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Laura Snaith works as a Global HR Advisor for the IT function within Shell, a global group of energy and petrochemical companies, with 104,000 employees in more than 110 countries. Having graduated just two years ago with a BSC degree in psychology, Laura is based in the Netherlands and responsible for looking after some 200 members of staff.
So was HR always on the cards for her? “Not at all,” says Laura. As a child she wanted to be a vet, and gained experience working at an animal sanctuary and London Zoo. However, during her school studies she enjoyed psychology: “I liked learning about how people work and function together, so I knew it would be something along those lines that I went into.”
Her degree opened doors into many potential career paths. “I didn’t have a specific career in mind, but I used the careers centre to research sectors.” From there she found that her study subject could be useful for a whole host of different job roles, and of particular interest to her was the way that many of her skills would be utilised in a HR role: “Psychology leaves doors open to go into other disciplines because of the skill sets that are developed; the ability to analyse data, work in teams, write reports and work to tight deadlines to name a few.”
Multiple motivations
Laura chose to pursue her career with Shell for a number reasons: To start with, she liked the company, what it stood for, and its reputation for the way it treated its employees. She could see from the outset that this was a place where she would be able to make a name for herself.
“I applied for – and was awarded – the Shell Personal Development Award (PDA), which gives non-final year students a specific sum of money in order to build on their own personal development. I used the funds to travel to Australia and work on a conservation project removing local and natural vegetation. How did it personally develop me? Well, I was absolutely petrified of snakes and spiders! These creatures were not a rare sight at all, where we slept in Cairns. So conquering my fears; that was something I was able to do because of the PDA.

“I liked what I had experienced of the company when I was awarded the PDA, and the fact that they awarded me this prize and did not expect anything in return was really great, so when I was invited to the assessment day, I went with an
open mind.”
Shell runs a programme called ‘Develop’: “All graduates join the programme, which involves several job rotations within the first few years at the company. For HR, this means that within my first five years, I will be given the opportunity to work in three different disciplines of HR, so that I can work out for myself what I am good at and like doing.
“You are able to learn on the job as well as the specific training you receive. I partake in the Develop programme, which allows you to identify skills you can build upon and those you need to work on. I also take part in training courses specific to my function, and these can vary greatly; for example, I took an advanced excel course, but also one in how to assist a line manager when they are reviewing people’s performances.
“I like the fact that my role allows me to develop the business, but also develop people personally,” adds Laura. Her role involved being organised and having the ability to prioritise her workload. Communication is an essential element of the job too: “In HR, and in any function, I come into contact with a wide range of people, so you have to have the ability to be flexible and adapt to them in various ways. Communication skills are key.”
Laura is motivated by challenges and enjoys the amount of responsibility the role gives her. “I like the fact I am doing a ‘real’ job. The work is challenging and fast-paced, but rewarding.
“I want new challenges and to be stimulated. I recently had to produce a communications pack to help line managers deliver difficult feedback where I was given a lot of freedom to navigate the project the way I wanted to and take a lot of the responsibility on.

I think the main thing about a career at Shell is the responsibility you are given from the moment you start at the company; there is a great deal of it, but you are not expected to know everything first hand. You are allowed to make mistakes.”
Another major challenge has been coping with her decision to move to the Netherlands for her job. Leaving friends and family behind, she had to contend with learning a new role in another country: “I spent a long time learning a new job but also settling in a new country where I did not know the people or the language. I overcame this though; I want to stay in the Netherlands and, as most of my team is based here, it makes sense.”
While Laura has shown great strength in her career choices, she also had another challenge to overcome: her mother also works within HR, in a senior role, and what’s more at Shell. “My mum, Dale, works in the same function but Shell HR is so big that we haven’t worked together yet. My initial fears about being overshadowed by her and the work she does were unfounded. Sometimes people recognise me as we look alike, or because of my surname, but I am judged on my own merits.
“We sometimes instant message each other with the IM function all Shell employees have in the office. It’s nice to see how she’s doing at various points in the week and if I ever need advice, I know she’s there.”
Laura feels well supported by her family and by Shell, and plans to stay in the Netherlands for the foreseeable future. “I especially like the bar and restaurant culture in the Netherlands; you can sit in a restaurant with your friends and catch up for however long you want, I like that,” she enthuses.
“Where will I be in ten year’s time? I will most likely be here, and at Shell!” Moving to the Netherlands for her career was a big sacrifice for Laura to make, but so far it is certainly paying off, with a new job, and a whole new life.

Three routes into Shell:
Shell recruitment day
This eight-hour day includes exercises, presentations and a group discussion – enabling you to find out how well you cope in different business scenarios and assess your potential for business or technical leadership. It’s a chance for you and the employer to observe each other in action.

Gourami business challenge
Gourami is a fictional country and is the setting for Shell’s interactive business challenge – held in a number of locations worldwide. Working with a team to develop and present a viable five-year business plan, you’ll gain an excellent understanding of the global activities and working culture at Shell.

Internship
Want to test and prove yourself over an extended period? An internship will give you first-hand experience of Shell as an employer – and exposure to a range of real-life business projects. Along the way, you’ll benefit from detailed feedback on just how well you’re doing. Which means, in short, you’ll find out if you’ve got what it takes.

For more information visit www.shell.co.uk/careers

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