SPE eMentoring Stories

Jorge Luis Proaño Suárez, Petroleum Engineering Student, Mentee


Image of Jorge Luis Proaño Suárez I learned about the SPE eMentoring Program around the same time that I began volunteering for the student chapter of my university, the Universidad Central Del Ecuador. I have had two mentors and both have been amazing. I have always wanted to meet people from all over the world, so I thought this would be a good opportunity.

My main intention when I joined the program was to learn about procedures, operations, challenges, and work experience from my mentors. Now, my mentors have become my friends. They still give me advice and are sources that I can look to for information.

It is important that both mentee and mentor agree on the communication method and the frequency. In my case, I had Skype sessions once a month with one mentor, and emailed at least twice a month with the other.

Respect is the best way to establish a good relationship with a mentor. Every time I talk with my mentor, we always say or write something about principles and morals. These are things that are easy to lose nowadays, and even more so in a billionaire industry.

It is essential for mentees to look for a mentor in the discipline area you are interested. The oil industry has so many areas to work and learn, so always choose a mentor who works in the area you like most. Another consideration must be the language. If you do not feel confident speaking in another language, choose a mentor who speaks your native tongue.

Biography

Jorge Luis Proaño Suárez is a petroleum engineering student at the Universidad Central Del Ecuador where he is a member of the student chapter. His experience in the energy industry includes developing jobs in production engineering and gas hydrates research.

In production engineering, Suárez has worked in well production systems and surface facilities design. He also has experience in well testing, log interpretation, and reservoir waterflooding.

In gas hydrates research, he worked as an intern at the carbon and energy systems laboratory at the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology in Korea. Through this internship, he learned about CO2 capture and storage to mitigate environmental impact and produce methane from clathrates. Here, Suárez enhanced his knowledge and explored other work fields in the energy industry.