Investing in people, investing in the future

A career in energy provides almost endless possibilities.
ExxonMobil recognizes and supports talent across the world.
We focus on developing local skills and capabilities wherever we operate.

News

3 min read

• Feb. 18, 2025

Image Hazizi Hassan
Nigeria deepwater operations manager — Hazizi Hassan
Nigeria deepwater operations manager

Hazizi Hassan’s scholarship from ExxonMobil changed his life – and put him on the path to an energy career that he could never have imagined.

“I’ve spent nearly 20 years with ExxonMobil: my journey began when ExxonMobil offered to pay my university tuition fees, and led to an exciting and fulfilling career,” Hazizi says.

The moment ExxonMobil saw his potential everything changed.

“I come from a low-income family,” Hazizi explains. “My parents would not have been able to afford a world-class, overseas education. I had barely even left my small hometown until I turned 12.”

Hazizi with one of his MBA coursemates as he furthers his learning horizon

“Getting a scholarship was a huge enabler for my success.”

ExxonMobil’s scholarship took Hazizi from Malaysia to the UK to study engineering, and then back to Malaysia to start his career. He spent 12 years sharpening technical skills and business knowledge through various roles before eventually relocating to the US for several assignments. In his current role with ExxonMobil in Nigeria, he’s helping the nation access its deepwater energy reserves.

“It’s been an incredible journey so far. As a young boy in Malaysia, I could never have imagined my life as it is today. And it all started with the education I received,” he says.

Why energy?

Hazizi says this career was sparked by an enthusiasm for energy, one that continues to drive him today.

“I may have stumbled across the energy industry by accident, but I’ve stayed because of the huge difference it makes in people’s lives,” Hazizi says.

The Jungle School

One of Hazizi’s efforts to give back is helping to set up the Jungle School, to help reduce the educational gap among Orang Asli children in his home state of Terengganu.

In this particular village, their community used to have the lowest school attendance in the entire country – almost zero at times.

Exterior of the Jungle School designed and built by the Orang Asli community themselves

“The Orang Asli have a different, traditional lifestyle,” Hazizi says. “They go deep into the forest to harvest food, with parents taking children for weeks or even months,” he explains. “As a result, school attendance drops."

He said that children in the community often had limited opportunities and found it hard to imagine a different life.

“Children were largely unaware of how people outside their community live. With this school, we can at least show them that there are options.”

Setting up the school meant approaching education differently – meeting the Orang Asli’s needs. This included focusing less on traditional core subjects and using informal learning modules. Elements of eating, playing, and music were interspersed between learning sessions to attract the interest of children.

The community has responded positively to the new school, with higher attendance rates and students being more confident to speak in class.

He says growing up with energy insecurity was another challenge that motivated him to help make sure others don’t have to live with that.

“I remember when we used to have state-wide blackouts. I couldn’t study, and life at home became very challenging. It made me realize how significant the energy industry is for all our lives. Today, I have the opportunity to ensure other people don’t have to face those hardships by providing the reliable energy supply that society needs.”

Hazizi Hassan

Nigeria deepwater operations manager

Out in the field with the 1000th horizontal well developed in the Midland Basin, Permian.

“ExxonMobil’s relentless investment in personnel development, as well as various mentors inside and outside the company have played a key part in my personal and professional growth. When I think about how these individuals have made a difference for me, it makes me want to do the same for people who may not have the opportunities that I had.”

Hazizi says a career in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), with the backing of ExxonMobil, has allowed him to help others through his career. He especially enjoys speaking to students and young people and encouraging them to explore potential STEM vocations.

“The STEM field is so wide and there are so many things you can do to make an impact,” he adds. “One of the most important things is the thinking process. When you combine that with soft skills and an emphasis on learning, you can achieve almost anything.”

Hazizi’s advice for anyone looking to follow in his footsteps is simple: "Stay curious."