening your role
Mid Career
• First 20 years – drilling operations/engineering • Remainder of career • Internal audit – operational/technical integrity • L&OD • SDDN • HSE • Exposure to high profile consultants • Went to the “dark side” – drilling Take advantage of ALL financial contractor…
opportunities offered by employer
• Equity, profit sharing, 401(k), etc.
Questions, comments, clarifications…