Michael, Project Manager at SoCalGas: Advize Career Interview
A chemical engineering degree launched a SoCalGas career path marked by diverse experiences in pipeline design, supply chain analysis, compliance, and ultimately, six years of complex facilities project management.
The role demands managing cost, schedule, and quality, with safety paramount. A typical day involves extensive communication, stakeholder engagement, and task delegation to meet project milestones.
Success requires composure under pressure, strong communication, and a collaborative spirit, embracing diverse perspectives to achieve shared goals.
The most rewarding aspects include building sustainable, carbon-neutral systems and the collaborative problem-solving process.
The biggest challenge is the unpredictable nature of the work, requiring adaptability and a willingness to learn continuously.
The energy and utilities industry offers numerous entry-level opportunities beyond engineering, expanding with the growth of clean energy.
A key lesson learned is that collaboration leads to superior outcomes, and maintaining an open and positive attitude is crucial for career success.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Michael Andrawis
Project Manager
SoCalGas
University of California, Riverside 2012
University of California, Los Angeles - Anderson School of Management
Engineering - Chemical
Energy & Utilities
Operations and Project Management
Worked 20+ Hours in School
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Career Path Of A Project Manager At SoCalGas
Michael's career began with a chemical engineering degree and a summer internship at SoCalGas, a company whose breadth of operations—beyond "heat up the shower and provide a flame for breakfast"—surprised them. This internship led to an associate engineer role, with subsequent experience in pipeline design, supply and demand analysis, compliance, and ultimately, a six-year focus on complex facilities project management, including "new power plants and compressor stations."
Main Responsibilities of a Project Manager at SoCalGas
Michael, a Project Manager at SoCalGas, identifies three core pillars of project management: "manage your cost, manage your schedule, and manage quality," with safety as a fourth, often invisible, component. Currently focusing on detailed design engineering, Michael's responsibilities center on "hitting our milestones" and managing expectations between the client and contractor throughout the project's lifecycle.
A Day in the Life of a Project Manager at SoCalGas
A Project Manager's day at SoCalGas is heavily reliant on "communication and follow up," spending significant time in meetings with diverse stakeholders from "environmental to legal to engineering." Michael's success hinges on effective task delegation, accountability enforcement, and relationship building to ensure project milestones are met.
Most Important Skills for a Project Manager at SoCalGas
For a project manager at SoCalGas, maintaining "composure" under pressure, and prioritizing "respect, empathy, and communication" to build strong relationships with stakeholders are paramount. Thinking "outside the box" and maintaining a positive outlook are also key to success in this demanding role.
Favorite Parts Of Being A Project Manager At SoCalGas
Michael, a Project Manager at SoCalGas, most enjoys the collaborative aspects of the role, stating that "working with people...getting to a single solution to move forward" is something Michael truly enjoys. The process of diverse teams contributing "a wide range of ideas" to achieve a respected solution is a key source of professional satisfaction.
Biggest Challenges Faced By A Project Manager At SoCalGas
Michael's biggest challenge as a Project Manager at SoCalGas is the unpredictable nature of the role, requiring him to wear "so many hats," constantly learning new things and navigating unexpected tasks such as "figuring out what the IT expectations are for our contractor" or reviewing "regulatory papers from an air quality management district." This necessitates a continuous adaptation to evolving responsibilities and demands.
Favorite Parts Of Working In Energy And Utilities As A Project Manager
Michael, a capital project manager in the energy and utilities industry, finds the most rewarding aspect to be "building things from scratch," creating sustainable and carbon-neutral systems. This passion is evident in Michael's desire to one day point out projects they helped design and build to their family, highlighting the impact of their work on future generations.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Gas Industry, According To A Project Manager At SoCalGas
SoCalGas Project Manager Michael identifies passion and a proactive approach to growth as key traits for success in the industry, stating that those who "thrive are...always looking for the next opportunity to grow...finding an area that's really challenging." This pursuit of continuous learning and diverse experiences fosters well-rounded professionals capable of leadership.
What a Project Manager at SoCalGas Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Energy Industry
Michael, a Project Manager at SoCalGas, learned that successful project management often goes unnoticed, with the focus shifting to "unwanted attention" when issues arise; this unexpected aspect of the role, where "the whole world rains down on you," is something he wishes he'd known beforehand.
Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Project Managers At SoCalGas
Contrary to initial assumptions of solely engineering roles, the energy and utilities field offers diverse entry-level options, including legal, environmental teams, project advisement, and document control, as highlighted by SoCalGas Project Manager Michael. The growth of clean tech and clean energy in California further expands opportunities, providing "multiple Avenues" for undergraduate students to enter the industry.
Significant Career Lesson From a Project Manager at SoCalGas
Michael's most significant career lesson centers on the power of collaboration: "getting different perspectives on problems," and being open to diverse ideas leads to solutions "better suited for stakeholders, company, client, or contractor." This collaborative approach has been critical to Michael's success as a Project Manager.
College Experiences That Helped A Project Manager At SoCalGas Succeed
Michael, a Project Manager at SoCalGas, emphasizes the importance of maintaining "an open perspective and positive attitude" throughout undergraduate studies and beyond. This approach, Michael suggests, allowed for maximizing learning opportunities, even in less-than-ideal situations like attending classes or career fairs, ultimately contributing to career success by fostering valuable connections and industry insights.
Advizer Personal Links
linkedin.com/in/michael-andrawis