Students worry about lack of opportunities in the Permian Expo panelist says kids here are taught to leave the region

From left, Kathleen McNeil, Natalia Ponce, and Joseph Gabaldon speak about their generational perspectives during the PBOG Conference and Expo on Wednesday at Horseshoe Pavilion. From left, Kathleen McNeil, Natalia Ponce, and Joseph Gabaldon speak about their generational perspectives during the PBOG Conference and Expo on Wednesday at Horseshoe Pavilion. Photo: James Durbin/Midland Reporter-Telegram Photo: James Durbin/Midland Reporter-Telegram Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Students worry about lack of opportunities in the Permian 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Baby boomers are retiring at a fast clip, and that might have the once-dominant workforce a bit worried as they’re replaced by younger folks. There are certainly a lot of questions. Are they capable? Are they interested? Is the burst of technology once only thinkable in the world of Star Trek really beneficial? Are they even paying attention?

A panel discussion at the Permian Basin Oil & Gas Conference & Expo on Wednesday featured panelists who are all students at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin. They shared their expectations about work life, how they view the culture of employment in the Permian Basin and how they view other generations.

Kathleen McNeil is a 37-year-old in Generation X, defined at the panel as those born from 1965 to 1984. Natalia Ponce, 28, represents the Millennials, less commonly referred to as Generation Y, who were born between 1984 and 2000. Joseph Gabaldon, 22, is the on-the-cusp representative of Generation Z. Social scientists are still trying to figure out the date range for Gen Z, though it’s roughly the mid-1990s through the early 2000s.

The panelists had a lot in common, particularly about challenges in the work world here in the Permian. “Mostly everything here is oilfield-related,” Ponce said.

Added Gabaldon: “There’s no diversification.” That includes how interconnected employers are. Everyone knows everyone, and Gabaldon said that could hinder future work prospects if times at a job go awry. “If you’re working for an employer, that employer knows other employers, so you have a lower chance of getting employed.”

He likened the situation to a burn notice, a practice used by intelligence agencies to alert each other that certain assets or sources are unreliable. “It just burns your chances of getting a job. Whereas in bigger cities, I’ve seen it’s easier to get jobs because you have diversification.”

When times are good in the Permian, there’s a sense that everyone is hiring and employees can quit one day and work for someone else the next. Ponce challenged that idea.

“I think that’s more for the laborers. They have the option to switch from company to company,” she said. “For people who work in the office, it’s more difficult. Sometimes you have the older person that has an established job, more credibility and more work experience compared to a younger person who is trying to get their foot in the door. It’s a lot harder to try and get a good position.”

The three generations represented shared a lot in common about employment.

Social responsibility is important. Ponce said she wants to know her employer is working to help the community. Gabaldon agreed. “You can make money, but are you actually giving back the community? Are you practicing social responsibility … and demonstrating that to the community?”

They also want frequent evaluations. McNeil said she has experienced both yearly and monthly employee evaluations. “More frequent is more helpful,” she said, adding that it makes her feel more comfortable with her boss. Ponce and Gabaldon also said frequent evaluations help them grow in their positions. No one wanted to be stagnant.

Terrible management would lead them to quit their jobs. “It boils down to respect. … Am I working for someone I have respect for and they have respect for me?”

One challenge shared was retaining kids from Midland and Odessa. “A lot of kids younger than me, once they graduate, they don’t want to be here. They were taught get out of here,” he said. It comes back to limited opportunities. “The evolvement here is only oil and gas.”

Gen Xer McNeil is not concerned about the younger generations. “We’re different, but the nice part is we can work together. From what I’ve experienced in my life is we’re able to work together. Their strengths help teach me, and my strengths help teach them.”

For Millennial Ponce, she’s a bit concerned about behavior — and her own evolution. “Sometimes I feel they’re overconfident. … I want to give them advice. Sometimes they don’t listen. I guess I’m turning into my dad. Dang it.”

For Gen Zer Gabaldon, he tells kids coming up to think hard about the perils of student debt. “Look at all your options and look at the bigger picture instead of just thinking you need to get out of here.”

As for their perception of boomers, it’s nothing but respect. “They were hard workers. I enjoy their work ethic,” McNeil said.

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