The 25 Under 40 Energy Women Rising Stars celebrates the exceptional achievements of women who are driving growth and development across the African energy sector, such as Rita Bagaine Kagoro. As the Talent Acquisition Manager at SLB: Angola, Central and East Africa, Kagoro fuels strategic workforce planning.
Could you provide a brief overview of your journey in the energy industry that led to your current role? What are some key achievements or milestones that you are particularly proud of?
My journey started after I graduated from the Technology University of Delft with my master’s degree in petroleum engineering. I was hired into then-Schlumberger and was immediately sent to work as a measurements and logging while drilling engineer on a drill ship in the republic of Congo – offshore deep water in the Atlantic Ocean. This was my first experience in oil and gas. I did not know then how skewed the gender balance was in the industry until I stepped onto that ship. There were about 200 men and maybe 3-4 women at any one time. I had to field questions from my colleagues about why as a woman I was on a ship with 200 men, working the graveyard shift, day after day. I went on to work in the jungles of Gabon with a 120:1 male to female ratio on the drilling rigs and then later on moved to Norway where I worked on the offshore North Sea assets. There, I finally found more females in the field and saw the opportunities women had and were taking up in the country. This experience was an eye-opener for me.
One major milestone was becoming a manager/mentor to younger engineers reporting to me. Having been in their shoes, I found that sharing my experience with them helped them to navigate the challenges they were facing in their professional lives. Sharing with them how I overcame my own challenges was fulfilling to me as it encouraged them to stay the course and grow in their careers as well. I am therefore particularly proud of the hard work and effort that led me to where I am today, currently working as the Angola, Central and East Africa Talent Acquisition Manager. Tasked with executing our strategic workforce plan, advocating for gender diversity and promoting inclusivity.
The energy industry is known for its complexities. What were some significant challenges you faced along the way, and how did you navigate through them to achieve your goals?
Bias – the energy industry is rife with bias, both conscious and unconscious. Recognizing and combating this would encourage women to pursue careers in the industry. Training our workforce to improve on the way we work to remove these biases is very helpful and I have seen first-hand the effects of this training. As women it is important for us to build our resilience and surround ourselves with supportive networks in our professional lives.
What advice would you give to young women aspiring to excel in the energy sector? Are there any specific strategies or mindsets that helped you overcome obstacles and reach your current position?
Education is a good foundation. We need to reach out to young women at a much earlier time in their lives when they make consequential decisions about their careers. Highlighting the importance of STEM subjects for example to a teenager that wants to purse an engineering degree is vital. We need to take the outreach programs back to schools and share what skills are needed for specific careers. As the industry is continuously and rapidly evolving towards more sustainable technologies, it is important that we keep updating our knowledge and skills to remain relevant.
The importance of networks, mentorships and building professional relationships should be highlighted. This is a good source of valuable advice, insights, opportunities and support. It is important to be flexible and adaptable. It is important to be open to challenges and be fearless in taking on leadership roles. Challenges are opportunities for growth, and this is a stepping stone to leadership.
A career in energy can be demanding. Could you describe a typical day in your life?
As an engineer in oil and gas operations it is important to note that drilling rigs operate 24/7. In operations support, the day started with checking emails sent during the night, and then holding operations catch up meetings with the different drilling installations and internal shareholders. The rest of the day was spent planning for upcoming operations and performing job analyses. They are also spent solving client queries and troubleshooting where necessary. As a talent acquisition manager, my day begins with checking my emails and responding to requests regarding workforce planning and then looking at all the countries in the region and following up on their current and future personnel needs while ensuring our hiring practices are executed in line with our policies.
Looking ahead, what changes or advancements do you hope to see in the energy sector? How do you envision your role in shaping that future?
I am excited to see the energy sector become more sustainable. I am excited to see technological advancements that reduce carbon emissions while still providing affordable and reliable energy sources to the people. We are at the forefront of addressing climate change as the energy sector and I believe that empowering the future generations to keep this mindset will allow us to advance in the right direction.
I am also passionate about gender balance in my current role. I must do my part in ensuring our hiring practices are balanced, inclusive and that talent is allowed to grow through empowerment, mentorship and others to develop the correct sustainable solutions we need for a better energy future.
