Balancing training for Team GB with a job in the oil and gas industry.

Motivated by a strong sense of personal development, current Team GB athlete Zoey Clark (26), manages to balance her day job as a graduate engineer, alongside her intense training routine and competitions. After three years as a full-time athlete, Zoey wanted a new challenge and decided to join Wood Plc in Aberdeen, enabling her to continue her passion as an athlete, while also being part of the exciting journey to net zero.  

When I was growing up, I was always very interested in maths and sciences. So, when I left school, I decided to do a degree in Chemical Engineering at university. At school I had been heavily involved in athletics and begun competing in tournaments. I continued training and taking part in competitions throughout university and, after graduating, decided to pursue my athletics full-time.

As a professional athlete I represented Scotland in two Commonwealth Games, in Glasgow and Queensland, and competed for Great Britain in world championships throughout Europe and the Middle East. A personal highlight was in 2017 when I won Silver in the 4x4 relay at the London World Championships. I also won Silver in the 2019 European Athletics Indoor Championships in Glasgow and in the 2021 European Athletics Indoor Championships in Torun.

However, after a couple of years as a full-time athlete, I found that although I really enjoyed the physical challenge of sport, I missed the mental challenges that I had experienced when completing my degree. I really wanted to get that part of my life back again – without having to give up on my athletics.

Being based in Aberdeen for training, I was fortunate to secure a job in the oil and gas industry as a graduate engineer with Wood. I’m still new to the industry so have lots to learn, but I’ve already been amazed at the number of opportunities available and the variety of jobs.

Working from home over the last year has definitely made it easier for me to balance work with my athletics. My typical workday is 8am-4pm, and then I’m straight out and onto the running track for training. During lockdown I also converted my garage into a gym with a full set of Olympic weights, which means I can do my conditioning sessions at home – a real time saver!

My team at Wood have been incredibly flexible, allowing me to continue competing in competitions across the UK. If I need to be away for several days, I simply take my laptop with me, completing work around my training and events. I’m incredibly grateful to be able to progress both my career in the industry and my development as an athlete.

I am really positive about the future of the industry. The changes needed to achieve net zero will come from within the industry – with new technologies, skills and expertise that will drive innovation and progress. The industry will be at the heart of the energy transition over the next 30 years and I am really excited to be part of that journey.