VOLUME VII ISSUE IV WINTER 2013

Oil&GasTIDBITSWe Keep North Dakota Going Strong

N o r t h D a k o t a a L a n d o f O p p o r t u n i t y f o r y o u n g p r o f e s s i o n a l s

Learn more about the North Dakota oil and gas industry at www.northdakotaoilcan.com

As recently as five years ago, this statement may have been true, but today, thanks in part to oil and gas development, that outlook has changed dramatically. North Dakota now stands as a leader not of out-migration, but of in-migration, as low unemployment, a growing economy, and more than 16,000 open jobs have helped keep North Dakotans home and attract more to the state. And, for the first time in decades, North Dakota is even growing younger, earning the title as best state for young people.

For these and other reasons, James Shockman, an attorney with Murnane Brandt in Bismarck, says the time for the young professional is now.

Energy development presents a tremendous opportunity to our region, said Shockman. Technological advances in the oil and gas industry continue to increase and are providing an unprecedented array of opportunities for rewarding careers in North Dakota.

After graduating high school, Shockman left his home in Berlin, North Dakota to earn a degree in business management from St. Johns University in Collegeville, Minnesota and a law degree from William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota. Had it not been for the burgeoning energy industry back in North Dakota, Shockman may have been one of the thousands who left North Dakota permanently for better opportunities elsewhere.

When I started law school, the industry was just scratching the surface of the Bakken shale and there was little demand for

related legal services. However, the rapid expansion of energy development in North Dakota has created a need for lawyers who know the industry and related issues, said Shockman. My firm has those qualifications.

Shockman, who went to high school in LaMoure in eastern North Dakota, has been joined by several friends from high school, college and law school who have found work either directly or indirectly in the oil and gas industry. The availability of jobs and high wages alone are enough to draw people to North Dakota from all over the country, but a third, often overlooked positive aspect about the industry is career advancement.

Most senior employees in the industry are baby-boomers and the employees who eventually will take their place are now in their mid-20s to early 30s, said Shockman. The timing for a young professional in North Dakota is ideal.

Some states export cotton; others manufacture goods, oil, timber or coal. North Dakota exports people, young, talented (and) energetic people thousands by the year.

Albert Stern, 1965

Following graduation, James was able to return to North Dakota to pursue a legal career. Although he lives in western North Dakota, still helps work on his familys farm near Berlin, ND.

N e w p o s s i b i l i t i e s f o r e n t r e p r e n e u r s a n d c o m m u n i t i e s

The unprecedented growth in western North Dakota has brought with it many challenges, but for the entrepreneur and visionary, it has also brought with it opportunity and potential.

For Jason Baker, a graduate of North Dakota State University with a masters in civil engineering, that opportunity was the ability to move back to his home in 2010

Jason and his wife, Maria, also an engineer, returned to his familys ranch near Mandaree, ND where they raise their daughter, Willow.

North Dakota Petroleum Council

PO Box 1395

Bismarck, ND 58502-1395

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North Dakota Petroleum CouncilWe Keep North Dakota Going Strong

phone: 701.223.6380fax: 701.222.0006

e-mail: ndpc@ndoil.org

120 North 3rd Street, Suite 200 PO Box 1395

Bismarck, ND 58502-1395

and start his own business, Baker Consulting, LLC, with his father, Dr. Paige Baker. The father-son team first ran the business out of their house northwest of Mandaree, a small community on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation, with the intent of being a civil engineering firm; however, as the Bakers saw additional needs within the industry, the business expanded to include oilfield services. Today, the business has an office, shop, a fleet of equipment and vehicles, and 25 employees.

This is something that I never would have imagined possible five to ten years ago, said Jason. The opportunities for those willing to invest in the effort are incredible.

In addition to the positive impacts oil development has had on job creation, the states economy and energy security, Jason also acknowledged the role the industry is playing in introducing North Dakota to the world and bringing new perspectives in to the state.

Oil development is bringing in people from across the country and world, and broadening the diversity of the state and providing more exposure to the world around us, said Jason. Although we still need to maintain our traditions and beliefs, we must be open to the changes occurring due to the introduction of new people, cultures, and perspectives.

All of these benefits and many of these changes, said Jason, are exciting. It is exciting to see how energy development is creating an opportunity for individuals, families, and communities to improve themselves in ways which have never been possible before.

E n e r g y i n d u s t r y a c o n d u i t f o r i m p r o v i n g s e l f , w a y o f l i f e

One of the individuals who recognizes those opportunities is Sarah Sesselman, a civil engineer for AE2S in Grand Forks. For her, the energy industry provides an opportunity for young professionals build on their educations and challenge themselves to grow personally and professionally.

Oil development has benefitted our collegiate institutions by making them more competitive and providing people with more tools to be directly involved in the ever-growing activities within the state, said Sesselman. One of the challenges in western North Dakota is finding the right people for the right jobs, but I believe that young people like me can help by stepping outside of their comfort zone and challenging themselves to take on more responsibilities within reason.

Sesselman is not a stranger to this philosophy. As an intern for

AE2S in western North Dakota, she was responsible for keeping those with higher levels of experience and responsibilitythe contractor, engineer and client well informed to ensure projects stayed on schedule, a major responsibility since these projects ultimately helped provide essential services to communities. This is important to keeping the resources that provide enhancements to human life running smoothly, she said.

For the Montana native, her job and the work of AE2S is important for job growth and energy development, and thus, energy and economic security. The immediate benefits of oil and gas development is the opportunity for more jobs and career advancement for individuals. Long term benefits will revolve mostly around our states and country becoming more self-sufficient, and in turn, creating a more well-rounded economy.

Sarah works full-time for AE2S as a Project Engineer in Grand Forks.