Our Industry Person of the Week is Caroline Linder, a Pump Product Manager at Weir Oil and Gas.
Q: How did you get started working in your field?
Caroline: I graduated from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, TX with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.
I’ve been with Weir Oil & Gas since 2012. I started as a graduate engineer in the Fort Worth office then moved to Weir China Oil & Gas in Shanghai to build the country’s first Weir Oil & Gas service center in Chengdu. After the China project, I returned to the U.S. to work in service center operations, later joining the commercial team in a product manager role, which I currently hold.
Q: What do you love the most about your job? What are you most proud of?
Caroline: My current role focuses on product line strategy and success. I love the challenges this role provides. Anticipating and connecting future market needs to internal product road maps and five-year strategic plans allows me to leverage my creativity and engineering skills to solve complex problems the customers we serve face as the market evolves.
It’s very satisfying to see how my efforts impact our customers’ operations as well as Weir Oil & Gas’ success as a whole. Knowing I’m helping customers thrive in the dynamic oil and gas industry energizes me and fuels me to continue thinker bigger and deeper. Being part of an incredible team that values contributing to customers’ successes is powerful.
Q: What advice would you give to someone considering this line of work or new to the field?
Caroline: I encourage young women – or anyone, really – to pursue a career in engineering as it opens numerous career paths. The opportunities and avenues to success are unlimited.
The way I see it, there are three keys to thriving in an engineering role – (1) don’t be afraid to speak your mind; (2) asking for help is a sign of strength; and (3) don’t settle for the opportunities given to you – think outside the box to help create your own success.
Q: Can you talk about a project you recently worked on?
Caroline: We recently undertook a major new product launch, the SPM ® EdgeX™ Valve And Carbide Seat, which provides oil and gas operators a significant advantage in the field. It increases seat life an average of six times and doubles valve life compared to conventional valves and seats. Being part of setting a new standard in the industry that can have a profound positive impact on our customers is exceptionally rewarding! I love that I’m part of a team that thinks bigger, working to improve an entire system instead of a singular product. That kind of thinking leads to being able to spark a change that can transform conventional ways of doing things.
Q: Anything else you would like to add?
Caroline: Don’t limit yourself by eliminating opportunities or industries because you’re a woman. It’s important to step into fields that may be historically male-dominated to bring fresh thinking and to help create a path more women can follow. This creates the diversity that industries need to thrive. When you’re blazing new trails, surround yourself with colleagues that empower you to think bigger and get curious about how to solve some of the hardest challenges in your industry. This type of environment will challenge you to do your best work, and ultimately be the best version of yourself.
THANK YOU, CAROLINE! WE LOOK FORWARD TO KEEPING UP WITH YOU THROUGH THE #PUMPTALK COMMUNITY!
KNOW AN AMAZING PERSON WHO IS MAKING VALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS WITHIN INDUSTRY? NOMINATE THEM TO BE AN “INDUSTRY PERSON OF THE WEEK”!
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