Starting strong / Developing the next generation of technical talent

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Accelerate Rotation Program helps new engineers and geoscientists get up to speed
Alaska engineer James Baisden stands by a turbine generator at Alpine on the North Slope.

Alaska engineer James Baisden stands by a turbine generator at Alpine on the North Slope.

After joining ConocoPhillips in 2025, engineer James Baisden spent his first year rotating through assignments at Alpine and Kuparuk on the North Slope, gaining a deeper understanding of the equipment, operations and people that power the company's Alaska business unit. 
 
Baisden, a 2025 University of Alaska Fairbanks graduate, is one of 25 participants in the latest Accelerate Rotation Program class, a one-year, field-based initiative designed to accelerate the technical development of new engineers and geoscientists just out of college. 
History of the Accelerate Rotation Program
  • The program in its current form began at Concho Resources in 2017 as an engineering rotation program focused on the Permian Basin.
  • After ConocoPhillips acquired Concho in 2021, it expanded to include geoscientists and opportunities across multiple operating regions.
  • Since then, more than 100 engineers and geoscientists have completed the program.
 
The program immerses early-career employees like Baisden in operations and functions from the start, helping them quickly build technical skills. Along the way, they gain a broader view of the business and develop a network of contacts across the company.

“I have a much better grasp of how the Alaska oil industry operates,” said Baisden, who recently completed three four-month field rotations.

Such field-based learning and operational exposure are central to the Accelerate Rotation Program, said Barry Thomas, early career technical director who oversees the program.
 
"This program accelerates the learning curve," he said, "and it helps them understand how it all fits together."
 
Like Baisden, about 90 percent of Accelerate participants have been ConocoPhillips summer interns, giving them early exposure to the company’s culture and field environment. Accelerate builds on that foundation, offering deeper learning and hands-on experience to help participants refine their interests and career direction. 
James Baisden began his first rotation in Alpine, learning about the asset's central facility, drill sites, Willow construction and other field operations. He then rotated to Kuparuk to work with the wells group, gaining experience in slickline, e-line, relay, coil tubing, downhole diagnostics, frac, flowback, and drilling and workover operations. During his final rotation, Baisden was placed with the Kuparuk Operations & Maintenance team where he shadowed engineers and operators at the asset's processing hubs. 
As part of this year's program, participants presented their project work during technical showcases in Houston, Midland and Anchorage, giving them the opportunity to connect with future colleagues and sharpen their presentation skills. During his rotations, Alaska engineer James Baisden discovered well intervention interested him the most, leading him to present on how tubing cuts are made using downhole tools. "It was a great time showing others in the Anchorage office what I have learned during my time on the Slope."
Accelerate participants rotate through a series of assignments in either the Alaska, Gulf Coast & Rockies (GCR) or Permian business unit. Along the way, they are supported through check-ins, one-on-ones and peer connections, with mentors providing consistent guidance. Because every mentor is a former Accelerate participant, they can offer practical insight rooted in their own experience navigating the program.
 
Amanda Inskeep, early career technical lead, said Accelerate challenges participants to think more critically — pushing them beyond questions of what and how. 

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"We want them to have a questioning philosophy," she said, "to ask, 'Why are we doing it this way?'"
 
Beyond technical training, the program helps participants build professional skills, sharpen workplace etiquette and gain the confidence to succeed.

"The transition from college to corporate life can be tricky," she said, "so we handle a lot of that aspect, too."

At its core, the program's mission is to equip the next generation of oil and gas experts with the skills, mindset and confidence to find and deliver energy to the world.
 
For early-career engineers like Baisden, the program has delivered, exposing them to new opportunities and showing what a career at ConocoPhillips can look like.
 
"While on the Slope, everyone has been incredibly supportive," he said. "They've gone above and beyond to teach me and help me grow as a new engineer at ConocoPhillips." 

I enjoy connecting with people and learning from their experiences, and this program has provided a great environment to do just that. Each rotation has offered unique lessons and hands-on experiences, and every role has challenged me in different ways while contributing to my overall growth.

Madison Engineer

The program allows you to experience what is actually going on in the field and how operations work. The best part of the program was getting to experience a variety of different disciplines and teams. That exposure helped me build knowledge about each discipline, which I believe is critical to becoming a well-rounded engineer.

Kevin Drilling engineer

The program gives you a better understanding of how each function works at the field operations level, which is valuable when making decisions and understanding how they affect other groups. This is especially important when developing designs or making changes that could impact operations or other functions.

Zsamia Production Engineer

The biggest learning I've taken away from the rotational program is the 'why' aspect of everything being done. Each team and discipline plays a crucial part in keeping ConocoPhillips running smoothly. The program also helped me clarify what I want my future career to look like.

Evan geophysicist

My favorite part of the program was the opportunity to be part of several different teams and rotate into new roles. Working closely with engineers, land, drilling and other teams helped me better understand how geoscience fits into the bigger picture and how early technical choices can influence decisions and outcomes.

Izabelle geologist

The part of the program that most influenced my career path was the field exposure I gained through my rotations. It showed me the value of collaborating across disciplines and how those partnerships shape everyday decisions. The program has given me the mindset to look at day-to-day decisions from multiple perspectives while understanding their impact on the bottom line.

Luke Reservoir Engineer

The best part of the program is getting exposure to so many different teams across the business unit. It also helps you expand your professional network. Being able to contribute to teams in meaningful ways has boosted my confidence and broadened my perspective.

Tate geophysicist

As a mentor, I try to make sure participants leave the rotation program with a solid understanding of our business — not just what we do, but the 'why' behind it. Understanding the 'why' is what helps you challenge assumptions and identify better ways of working. The rotations move quickly, and having someone in your corner to help connect the dots and ask the right questions can make a big difference.

Hayden senior analyst | Accelerate mentor

The program provides early-career engineers with valuable support as they navigate a steep learning curve and gain exposure across the business. A strong mentor gives participants a consistent connection point outside their immediate assignment and someone they can rely on as they move between teams. The rotations are fast-paced, so having steady guidance helps participants navigate challenges more effectively and turn a series of rotations into a cohesive, high-impact development experience.

Cara Drilling Engineer | Accelerate mentor