Women Process Operators

Hey there, I'm 23 from Louisiana and looking to go to school for PTEC I just wanted to get advice from other women out there whose in this field. Can anyone tell me what did you make starting out, did you get a job right away, whats your pay currently, hows your work schedule, is there anyone whose working in louisiana? Thanks

I have worked in lake charles and beaumont.....for the last 6yrs...I started when i was 20. I felt that Citgo was better than exxonmobil....but hey ur always gonna be surrounded by men - and they are jus like women.

Hey Jo sorry I didn't get back with you sooner but I wanted to say thanks for replying cause I thought I would've had way more replies by now I guess not lol but your info helped me out. Hey do you have a email cause I would love to ask you some more questions about the career?

I have a degree in process technology and can not find a job...been looking for over a year, I am a 35 y/o women...every man in my graduating class has a job...just me and another women have not yet been able to find a job... this sucks!

tee in Prairieville, Louisiana said: I have a degree in process technology and can not find a job...been looking for over a year, I am a 35 y/o women...every man in my graduating class has a job...just me and another women have not yet been able to find a job... this sucks!

Hi, i'm 35 also an i was wondering have u found employment yet. PTEC was my second choice for a career now i'm have thoughts bout not goin for it. I think because of my age they may look for the younger woman coming out of school n that field to employe.Do u think it is wise for me to persue that career r go with some thing more for my age?

hi, im 21 n i just graduated w/ an associates degree in ptec. i recently did an internship with air products. unfortunately, there wasnt any permeant jobs available when my internship came to an end. my pay was 16.00/hr and they worked around my skewl schedule. its a good field to go for but it took me along time to get an internship now is taking me along time to find a permeant job. im thinking bout going back to skewl for something else tho. idk think imma stick with it for now n see if i get something if not ill prob go back to skewl :)

I guess this would be time it pays to be Canadian! I just started working for an Exxonmobil company (Imperial Oil Ltd). I am one of 3 women on my unit, and starting pay is 35$/hr. I'm 30 and just getting started. I don't know how it is down there, but here there is the older generation of men who maybe don't think women can do it, and as the boomer generation is retiring, the new generation of operators are emerging.
I hope you ladies can all find the careers you're looking for. Good luck to you all!

I was recently hired on at the Beaumont refinery. I tested in January of 2011, received an interview in October 11, and then received a call that I'd been hired in November 11. I won't start my position until April (2012). I have a BA in English and History and then I've earned half of my MEd in Educational Technology Leadership. I began seeking a career change 2 years ago after working in higher education for 6 years. I was already working in O&M in the plant for a contractor. I'm 36. I do think it helped that I knew people out at the plant and was able to drop names; otherwise I believe they would have rather had someone with a technical degree or at least a BS rather than a BA. From what I understand there are many "old school" operators retiring. My father was one of them. It's not what I went to college for, but it's great pay, benefits, and I know I'll have a great retirement. Shift work will be challenging, but I think I'll adjust.

RENMO1222 in Beaumont, Texas said: I was recently hired on at the Beaumont refinery. I tested in January of 2011, received an interview in October 11, and then received a call that I'd been hired in November 11. I won't start my position until April (2012). I have a BA in English and History and then I've earned half of my MEd in Educational Technology Leadership. I began seeking a career change 2 years ago after working in higher education for 6 years. I was already working in O&M in the plant for a contractor. I'm 36. I do think it helped that I knew people out at the plant and was able to drop names; otherwise I believe they would have rather had someone with a technical degree or at least a BS rather than a BA. From what I understand there are many "old school" operators retiring. My father was one of them. It's not what I went to college for, but it's great pay, benefits, and I know I'll have a great retirement. Shift work will be challenging, but I think I'll adjust.

I also work in Beaumont at the Lube Plant. I tested in July of 2009 & started in December of 2010. I also made a career change & I must say I LOVE shift work compared to the 8-5 Mon-Fri schedule. Due to the extensive training you won't work much overtime your first year. Working 14days a month is a plus because the 7 days off each month feels like a vacation. I personally prefer nights over days...I'm not a morning person. Lol

Jnicole29, that's good to hear about the overtime. I'm not sure I want to work much. The pay increase is such that I really don't financially need a ton of overtime and I'd like to NOT put myself in the situation that I've seen many get into, where they are depending on the overtime to pay bills. I understand mandatory overtime, but I'd much rather have my days off a month. I AM looking forward to having days off during the week to take kids to appointment, MY OWN appointments -- it will be nice!

I am not a woman but am an operator. However, both my wife and mother are operators. My wife has worked for ExxonMobil for 4 years and loves it. She started at about $24/hr and now makes $31/hr. If you have ANY 4 year degree, the PTEC degree is not necessary at most places. Neither my wife nor I have the PTEC degree and we didn't have any experiece when we started. She got the job with Exxon on her first try, we both tested but I didn't get an interview and she got the job. We both work 4 on 4 off.

I took the test yesterday in Beaumont. I was on the waitlist, but I got in. There were quite a few women there of all ages and races....I was pleasantly surprised. I am currently a teacher and Ihave met a few teachers who are working at Exxon and they love it. I pray I pass my test, so I can be another female on the grind!