Lauren Cagley ‘13 always enjoyed problem-solving and using her creativity to make a difference, so finding engineering as her calling during her undergraduate career paved the way for a bright future.
Cagley is currently the Crude Coordinator for the ExxonMobil Beaumont Refinery in Beaumont, TX and is responsible for managing all of the day-to-day logistics for 375,000 barrels (bbls) of crude oil daily. Over the past 5 years, Cagley has held five different positions and values each for the unique skills and lessons they have taught her along the way.
“During my first position,” she says, “I traveled to Spain to work on a licensing job in a JV refinery between a South Korean and a Spanish company. Seeing two very different cultures come together in an industrial setting taught me the importance of understanding why someone says something rather than just what they say.”
Upon relocating to Beaumont, Cagley received the opportunity to work a Crude Unit Turnaround, which happens once every 8-10 years. Turnarounds allow for maintenance and upkeep of operating units and are needed to maintain safe and efficient operations. For two and a half months, Cagley worked the night-shift on a 13-day rotation.
“This experience taught me the importance of getting out of the classroom or the office and seeing everything first hand. It also taught me about work/life balance and showed me just how hard I could push myself!”
Cagley says being a Park Scholar had a big impact on her choice to join ExxonMobil.
“Coming into NC State, I thought I knew exactly what I wanted to do: get a Ph.D., then work in the Biopharm-Engineering industry. As I continued to take classes, I struggled with exactly what I wanted to do; the Park Scholarships program provided me with a number of resources between the Park Faculty Scholars, the Park office staff, and my fellow scholars.”
Ultimately, Cagley decided to accept the job with the Beaumont refinery during a silent reflective writing activity on the last day of her Senior Retreat.
Her advice to current Park Scholars? “Keep an open mind and find something that you’re passionate about…. and of course participate in the Krispy Kreme Challenge!!”
posted 2018.04.23