Author: Greg Gaspard
Brittney Buquet grew up in Houma watching her father work his entire career at the same company in the oilfield. With the same loyalty, support, and guidance he gave to his job, he guided his daughter through life and shared with her his vast knowledge of his profession. Learning about the oil industry, coupled with a desire to remain close to home, led Brittney to choose Fletcher Technical Community College after high school. Not only was Fletcher’s smaller tuition fee attractive, she could earn a degree in something she’d been around her whole life: Integrated Production Technology (IPT).
Fletcher’s IPT program provides students with the highly technical skills needed to efficiently and safely perform the duties of a production operator. Students in the IPT program acquire academic and technical skills in instrumentation, automation, computer, electrical, mechanical, safety, and process systems along with soft skills such as communication, critical thinking, and teamwork.
Brittney’s strong work ethic drove her to rise to the level of Shift Leader at Firehouse Subs while attending Fletcher. She received her Associates of Applied Science degree in Integrated Production Technology in 2017. Though the work is tough, work in the oilfield has its rewards, and Brittney knew she was up to the challenge. Unfortunately, it can also be tough to find a job, as the stability of the industry is based on so many factors. After feeling disappointed that she was unable to land a job in either the oilfield or production, she enrolled with Herzing University’s New Orleans campus to study Business Management.
The flexibility of Herzing’s online classes allowed Brittney to accept her current job as a Measurement Technician in late 2017. She was hired into Measurement Technologies Inc. (MTI) to work solely with the oil industry’s best-known company, Shell Pipeline.
“I chose to study Business Management because I enjoy working with people, being a leader, and showing others they can accomplish anything,” noted Buquet. “The opportunity to continue my education while working in the industry is one of the biggest blessings, and I could not be more thankful.”
She plans to participate in the Shell-sponsored career forum, Energize Your Destiny, next spring. The event is designed to educate, empower, and encourage women to explore and expand their knowledge about career and educational opportunities in the oil and gas production, petrochemical and refining industries.
“I was told since my first day at Fletcher that once you get your foot in the door, the rest is history. I have both feet firmly planted now, and I want to make an impact and inspire those who cannot visualize their future look ahead with the foundation they are building through their education.”
