There are many ways to learn, and one of the most dramatic approaches to situated, experiential learning is a field seminar or field trip. Welcome to an interview with Jason Terrell, Talent Attraction Manager, US University Relations, BP, who discusses BP's "Ultimate Field Trip Experience."
Q: What is the BP UFT competition?
The Ultimate Field Trip is a two-week global experience with BP. Through a problem-solving competition a winning team is selected from each participating country to engage in the global experience. Each participating university will host a campus competition. The winners will go on to represent their university at the national finals in Houston, Texas, and the US champions will win a place on to the Ultimate Field Trip. In 2015 the winning team will go on to explore our operations in Trinidad and Tobago alongside the winning teams from the UK, Angola and Canada.
Q: What are the goals of the competition?
BP developed the Ultimate Field Trip competition to attract and retain top talent, beginning in the early years of higher education. The energy sector needs to do more to engage with tomorrow’s generation of talent, and BP is tackling that challenge. The UFT offers BP the chance to engage and interact with students, allowing us to provide them with insight and experience of working on real life challenges within the energy sector. The competition is also an opportunity to highlight the critical roles of an energy company and the opportunities that the energy sector holds for a long term rewarding career.
Q: Can you give a few examples of other innovative learning programs that compliment the UFT?
BP’s innovative learning programs are designed to give high-potential students valuable insight into the energy industry and to help them cultivate critical career skills that go beyond the classroom. One of these programs is Discovery Days, which offer an opportunity for college students to visit the BP campuses, interact with professionals and learn about the business and industry from the inside. Each year BP hosts a number of distinct Discovery Days for students from select universities and conferences. The themes and activities may vary, but the goals are the same – expose students to the broad opportunities and diversity of ideas that make the energy industry such an exciting career choice.
Q: What are some of the key findings that may have an impact on the future?
The scenario of finding a solution that will reduce the amount of water utilized and/or find an effective use for water produced from operations is a real global challenge that experts around of the world are searching for a solution to today. One of the criteria for the projects is that they be plausible, implementable solutions that would work not just in theory, but in real life. We’re not only looking for a technical solution, it needs to be underpinned by sharp commercial thinking. If it’s not practical, it simply won’t wash.
