Four Ponca City High School students recently participated in the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Oklahoma City Section’s Shadow an Engineer Day, an immersive learning experience designed for high school students interested in exploring careers in engineering within the oil and natural gas industry.
Senior John Paul Coleman and juniors Jose Herrera, Gerson Ancajma-Olaya, and Ethan Bright were selected to take part in the event. Students were paired with industry professionals to experience firsthand what engineers do in the workplace, followed by career exploration activities and networking opportunities.
Coleman and Herrera spent the day at Charter Oak Production Company, a smaller, family-operated oil and gas business. There, they observed multiple aspects of the production process, including land acquisition, surveying, purchasing, record keeping, and drilling operations. They also visited two active drill sites to see how geological and petroleum engineering concepts are applied in real-world exploration and extraction. Their experience showcased how different engineering specialties work together to support operations at a smaller-scale company with deep local roots.
Ancajma-Olaya and Bright were hosted by Mewbourne Oil Company, where they learned about the various branches of engineering that contribute to large-scale oil and natural gas production. Their experience included a professional Q&A panel, where engineers discussed career pathways, daily responsibilities, and key skills needed for success in the field.
All four students later attended a luncheon at the Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club, where they networked with university representatives and industry professionals. The event also featured a guest speaker who shared insights on scholarship opportunities and potential pathways for pursuing engineering degrees and careers.
Students returned from the experience with positive feedback, noting that the opportunity was both eye-opening and meaningful. They gained greater awareness of the range of careers available in the energy field, along with an understanding of how companies of different sizes approach exploration and production.