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."
Project Management, Engineering, Career Fair, Internships, Problem-solving
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
Video Highlights
1. Michael's career path demonstrates that diverse experiences, even seemingly unrelated ones like being an engineering tour guide, can contribute to career growth.
2. His experience at SoCalGas showcases the breadth of opportunities within the energy industry, beyond just the end-user experience.
3. His transition from associate engineer to project manager highlights the value of identifying and leveraging one's strengths (problem-solving, teamwork) to shape a fulfilling career path.
Transcript
Could you walk me through your career path, starting with your experiences in college and any internships or jobs you had before your current role?
Sure. Back in college, my undergraduate major was chemical engineering. Like most undergraduates back then, I went to a career fair as a junior or senior, looking for a summer internship.
I was working as an engineering tour guide but needed something more industry-specific. At the career fair, I connected with an HR representative for SoCalGas. I initially thought SoCalGas just heated showers and provided a flame for cooking.
But it's much more extensive. Most power plants in Southern California are natural gas. There's also significant industrial use for natural gas. After talking to the HR rep, I applied and interviewed for an internship, which I got.
Eventually, I was hired as an associate engineer. I moved up from there, doing pipeline design, supply and demand analysis, and later, compliance work. It was interesting to understand what drives the business in terms of operations and maintenance, which is largely based on compliance expectations.
These expectations are usually mandated by regulatory bodies at both the state and federal levels. I realized I enjoyed thinking outside the box, problem-solving, and working with others, rather than just sitting at a desk all day.
So, I decided to get involved with project management. Fortunately, this company has allowed me to move around a good amount. For the last six years, I've focused on project management, and for the last three years specifically, on complex facilities.
This includes new power plants and new compressor stations. I essentially help execute those projects for the company. You can view it as capital program, capital project management.
Advizer Personal Links
linkedin.com/in/michael-andrawis