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By Christy Anyanwu
He is unassuming, straightforward and down to earth, but a cursory look at the personality of Allison Okolie shows that he is someone who goes the extra mile to always excel in all of his endeavours, especially in his professional calling. In this interview with Sunday Sun, he talked about his job, career path and the nitty-gritty of engineering.
How would you describe yourself?
My name is Allison Chinedu Okolie and, although I hail from Enugu State, I have spent a major part of my life in Rivers State, where I attended secondary school in Akpor Grammar School, Ozuoba. After completing my JAMB examinations, I enrolled at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in 2002, to pursue a degree in Electronics Engineering. I graduated in 2007 and immediately embarked on the compulsory National Youth Service Corps in Bauchi. In 2010, I joined Schlumberger Oilfield Services, now known as SLB, as a completion engineer. Over the years, I have steadily progressed through the ranks, starting as a field engineer trainee, then advancing to senior and general field engineer positions. Currently, I am the completion project manager for Nigeria and West Africa. Throughout my journey with the company, I have had the opportunity to work in various geographical locations and diverse environments. I can confidently say that it has been an immensely rewarding experience thus far. I am married to the love of my life, Chinenye, and we have been blessed with two wonderful and rambunctious boys.
Growing up, did you imagine you would become an engineer someday, especially in your field of specialty, and why did you go for electronics engineering?
For as long as I can remember, I have always wanted to be an engineer. I would say this is no coincidence as most of the people around me growing up were engineering students and eventually engineering professionals. There was also that Nigerian thing that, when you are good at mathematics in school, everyone says, yes, this one will be an engineer. The same for biology and medicine and so on. Now, other than liking maths and having people around me who were engineers, I had an inquisitive mind. I always wanted to know how things worked, what made things work. My parents told me my toys never lasted as a toddler as I would take them apart, and I guess it was a quest to learn how they functioned. There is an exceedingly popular engineering mathematics book written by K.A. Stroud. I remember the first time I ever laid eyes on it and how fascinated I was with the book. I must have been in primary three or so. I remember reading it, not understanding a lot of it, but thinking, someday, these are the kinds of books I want to read.
My choice of electronics engineering was influenced by mentorship. Most of the engineers I knew in my formative years were electrical/electronics engineers and, being around them, most of the journals I saw and the home projects were all electronics-related. It was only natural that I would follow the same path.
In the course of your different managerial positions in Schlumberger, which particular one was most tasking and why?
It was directly managing the field population. Managing young engineering professionals in an oil servicing company can present a unique set of challenges. In my experience, I will take them in subheadings. Limited industry experience: Young professionals have limited exposure to the complexities of the oil servicing industry. This can make it challenging for them to fully grasp the intricacies of the work and the specific demands of the field. Technical knowledge gaps: While young engineers may possess a strong theoretical foundation, they may lack practical experience and hands-on skills required for the job. Bridging this knowledge gap and providing them with the necessary training and mentorship is quite tasking. Safety concerns: The oil servicing industry often involves working in hazardous environments. Ensuring that young engineers are well-versed in safety protocols and practices is crucial to prevent accidents and maintain a safe working environment. Managing expectations: Young professionals may have grand expectations for rapid career progression and may be eager to take on more responsibility. Balancing their aspirations with realistic expectations and ensuring they are provided with appropriate growth opportunities can be a delicate task. Retention and development: Young engineers are often sought after by other companies, making retention a challenge. It is important to provide them with growth opportunities, challenging projects and a supportive work environment to foster their professional development and encourage them to stay with the company. Communication and collaboration: Effective communication and collaboration between young engineers and their more experienced colleagues can sometimes be a challenge. Bridging the generation gap and creating an environment that encourages open dialogue and knowledge sharing is essential. Addressing these challenges requires a proactive approach, including providing comprehensive training programmes, mentorship opportunities, clear career paths, and a supportive work culture. Investing in the development and growth of young engineering professionals is tasking and requires you to be switching on every single second of every single day.
What advice do you have for electronics engineering students who want to stand out in their field?
It is easier than ever getting to a much more global audience than it used to be. And resources are so much more available, but to really stand out, there are a few steps I believe will really help. Develop a strong foundation: Focus on building a solid understanding of the fundamental concepts and principles of electronics engineering. This will serve as a sturdy base for your future learning and problem-solving abilities. Pursue hands-on experience: Seek out opportunities to gain practical experience through internships, co-op programmes, or personal projects. Hands-on experience will not only enhance your technical skills but also demonstrate your ability to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world scenarios. Stay updated on industry trends: The field of electronic engineering is constantly evolving. Stay up to date with the latest advancements, emerging technologies and industry trends. This can be done through reading technical journals, attending conferences, joining professional organizations or participating in online forums. Build a strong network: Networking is crucial for career growth. Attend industry events, connect with professionals in the field, and join relevant professional organizations. Building a strong network can provide you with valuable insights, mentorship opportunities and potential job prospects. Showcase your projects and achievements: Create a portfolio that highlights your projects, achievements and any innovative work you have done. This can be in the form of a personal website, GitHub repository, or a detailed resume. Showcasing your work will help you stand out and demonstrate your capabilities to potential employers. Develop soft skills: In addition to technical skills, employers value soft skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving and leadership abilities. Focus on developing these skills through group projects, extracurricular activities or volunteering opportunities. Never stop learning: The field of electronics engineering is dynamic and constantly evolving. Embrace a lifelong learning mindset and continuously upgrade your skills and knowledge. This can be done through online courses, workshops, certifications, or pursuing higher education. Remember, standing out requires a combination of technical expertise, practical experience and personal qualities. By following these tips and consistently pushing yourself to grow, you can position yourself as a standout electronics engineering student.
Suppose there is re-incarnation, would you study engineering again, or would you switch to another field?
I fancy myself creative and I cannot imagine being anything other than an engineer. Engineering is an incredible avenue for imagination and an ideal domain for creatives and independent minds. Engineers have a vital role in pushing the limits of applied science, resolving technical challenges that facilitate advancements in construction, manufacturing, medicine and countless other fields.
There are no limits to what you can achieve and you are always thinking about what is next, how can what we already have been improved? What new things that do not exist yet can we do?
You have travelled far and wide in the course of your career; which country would you say you always looked forward to visiting again after you left and why?
That is easily the United States. There is such a rich diversity of culture that you can see a representation of yourself everywhere you go. As you would expect from a country that is a melting pot of nationalities, the people are friendly. You can find food similar to what you have at home. It was the first country I went to and did not immediately feel home sick.
How do you relax when you are not working?
I have a keen interest in a diverse range of leisure activities, including football, cinema, literature, and music. Playing football not only provides physical exercise but also fosters relationships. It is a good way to catch up with friends, colleagues and to meet new people. The banter associated with supporting a team and watching the different European leagues is, for me, a source of entertainment and good-natured fun. Movies are a great way to relax and wind down. And good movies can both educate and awaken consciousness and kill bias. Similarly, reading well-crafted novels provides a stimulating escape, allowing me to delve into rich narratives and explore complex themes. Overall, these hobbies offer both enjoyment and intellectual enrichment, contributing to a well-rounded lifestyle.
What are the most memorable moments of your career?
Thinking about it now, it is quite difficult to pinpoint a single memorable moment. The oil field is incredibly exciting and there are always things going on, deadlines with razor-thin margins, Steep KPOs and KPIs. And each win brings with it a certain level of fulfillment, exhilaration and memory. But it will have to be the successful deployment of a new and untested technology for a local independent company just getting into the game. With modern technology, you cannot be sure of what you will get, and you have nothing to reference, no experience from previous jobs or users, no field deployment “lessons learnt” to draw from. Just a belief in your technology centre and the reception quality assurance performed at your base before deploying tools to the field. For most new players in the oil industry, especially national independent companies, their first project can make or mar their existence. Unlike the multinational giants, they do not have deep pockets and failure can be fatal. With them it is even more important to get it right. We were not the cheapest service provider in the market, but they came to us due to our reputation for high quality performance. For me, personally, this was my first job in a new managerial role in charge of field operations. So, more than any other time, I had more at stake. It was my first job with management trust, and failure was not an option. Long story short, the project went better than we could have expected, and the client could not stop singing our praise. To say I walked on clouds for a few months would be accurate.
