Isabel Arbeláez

I attribute my success to passion, commitment, and dedication. I'm very passionate about everything I do, and when I'm committed to do something, you know, if I put my mind to do something, I would give my everything. So I'm very committed, I'm very passionate, and I think it's just dedication and enjoying what I do. I think being able to continue growing my career in this country, coming from a different culture and a different background, and becoming a manager in this area has been one of my proudest achievements. It required learning how to adapt and continue growing, because if you are fixated on a rigid plan, then everything is going to fall apart for you if things don't go as you expected. So being flexible and adaptable is one of the best things we can do.

I would say the most important thing is to be flexible and adaptable rather than fixated on a rigid plan. I was having a conversation with a younger professional who asked how I see myself in 5 years, and I said, well, to be honest, I don't anymore. I thought I had a plan at first, but things have been changing so much. When I came to this country, I never thought that I was going to stay this long - the plan was one year and they were going to send me somewhere else after that. I never expected I was going to lose my job or get divorced or things like that. The best thing is to learn how to adapt and continue growing, because if you are fixated in that plan, then everything is gonna fall apart for you if things don't go as you expected. So being flexible and adaptable is one of the best things we can do.

One of the biggest challenges I see is that this industry, the oil and gas industry, has always been a male-dominated industry. I know things have changed, but it still is the case. I think being able to reach a managerial position in the industry is good, and it's something that I would like to continue seeing more often. There are challenges - sometimes being from a different culture, with English not being my first language, and being a woman, those kinds of things sometimes add to the difficulty, like sometimes getting along with some people. There's still some pushback sometimes. I don't want to bring any sensitive topics, but yeah, it's kind of a reality.

Education has always played an important role in my development. I earned my bachelor’s degree in geology in Colombia and continued strengthening my leadership and technical capabilities through specialized industry training and professional development programs throughout my career. I remain actively involved in organizations such as the Society of Petrophysicists and Well Log Analysts, the Houston Geological Society, and SBAPG, which have provided valuable opportunities for collaboration, learning, and professional connection.

Beyond technical expertise, I believe passion, commitment, and dedication are the qualities that truly define success. I have always approached my work with a strong sense of responsibility and a desire to continue growing, even during challenging times.