Career Reboot: How to leverage oil and gas experience in a new direction | Anders Dræge's journey from oil and gas to insurance

Stories for the future

In this episode of 'Stories for the Future,' I reconnect with one of my very first podcast guests, Anders Dræge, an ex-petroleum geophysicist who shifted from a successful career in Norway's state-owned energy company, Equinor, to a new role in the insurance sector.

We discuss Anders' motivations for leaving the oil and gas industry due to environmental concerns, his transition and adaptation to a different field using skills from his previous career, and the current state and future of the energy industry. The episode highlights the importance of transferable skills and adaptability in career transitions, especially in the context of the global energy shift towards sustainability.

Takeaways:

• The guest, Anders, transitioned from a successful career in the oil and gas industry to a new role in insurance, using skills like machine learning to adapt to a different sector.
• Despite changes in the industry, Anders would still choose to leave the oil and gas sector today, highlighting ongoing concerns about environmental impact and the pace of transition to renewables.
• The podcast explores the need for better dialogue between those inside and outside the oil and gas industry, emphasizing the importance of understanding different perspectives and bridging knowledge gaps.
• Universities and educational institutions are suggested as ideal venues for fostering constructive debates and discussions on energy transition, engaging both students and industry professionals.
• The episode touches on the complexity of balancing energy needs with environmental impact, pointing out the nuanced debates about energy shortage versus climate change risks.
• Anders expresses concern about the slow pace of change towards renewable energy, despite technological advancements and increasing global energy consumption driven by new technologies like AI.