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In this episode, Elizabeth Corner speaks to Josiah SooTot, Chair at Young Pipeliners International (YPI) and Pipeline Integrity Engineer at ExxonMobil, about what Young Pipeliners International does for young professionals in the pipeline industry.
This episode of the podcast covers:
This episode of the podcast covers:
- YPI’s main goals in supporting young professionals in the pipeline industry.
- How YPI collaborates with other industry associations and organisations to create opportunities for young professionals.
- The programmes or initiatives YPI offers to help early-career professionals grow in the pipeline sector.
- The biggest challenges facing young professionals in the pipeline industry today.
- And more!
Please support the show by subscribing, rating and reviewing!
Sponsoring this episode of the World Pipelines Podcast is the TDW SmartPlug® Isolation System — The safest inline isolation system on the market. Learn more here.
Sponsoring this episode of the World Pipelines Podcast is the TDW SmartPlug® Isolation System — The safest inline isolation system on the market. Learn more here.
Creators and Guests
What is World Pipelines Podcast?
The World Pipelines podcast, with Elizabeth Corner, is a podcast that connects and unites pipeline professionals to learn about issues affecting the midstream oil and gas industry.
Hello, and welcome back to the World Pipelines podcast, a podcast series for pipeliners featuring short, insightful interviews with people in the oil and gas pipeline industry. I'm your host, Elizabeth Corner. And in this season of the podcast, I'm talking to people from membership associations for the pipeline sector. Throughout the series, we're exploring exactly what these associations do to move the midstream sector forwards and to support pipeliners all over the world.
Advert:The World Pipelines podcast is brought to you by TD Williamson. Looking for the safest in line isolation solution on the market? Look no further. The Smart Plug inline isolation system from TD Williamson delivers with double independent energized seals, giving you unmatched protection on every project. From maintenance to emergency repairs, the Smart Plug offers the safety and reliability that pipeline operators depend on.
Advert:Ready to upgrade your next project? Visit tdw.red/smartplug to learn more.
Elizabeth Corner:For this episode, my guest is Josiah SooTot Sutot, who is chair at Young Pipeliners International, which we will refer to as YPI. Josiah is also a pipeline integrity engineer working at ExxonMobil. Hi, Josiah.
Josiah SooTot:Hey.
Elizabeth Corner:Let's start off by talking about what YPI does for the pipeline industry and what are its main goals?
Josiah SooTot:You know, first of all, thanks for having me on the podcast. I really appreciate you reaching out and then us being able to do this as well. Young Pipelines International, YPI, is really a forum where a young pipeliners group from all over the world can really collaborate to share different experiences, you know, best practices. YPI really is very diverse. You know, we have YPP group, which is young pipeline professionals group ranging in North America, so US, Mexico, Canada, all the way to Australia, Europe, Asia as well, India, China, and then so forth.
Josiah SooTot:So really a platform we were to help different groups within the young pipeline professionals to gain knowledge, you know, gain sharing experiences, understanding the different facet of pipelines, and then really to be a vehicle, right, to help the next generation prepare as the transfer duty care in the pipeline industry.
Elizabeth Corner:A worthy goal. And I wonder how does YPI collaborate with other industry associations and other organizations to help create opportunities for those young professionals?
Josiah SooTot:Yeah. Excellent question. YPI by way of, you know, the various YPP regions, chapters we have across the world, really collaborates with the various organization naming a few Clarion, is the organizers of the annual pipeline picking integrity management PPIM conference in Houston, API and then also ASME, is American Society of Mechanical Engineer on the International Pipeline Conference and also PTC, the technology conference in Berlin to really organize, various events and awards. If I can name one, it will be the Young Achievement Awards that is, annually awarded to high and and and energetic young professionals, right, to really encourage participation, really the medium to engage with the different organization, to leverage networking opportunity, and then just really creating various learning opportunity with our younger professionals.
Elizabeth Corner:Yes, and as some listeners might know, World Pipelines has a working relationship with YPI, whereby we help celebrate and recognise the annual winners of that award, the award for young achievement. I always really enjoy talking to the recipients of the award about how they found themselves working in the pipeline sector, where they see their careers going. What kind of programmes or initiatives does YPI offer to help early career professionals grow in the pipeline sector?
Josiah SooTot:Oh, another excellent question. If I may add, YPI by way of the local YPP chapters across the board, across the world really, we will do various targeted learnings, right? You know, one example I can bring on is a monthly webinar. So for example, from the YPP USA team, right? That will really bring in industry leading speakers on various topics.
Josiah SooTot:It can range from, you know, the technical topics or leadership topics that, you know, every month we try to stack up and then really invite and open it for free to our members to really plugged in and then really pick golden nuggets from it. Right? And then you also serve as a opportunity for younger professors to have a contact in the industry to know who to reach out for future references, future need help, guidance, mentorship, etcetera. And on top of that, we also do, happy hour events, you know, various workshops throughout the year. And then I also am very involved in the YPP USA organization.
Josiah SooTot:So, also do an annual symposium, for example, that would really serve various platforms and opportunity for younger professionals to be plugged in into the pipeline sector.
Elizabeth Corner:You mentioned networking. How important is in person networking within YPI and also mentorship as well? How does that work for you?
Josiah SooTot:In terms of the broader in person networking, obviously, because we're all various, we're all spread out throughout the world where we try to leverage several opportunity to meet up with at least some groups within YPI in, like, annual conferences. Right? Like PPIM or IPC or PTC so that we can gather, you know, have that knowledge sharing, you know, have couple of drinks, have fun at the same time. And then I I find it personally is very important in this day and era where the in person, networking really competes in a space with with the likes of the Zoom and the team but I personally think that you know the in person network really connect whether it's emotionally or various other avenue that don't necessarily have over the Zoom meeting.
Elizabeth Corner:So you have this membership base, you've got this cohort of, I think under 35s, is that right? And what can you do for those young professionals to help them stay informed about what's going on in their industry, how to stay ahead, how to get ahead?
Josiah SooTot:Yeah, that's another great question. Throughout our various organization, throughout the world, we really try to be very targeted in terms of learnings. So really spread things into two different buckets, the career mentorship or leadership kind of kind of pathway. So we would have targeted webinars and mentorship program that will help younger professionals be able to relate and then really chart out a path for them in terms of the career development, right? Whether it's the technical route or whether being a supervisory or management in their respective organization.
Josiah SooTot:So that really one one avenue. We do it by way of either formal or informal mentorship. Right? Once you get into a a cohort or organization, those discussion can happen a little bit more natural. Secondly, we also do a little bit more of a informal technical running by way of some sort of workshop, some sort of symposium whereby, you know, the latest integrity trend or technical knowledge can be shared in a high level, obviously, and then to the younger professionals.
Josiah SooTot:From there, really try to join in the younger professional so that they can really know what various directions in their career that they wanna pursue. Right?
Elizabeth Corner:And as chair, you must talk to a lot of pipeline professionals who are in the beginning of their journey or the middle of their career. What do you think are the biggest challenges facing those young professionals in the pipeline industry today?
Josiah SooTot:Yeah, I think a few challenges. If I make the candidate, just talking to the various aspect within the industry in terms of knowledge and experiences. Right? In a younger professional timeframe, obviously, in this day and era, we're a part of the ever changing, ever evolving energy business, which is very critical to to the world really. I think the biggest challenge here is to be able to not necessarily I I I don't wanna use the word compete, but, you know, to really, try to get the best brains out there and then really to lure, if I may, you know, younger professional to be in in the pipe in the pipeline industry, also in the energy industry as this is then era we really see the younger professionals really easily gravitate to the technologies and AI companies of the world.
Josiah SooTot:Right? So the Apple, the Googles and whatnot. Right? So it is, if I may, it's really that big part of it, but we're seeing in the last couple of years, the trends start to reverse a little bit, we can, you know, we see a lot of bright engineers or bright young professionals coming back to the energy slash the pipeline industry, so which is very encouraging.
Elizabeth Corner:That is great to hear. And I wonder what this new generation of pipelines is bringing to the sector that perhaps isn't there at the moment or that needs more focus. Is there something that they are very good at bringing to help us solve? What are some big challenges ahead?
Josiah SooTot:Yeah, definitely. The younger generation now, the younger professional, obviously they have a lot more proficient in terms of the latest and greatest threat, whether it's leveraging AI or leveraging the various platforms and softwares that we exist now that don't necessarily exist, you know, fifteen, twenty years ago. So really, I can definitely see huge advantage in the industry really to leverage those skill sets that, these young professionals bring in and then their way of thinking as well. Right? The ability to think outside the box, right, to really challenge the convention.
Josiah SooTot:I think, you know, to a certain extent, this is very necessary to really propel this industry forward, to really change the dynamic of things, to not being labeled as, oh, yeah. It's a it's a conservative, boring industry. Right? To very to to switch it around and be really a innovative, fun, and then cutting edge industry as well. So definitely a few points there that we can learn actually from the younger generation.
Elizabeth Corner:And do you see any shifts in the industry that are particularly exciting? You've mentioned AI, that must be one of them. And then anything that is particularly concerning for the next generation of professionals that might stop them from either joining the industry or from staying in the industry?
Josiah SooTot:Yeah. So to to answer the first point, it's been to stay in the industry on exciting projects. Right? I I think if as we evolve in a new new direction within the energy industry, try to definitely the two topics that really stands out for me at least it would be the the CO2 and hydrogen space. Right?
Josiah SooTot:I think it is a lot of operators out there are very it's very exciting news looking into carbon sequestration and storage and hydrogen piping and whatnot. So that is definitely a space and and and it serves a very noble cause as well. Right? You know, try to obviously lower the global emission footprint and and whatnot. So I think that would really be a a forefront of the industry and the younger generations obviously can relate to and then stay plugged in on that.
Josiah SooTot:And to your second question on some of the challenges to it, right, I I think I mentioned in my previous statement as well, it would be one of those things with as YPI or YP different across the world. It's really be the bridge and then really change the narrative a little bit in terms of the industry, the pipeline sector is really a fun place to be with. Right? We have various activities. You know, it is a stable industry.
Josiah SooTot:Right? It's it has a very worthy cause to ensure that energy get transported, and then that way we can lift people up, the entire world with energy. Yeah. So I I think the messaging there is vital as well. And then we're actually quite fun, really.
Elizabeth Corner:That is very good to hear. I always do get the sense that you are quite fun at YPI. And essentially you're telling people that they can have a chance to save the world, right? So with that in mind, what advice would you give to young engineers and people looking to establish a career in pipelines?
Josiah SooTot:Yeah, another great questions. My advice and my personal experience as well is to really stay, first of all, mind. I understand coming up from college, first couple of years in the industry on the workspace really, that's gonna be a little of a shift, a little bit of, changing, but maintaining open mind is really vital in my opinion. Also staying hungry, be the best at the current job, whatever it may entail, And then really to be adaptive, to learn the various technology, various evolution within the industry, and then to really go out there. And I think more importantly, to also work hard, but also have fun.
Josiah SooTot:That will really be, in my opinion, be a more integral part of of work as well. And then that what I've observed is tend to have a little bit more of a positive impact, especially in the long term in the partner industry.
Elizabeth Corner:You must see a lot of success stories. You must be celebrating your members all the time. In terms of career development, do those connections that people make enjoy? Do people stay in touch after they have left YPI after they've moved on in their career? Is that something that helps people as they move up in the sector?
Josiah SooTot:Yes, definitely. You know, I've heard many success story whereby a younger engineer within YPP, YPI, and then just really make those connections with industry leaders, with industry mentors are usually in a mid or later career phase. And then just really pick their brains and nuggets, right? I think those really sped up those individuals. And then as they move up, they continue to stay connected even though they're quote unquote age out of of YVI.
Josiah SooTot:They did tend to really still continue to stay plugged in and give back and then give their time and effort via mentorship or being in various discussion, leading webinars and whatnot. So that is very, very common. And I see the continued process and progression of some of these individuals and then giving back to the industry as well. Huge kudos to a lot of them.
Elizabeth Corner:You've touched on this a little, but I wonder if you have anything else to say about the most valuable skills for young pipeliners. If you're going to be a successful pipeliner, what do you need to have in your toolkit in order to do well?
Josiah SooTot:Yeah. To really touch on a little bit more on what I just said earlier as well, obviously being open, but also trying to learn the different facets of the industry as well, right? Whether it's operations, whether it's integrity, the low carbon transportation space, the hydrogen space, that that would really help shape individuals to be a more all rounder. Right? And then having the right attitude and mindset.
Josiah SooTot:Right? Staying humble, staying hungry, and and then also network. Always find the opportunity to learn the latest and greatest from different avenues. It really serves as a good platform for all this knowledge sharing and the best practices, get to know people, lean on your mentorships to really propel an individual forward in a shorter timeframe.
Elizabeth Corner:You mentioned that YPI is the umbrella company that then within that you've got your regional groups. How does YPI foster global collaboration and knowledge sharing? Because you've got a lot of ground to cover there.
Josiah SooTot:Mhmm. Yeah. Great question. So, you know, as as a international organization, what we would do is we would have very regular touch points among the various YPP groups across the world. It is something that something that we do quite often to really talk about some of the challenges that one region has, for example, some of the successes that the other regions will have, and see if there are some of these best practices, knowledge can then be cross collaborate, right, to so that it would help the other regions as well.
Josiah SooTot:That's really where we would sit down and discuss issues like this, share successes. I think I find it very helpful to help other regions, especially the other regions that are new that has new YPP group, for example.
Elizabeth Corner:Yeah. I did want to ask you about the regional differences in terms of career opportunities. So where in the world are we seeing a lot of opportunity? Where are you focused in that sense?
Josiah SooTot:I think overall really as the world needs more energy and then we all establish that pipeline is really probably the safest way to transport energy and then most probably most cost effective as well. Right? Throughout the world, we really see opportunity arises and then Korea after it arises. And then, obviously, the more mature countries like North America and stuff, obviously, with regulations and everything else, it tends to be a little bit more stable and then on uptrend. But I also observe countries like India and and then China and Morocco really have an uptake as well.
Josiah SooTot:Right? As the entire world continue to mature and continue to grow, which also equates to higher energy demand, which also equates to potentially more pipelines in in in the ground. So so definitely a lot of a lot of up to it there. Anyway, terms of challenges as well, right, the more mature market in the past tend to have a little bit more of a more structured regular regulations and whatnot. So in The UK and, you know, EU and and North America.
Josiah SooTot:So some of these best practices, regulations, and whatnot can be can be sometimes a challenge, right, for a up and coming kind of nation, for example.
Elizabeth Corner:So it's about navigating the different challenges wherever you are in the world. Mhmm. And then where do you see YPI in five or ten years? How do you hope to see its impact grow?
Josiah SooTot:Yeah, really a great question in five or ten years, if I have the magic ball, and I really see YPI you know, growing in a sense to really stretch our tentacles a little bit more to other parts of the world. Right? Really be a a a beacon for younger professionals to know that it is a safe space to share some stuff, to collaborate, to get to know people, and then to really see those continue to perpetuate into some accelerated growth and learnings to our other regions as well. And then really to see a better collaboration across the entire world because we really do believe that we wanna make sure that the pipeline industry is is safe and then be a an organization should be able to a part of it. I think it's essential.
Josiah SooTot:And I think a YPI have a role to play there.
Elizabeth Corner:And what's the best way to reach out to YPI or to stay up to date on what activities are happening?
Josiah SooTot:Yeah. So we're on various social media, whether it's LinkedIn. We also have our YPI website as well. Feel free to reach out to us. You can find me on LinkedIn as well.
Josiah SooTot:So feel free to connect with me. Obviously, yeah, we can there's this plenty of avenues. We'll have representative at the major conferences, whether it's PPIM, IPC, PTC. Really good opportunity to meet some of you all. Excited to meet some of you all and then really see where we can collaborate further.
Elizabeth Corner:Thank you so much, Josiah.
Josiah SooTot:You're welcome. Thanks for having me again.
Elizabeth Corner:Thanks to Josiah at YPI for sharing the unique goals of Young Pipeliners International and for giving us a taste of what it's like to be a young pipeline professional in 2025. Thanks for listening to the World Pipelines podcast. Subscribe for free wherever you get your podcasts. If you have enjoyed this episode, please rate and review and forward to a colleague or friend.
Advert:The World Pipelines podcast is brought to you by TD Williamson. Looking for the safest in line isolation solution on the market? Look no further. The Smart Plug inline isolation system from TD Williamson delivers with double independent energized seals, giving you unmatched protection on every project. From maintenance to emergency repairs, the Smart Plug offers the safety and reliability that pipeline operators depend on.
Advert:Ready to upgrade your next project? Visit tdw.red/smartplug to learn more.