What it does: Global group of petrochemical and energy businesses
Staff stats: 93,000 employees in 70 countries
The good bits: Great training and development, commitment to diversity and inclusion
The not so good bits: Bureaucracy
Hiring grads with degrees in: All Engineering, Science and Environment, Commercial
Royal Dutch Shell, known as Shell, is the result of one of the 20th century’s earliest and most significant mergers. In 1907, the Royal Dutch Petroleum Company joined forces with the ‘Shell’ Transport and Trading Company. Interesting fact: This was a British business that had pivoted from selling antiques to importing seashells.
During WWI, Royal Dutch Shell was the main supplier of fuel to the British armed forces. Following the war, it absorbed the Mexican Eagle Petroleum Company and launched Shell Chemicals. By the end of the 1920s, Royal Dutch Shell was the world’s leading oil company, a status it has enjoyed ever since, though it has diversified into producing other forms of energy.
In 2018, Shell had revenues of US$388.4 billion and assets worth US$399.2 billion.
Shell is enthusiastic about ensuring diversity in the ethnicity, nationality, and gender of its workforce and senior leaders. Shell conducts a formal, worldwide survey of staff to understand how our business is tracking from a staff engagement point of view and it is incredibly detailed. It also has a dedicated D&I [diversity and inclusion] consulting practice with focal points located in various Shell businesses and functions. The company puts on D&I workshops and lunch-and-learn sessions to raise awareness amongst staff.
Shell acknowledges that its activities have an environmental and social impact. It seeks to provide communities that have not previously had access to safe, reliable, and affordable energy, and to contribute to economic growth in the countries it operates in. It does this by offering direct employment and the opportunity for local suppliers to be included in supply chains.
Shell works across many regional areas of Australia, and we want to give back to the communities that host our business. There are a number of ways we do this: we create local jobs, we employ local apprentices and trainees, we buy from local businesses, we add to local infrastructure and we support local communities. We call this support ‘Social Investment’, and we do this because we know that what’s good for local communities is good for us too. Strong and diverse local economies benefit everyone. For Shell, they keep supply chains short and create a stronger labour market for local hires. For communities, they create jobs, keep rural towns vibrant and help attract new residents.
Shell is committed to sustainability. It has made huge investments in low-carbon energy solutions and advanced technologies, such as those that increase energy efficiency and reduce emissions.
This varies depending on what area of the business you’re in. Shell invests a lot in developing its employees. It gives them a lot of responsibility from early on and rewards them if they rise to the challenges set. You can expect to form fantastic friendships with your colleagues and spend plenty of time socialising with them out of office hours. The culture is friendly and respectful, and perks such as ‘flex days’ make up for those times when you need to put in long hours.
Shell recruits graduates from a wide range of disciplines. That noted, it has a greater need for those with degrees in Wells, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering: Electrical Engineering, Static Engineering, Process Engineering, Upstream Production Engineering, Offshore Engineering, Materials Engineering, Pipelines, Flow Assurance, Subsea, Utilities & Energy and Heat Transfer, and Health, Safety, Environment, and Security. Handily, you can go to the degree matcher page on the Shell website to find out what kind of career path is available given your qualifications.
Depending on what area of the business they aspire to be part of, grads take part in development programs that last from two to five years. Grads are divided into those joining the technical and those joining the commercial side of the business. Whichever side you opt for, you’ll take part in a comprehensive onboarding program that will expose you to all areas of the business. Graduate hires may go on rotations and combine on-the-job learning with formal training, which might even take you bi-coastal! You’ll have a direct supervisor who will provide supportive guidance, constructive feedback, and access to a mentorship program.
The process starts with a brief online application that can be expedited if connected to your LinkedIn profile. After, you will need to do an online timed cognitive test, online working style assessment, and an online short, self-recorded video interview that Shell calls the “On-Demand Video Interview”. If you make the cut, you’ll then be invited to take part in an online interview. This will include doing a presentation relating to a case study, with two Shell assessors.
Finally, you will be invited to a nearby Shell office to meet with staff at all levels and learn more about what a career at Shell involves. Should you wish to get an idea of whether you’d be happy at Shell prior to graduating, you can apply for one of Shell’s 12-week assessed internships.
Shell says it offers a competitive starting salary and other benefits. Most grads are delighted with what one described as “great bonuses on top of amazing pay”. You may have the opportunity to work on global projects.
The company has a fair and transparent promotion process. If you perform well and develop strong networks, you can look forward to going up the ranks. Shell values performance.