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The Pillars of an Award-Winning Program
Pioneer Natural Resources was selected as a 2023 Campus Forward Award Winner for their unwavering commitment to seeking out and hiring early career talent, their emphasis on diversity & inclusion, and investments in nurturing and retaining the next generation of talent. Please see below for the highlights of their approach to early career recruitment.
Demonstrated Investment in Early Career Hiring
Pioneer Natural Resources believes investing in early career talent is vital in shaping a diverse and innovative workforce. The early career program is paramount in creating a foundation for any organization's present and future talent success, as early career professionals enable the organization to stay relevant, remain future-focused, and achieve success despite inevitable changes in industry trends. Investing in early career professionals provides Pioneer Natural Resources with diverse insight and helps solve technical problems that arise with the future demands of energy transformation.
Innovative and Multi-Faceted Approach to University Recruitment
The Campus Programs team at Pioneer Natural Resources remains committed to leveraging previous success, industry trends, and student recommendations to ensure best practices in recruiting and retaining early career professionals. Pioneer believes in constant, transparent communication with students during the recruiting process, on campus, and during the co-op/summer intern program. Pioneer remains flexible in coordinating events necessary to stay inclusive and engaging, whether in hybrid interviews and information sessions or in-person resume reviews and diversity workshops. The strategy is committed to maintaining various avenues that allow for student success. As a result, Pioneer maintains an over 80% acceptance rate from previous interns as a returning intern or early career full-time role. With the support of senior management, Pioneer's Campus Programs team is committed to the overall success of all future professionals, whether their future is with Pioneer or elsewhere.
Overarching Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion
Pioneer Natural Resources strives to champion a Diversity and Inclusion mission statement that cultivates a culture of respect and community stewardship. By fostering a diverse, inclusive, and productive environment, the organization visibly supports and actively empowers all employees to thrive through education, recruitment, advocacy, wellness, development, mentorship, networking, and philanthropy. The Campus Programs team seeks to engage diverse student and professional organizations, including the National Society of Black Engineers and the Society of Women Engineers, providing student scholarships and support to various HBCUs and HSIs.This year, Pioneer incorporated a leader series to speak to the LGBTQ+ community on "Authenticity to the Workplace." A panel of senior leaders spoke candidly on personal and professional stories, navigating career expectations and success as members of underrepresented groups. Pioneer relies on early career leaders to further set the standard for a diverse and inclusive workforce in the energy industry.
Impactful Internship Program
Pioneer Natural Resources' goal is to offer an enjoyable, challenging, and rewarding work experience for all early career professionals. The Pioneer internship program aims to provide a mutually beneficial experience in which interns learn about their area of specialty in the oil and gas industry while contributing to the company in a meaningful way. Pioneer relishes the opportunity to welcome talented individuals into the unique company culture. Interns can have a tangible impact by working as members of multidisciplinary teams and as individual contributors. With a dedicated and diverse professional staff, innovative technical ideas are standard and welcomed. Pioneer interns experience real-world field operations by attending a weeklong field trip to the Permian Basin, the second-largest oil field in the world. This field trip allows students to engage with multidisciplinary peers from various colleges and universities through hands-on field observations and activities.
Growth and Development of the Next Generation of Talent
Pioneer Natural Resources' commitment to early career success begins with the mentorship program. The leadership team has redefined a method for cultivating mentorship by differentiating a focused approach in early career retention and development. The mentor program explores the implementation of assessments for top talent to help tailor development plans to each early career professional's individual needs based on talent profiles, skills, knowledge, and future professional interest. Early career professionals receive mentorship to establish superior strategic thinking, leadership characteristics, ability to manage change, commitment/drive/accountability, and critical thinking skills. Pioneer's investment in the mentor program provides a competitive edge to train and retain future leaders.