User:Mehapatel/Pinar Oya Yilmaz

Early Life
In her native country, she learned early on the value of hard work and teamwork and the means of perseverance at all costs. She learned on the importance of hard work and the project's cohesiveness from beginning to end. In her native country, Turkey, women are not seen as equal to men. Jobs were compartmentalized and gendered which limited women from taking on occupations that were dominated by the male populace, especially in the scientific field. As a single woman, she had to face many odds entering her industry in petroleum geology. As a result, she learned the art of negotiation, consulting and advocating for herself in a country and industry not used to female presence. Her secret to longevity in the industry is her ability to be coachable and open to being wrong. This attitude leads to her 40-year career in her industry, which she is celebrated for by many by acknowledging her work through awards and accolades that she earned. Her advice to her pupils is to “Never turn down an opportunity because you think you are not ready."

Education and Career
Yilmaz began her education at Kirkland/Hamilton College in 1976 and received her B.A. in Geology and her M.A. in Geology in 1978 from Bryn Mawr College. In 1981, Yilmaz attended the University of Texas at Austin and graduated with a PhD in Geological and Earth Sciences and a Doctor of Philosophy. In 1998-1999 Yilmaz was Coordinator of External Technology at Exxon Exploration Company, she was a member of the Global Studies Group in the Technical Organization at Exxon Exploration Company from 1995-1998, and a member of the Basin Analysis Divisions at Exxon Production Research Company in 1984-1995. Yilmaz has been a productive member in numerous national and international professional societies, such as:

General Society of America (GSA,President of the GSA International Division in 2004-2005)

American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)

American Geophysical Union (AGU)

Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG)

Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE)

Geological Society of London (GSL)

Houston Geological Society (HSG),

Association of Women Geologists (AWG),

Nigerian Association Petroleum Geologists (NAPE)

Association of Brazilian Petroleum Geologists (ABGP)

She then served on the National science Foundation Earthscope Science and Education Committee from 2005-2007.

Achievements
Received the 2020 International Distinguished Career Award - Coworker, Robbie Gries, states how he’s “enthralled with [Yilmaz] ability to keep her eye on the ball” when it came to her work. Yilmaz achieved working in a career in petroleum where women were scarce. In three years Yilmaz produced her PhD dissertation, thus began her career in petroleum geology. Although petroleum geology was not in Yilmaz’s aspirations, she sought out advice and ended up making a life changing decision to join an industry; influenced through advice she received. Yilmaz received recognition for her efforts, then joined the Geological Society of America. Her award recognized her efforts and contributions in Geoscience by provisions of opportunities for students, expanding GSA’s international footprint, and to encourage the interaction of industry and academia. Her award recognized her efforts for the benefit of GSA and geoscience. Yilmaz was also the leader with the global expansion of efforts of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, she was a distinguished member, as she served on numerous committees where she created and led numerous sessions and conferences worldwide. When she retired from her 40-year career with ExxonMobil, she was awarded ExxonMobil President’s Award, in recognition and respect of her contributions in the company, such as improving the relationships of ExxonMobil’s leaders with leaders from other companies and countries. Her peer Gries also commends her efforts and  states how “[she] exemplifies the difference one geologist can make in the world.”

Additional Information
She was a leader in the efforts of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists and served on numerous committees where she had countless conferences worldwide (Egypt, Brazil, China, Turkey, Bahrain, Nigeria, Spain, and Greece). As a student in Turkey Yilmaz overcame a lot of obstacles as it was socially difficult for women to work. After struggling in this situation for 3 years, Yilmaz was able to produce her PhD dissertation. She hadn’t aspired to make a career in  petroleum geology, but a company gave her an offer and so she made a life decision to join the industry. In over 40 years career, she has contributed to major oil and gas industry associations and has shared her knowledge by joining boards of many event committees.