For our Alumna of the Month interview, we spoke to Jane Cardnell, Senior Counsel at Chevron Upstream Law
Can you briefly describe your current role and what you do day-to-day?
I am Senior Counsel for Chevron U.S.A. in our Houston, Texas office. I work in our upstream oil and gas business where I am a subject matter expert for oil and gas royalties (which are mostly not owned by the State like they are in other countries). I also work on advocacy work where we try to influence oil and gas related laws and regulations and I manage internal investigations. It is a broad practice where I get to work with a huge number of people in the company here in Houston and in our other locations such as Denver, Colorado, and Buenos Aries, Argentina. There is always something new, interesting, and challenging to work on.
What was your path after leaving Bromley High School, and how did you get to where you are now?After finishing my A-Levels (in Music, History and GPS), I went to Durham University to study Music. Life took and unexpected turn when after my first year at Durham, my Mum, Step-Dad and two of my brothers moved to Texas. I went to visit and ended up loving it there. After graduating from Durham, I moved to Texas and enrolled in graduate school and then law school. It worked out perfectly for me because in the American system, studying law is almost always a 3 year post graduate degree. I started my career in Houston’s oil and gas industry and have been here ever since.
What skills or experiences from Bromley High School have helped you the most in your career?
Our headmistress, Mrs. Hancock, always challenged us to do more and to do better. I recall receiving a certificate from Mrs. Hancock in assembly and being told quietly, but firmly, to maintain eye contact. Many schools can give a top-class education but it was the little things a Bromley High School, like being reminded that you were looking at your feet, or being given the opportunity to perform in amazing concert venues, or to challenge yourself to do more, that make a difference.
“In my career, which is competitive and often male dominated, I have remembered what I learned at Bromley High School and used those experiences to remain optimistic and confident.”
I also believe the amazing music tours gave me a world perspective I could not have gained anywhere else. In my short time we toured Canada, Belgium, France, Hungary, Australia and South Africa, sometimes staying with local families. Few schools offer that kind of opportunity.
What was one challenge you faced in your career, and how did you overcome it?
The balance of a big career and motherhood is likely familiar to many reading this. As a mother of two I have faced the challenge of keeping up with work expectations while setting boundaries that also allow me to be a good (I hope!) mother. It is very hard and as the children get older the challenges are different, but not necessarily easier I overcome this challenge by 1: being honest with myself about what kind of parent I want to be and what I really want out of my career; 2: being realistic about what I can and cannot do and 3: setting clear goals that incorporate both 1 and 2. Keeping things in perspective and trying to always see the bright side makes things a lot easier.
What advice would you give to current Sixth Formers who are thinking about their future?
Firstly, do not limit your outlook and willingness to pursue opportunities! If someone had told me that I would end up practicing oil and gas law in Houston, I would have laughed at them. Secondly – and this sounds cliché – believe in yourself and be your own cheerleader. I was not the best pupil in terms of getting homework done on time or doing well in end of year exams, and in 7 years, I never once made it to the Book of Excellence! However, I left Bromley High School with 3 As in my A levels and a belief that I could do well at Durham and beyond and I tried hard not to doubt myself.
Is there anything you wish you’d known about work or university when you were at school?
Everyone is always learning and no one has all the answers.