Faces
BY GUS MORGAN
If you’re looking to get into the oil and gas industry, Tiffany Roberts knows the way.
“Sometimes, you just have to take a leap of faith and step out of your comfort zone if you want something different,” said Tiffany, a stabilizer operator/multi-skill operator.
Years ago, Tiffany decided to change professions, looking to move beyond the job she had as a financial counselor at a hospital in East Texas.
“At that point in time, I became a single mom. I needed something that was going to support the lifestyle I wanted for me and my four kids.”
Tiffany sought a profession that was more hands-on, something out of an office.
“I had no clue what I was going to do. I wanted to do something in STEM, so I knew I needed to go back to school. As a financial counselor, I developed strong analytical and problem-solving skills, which are valuable in STEM fields. I now needed to focus on gaining technical and mechanical skills for this journey of professional growth.”
Tiffany didn’t have to look far for inspiration.
Tiffany’s mother was pursuing a petroleum technology degree program at Kilgore College, making a career change to oil and gas.
“I'm like, ‘OK, my mom is going through this program. I definitely can do it.’”
Tiffany followed her mother’s lead, enrolling in the same degree program.
Even before she graduated in 2014, Tiffany had job offers from two different companies in the Permian Basin.
“If I hadn’t gone back to school, I'd still be struggling. My education and the oil and gas industry opened doors to opportunities and has empowered me to pursue my goals. By making the career choice I made, I set myself and my children up for success.”
After graduation, Tiffany worked for various oil companies in the Permian Basin, honing her technical skills and gaining valuable on-the-job experience. She joined ConocoPhillips in 2020.
Today, Tiffany is a multi-skill operator for a central processing facility in the Delaware Basin West. A central processing facility handles all the oil, gas and water produced from surrounding wells. She also heads into the field to check on surrounding well sites.
“I love working with my hands. I've always been a tinkerer. When there's an issue, I enjoy fixing it and seeing the outcome. I strive to be efficient at what I do and optimize things where I can.”
Twenty years ago, I never would have thought I'd be in the oil field. But here I am, and I absolutely love it.
Tiffany’s three oldest children — two daughters and son — followed in her footsteps. After earning certificates at New Mexico Junior College in Hobbs, they are working in the oil field as pumpers. She also met her husband a couple of years after she had been working in her new career field.
“The Permian Basin is a tight knit, hard-working community that cares about each other and values the work we do for the rest of the world, and I'm proud to be a part of it."
Tiffany's commitment to education and continuous learning has propelled her to success.
“If you can put forth the effort, that's your door. Twenty years ago, I never would have thought I’d be in the oil field. But here I am, and I absolutely love it. I want to inspire other women to look at the opportunities in the oil field, because a lot of women think they can't do it. But they definitely can.”
