BP engineer scoops Rising Star award

Ross O’Brien was named 2018's Rising Star by the World Refining Association at the European Refining Technology Conference in Cannes

Ross O’Brien was named 2018's Rising Star by the World Refining Association at the European Refining Technology Conference in Cannes.

O’Brien, a mechanical engineer currently based at our refinery in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, took home the prize over four other finalists for his presentation on how to encourage the next generation to join the oil industry.

We spoke to Ross shortly after his award win to get the details:

What were the key points from your presentation?

I think the way to encourage more young people into STEM roles is to focus on 3Ps:

• Participate: Encourage role models including BP employees to participate in communities and volunteer in STEM-based programmes.
• Primary: Increase engineers’ engagement with primary schools to bring STEM to the fore from an early age. By showing children that engineers are real people with exciting careers, we can begin to plant the seeds.
• Purpose: We have the unique ability to supply products and energy around the world to lift populations from poverty, improve living standards and keep our world advancing. We need to highlight our careers have true meaning.
  

How has working at BP furthered your interest in STEM?

I joined because I wanted to make a positive impact in the world and develop myself into a leader to advance a low-carbon future. I can’t think of anywhere better than BP for doing that.