In 2007 Mohammed Al Rayahi joined Qatar Shell’s Graduate Programme with a degree in Mechatronic Engineering from the Institute of Science and Technology at the University of Manchester (UMIST). Immediately he was attracted to the company’s unrivalled development opportunities and commitment to diversity. Today, Mohammed is Utilities Maintenance Manager at Pearl GTL, the world’s largest gas-to-liquids plant.
“Shell offers a unique working culture where creativity and innovation is encouraged,” he said. “The level of expertise is great and I get to work with people from all over the world who are keen to share their knowledge. Also, people are clear about how their roles tie in with the wider business, which creates a clear sense of ownership and belonging.”
However, when Mohammed first graduated, his career goals weren’t quite as clear. “I had no idea how to transfer my university education into the real world. I was unsure where I would fit, but thankfully Shell offered the flexibility to try a few things out. Even today I am in a position where I can continue to look for challenges and opportunities to build my career,” he explained.
For Mohammed, some of these opportunities included short-term assignments in the Netherlands and Malaysia, as well as a long-term assignment in Singapore. “This proves Shell’s commitment to develop its staff,” said Mohammed. “These assignments gave me a completely different perspective on how my role fits into the bigger business. I also acquired a lot of knowledge that I have been able to bring back to Qatar.”
Passionate about his home country, Mohammed has also been involved in encouraging local men and women to embark on a fulfilling career with Shell: “I’m inspired by how managers are developing the Qataris in their teams. It’s beneficial for any company to tap into local talent – a company representative who understands the local language and culture can only give positive input. There are so many opportunities for Qataris as the diverse Shell culture keeps growing.”