Everyone thinks my job is dirty and dangerous but I love it – I earn more than £100,000 a year & get to travel the world
A WOMAN who works on an oil rig has revealed how the hard work is “worth it” as she rakes in the cash and travels the world.
Shams Albayati works as an engineer on oil rigs and she is tasked with fixing and maintaining “huge equipment”.
Although some think the job is dangerous and dirty so far it’s meant she’s jet-setted around the world – sharing footage from her travels on TikTok.
“I’ve been to Mexico, I’ve been to Norway, I’ve been to Malta, I’ve been to Kuwait. I’ve been to Lebanon, I’ve been to UAE,” she told The Sun.
The 27-year-old is truly living it up as while she’s a well seasoned traveller she also earns more than £100,000 per year.
Although Shams loves her job she does admit that it’s a “challenge” and is not for everyone as it can be “mentally draining.”
“It’s really a talent. You really need to have the right mindset otherwise you won’t make it in the field,” she said.
Not only does Shams have to maintain “huge million pound equipment” but she also has to deal with the added challenge of being a woman in the industry.
She explained that when she’s leading a team onboard people often assume she’s there to do the safety and are “taken aback” when they realise she’s in charge.
The fearless young woman had to study hard to bag the dream job.
She graduated from University with a degree in petroleum engineering and has “been in the field ever since.”
Although there are many perks to working on a rig – including incredible food and facilities – its not all glamorous and Shams said: “I get covered in dirt a lot”.
She once worked on a particularly luxurious rig in Norway, “They had everything, all types of snack and super healthy options,” she said.
“They had a salad bar and every day they would cook something new. We would have salmon one day and steak the next.
“They even had a five-star restaurant chef.”
There was an indoor pool, gym and weights room for workers to stay in shape during their time at sea.
The rig also boasted a gaming room with a race car simulator and a music room .
Massage chairs were also available for staff to relax and spend some much needed downtime.
There was even a sunbed for the crew to top up their tan.
Shams’ field of work is considered one the more dangerous career options, but she insists the crew “live by safety”.
“It’s always good to be on the lookout in case something falls as it could hit your hard hat,” she said.
She added that the weather is also constantly monitored and the crew will evacuate if a large storm is brewing.
But, sometimes, it will be too late and the bad weather will hit before the crew can leave.
Shams said if this happens they batten down the hatches and wait inside the rig for it to pass.
She said sometimes in bad weather “you get a little bit motion sick because its very harsh, the ship is moving.”