THE University of Guyana recently hosted its Career Day and Job Fair at the University’s Turkeyen and Tain Campuses on March 7-8 and 12, respectively. This event provided current and prospective students with invaluable exposure to career and training opportunities within the oil-and-gas sector and beyond.

This year’s theme, ‘Explore. Connect. Evolve.’ brought together a diverse range of companies, offering students a holistic view of the professional landscape and equipping them with the knowledge and connections necessary to advance their careers.

A significant highlight of this year’s fair was the strong presence of several oil-and-gas companies, providing attendees with insights into this rapidly expanding industry that continues to drive Guyana’s economic growth. Company representatives engaged directly with students, sharing information on internships, job opportunities, training programmes, and career pathways. For many students, the Career and Job Fair was a crucial step in their career journey, offering firsthand interactions with industry professionals and potential employers.

ExxonMobil Guyana and several other oil-and-gas companies played a key role in supporting the fair, reaffirming their commitment to educational development in Guyana.
Beyond the career fair, ExxonMobil Guyana is also actively involved in mentoring students through the University’s Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Student Chapter, established in January 2024. This student-led organisation provides Petroleum Engineering students with critical networking opportunities, mentorship, and technical development.

One of the chapter’s most exciting initiatives is participating in the Regional PetroBowl competition. In this academic contest, university students across South America and the Caribbean compete in areas such as the history of the oil-and-gas industry, energy transitions, economic significance, the low-carbon development strategy and much more. This year, UG’s SPE team is preparing to compete in Brazil to showcase their knowledge and skills on an international stage. The team is currently being trained and mentored by ExxonMobil Guyana engineers, who provide expert guidance and technical coaching to help them excel in the competition.

While the energy sector was a focal point in the job fair, the event also featured booths from finance, government, manufacturing, telecommunications and service industries, broadening student opportunities. The presence of organisations such as SLB, Republic Bank, Banks DIH, El Dorado, the Guyana Defence Force, and the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security underscored the importance of a diversified workforce in Guyana. This multi-faceted approach ensured that students from all disciplines could obtain relevant and valuable career information.
Notably, some companies were accepting job applications on-site, giving attendees a direct opportunity to apply for positions. This aspect of the fair emphasised the event’s practical value, not only as an educational experience, but also as a steppingstone to real employment opportunities.

As Guyana’s oil-and-gas industry continues to expand, events like the Career Day and Job Fair help to bridge the gap between students and the workforce. By fostering meaningful connections and providing exposure to diverse career paths, these initiatives empower the next generation of professionals to seize opportunities and contribute to the nation’s development.

The resounding success of this year’s event sets a strong foundation for future editions, ensuring that students remain well-prepared to navigate the evolving job market.