Cortney

A platform to develop

Cortney began her journey at SLB Canada 15 years ago in HSE. Since then, she’s held various roles in HR before taking on her current assignment as a Compliance Analyst. Problem-solving is one of Cortney’s favorite parts of the role. Especially, “brainstorming with others to create out-of-the-box solutions that are good for both employees and business.” She enjoys working with people in SLB, and many of her managers, mentors, and coworkers have become good friends. Her experience at SLB over the years has been rewarding, challenging, and interesting.

Cortney has cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy is a group of neurological movement disorders that appears in early childhood. How it affects one person to the next varies. In Cortney’s case it primarily affects her ability to walk, and as a result, she uses crutches and a wheelchair to get around. She was attracted to SLB because of the opportunity the company offered her. She states, “People with disabilities, especially visible disabilities, face very high barriers to being hired. Often, we are seen as liabilities.” With SLB, her interview process was completely different from previous interviews and she felt “there was an ease around me, and an ease about asking about what accommodations I may need.”

Cortney’s passion for supporting people with disabilities and the ThisAbility Network Employee Resource Group (ERG) stems from her own experience as a person with a visible disability. ”SLB’s dedication to diversity and inclusion is a cornerstone of who we are. SLB has done a fantastic job at fostering an environment where I feel included and as though my disability is supported, where needed, but not a big deal,” she says. As a member of the ThisAbility Network at SLB, Cortney has enjoyed hearing other people’s lived experiences too. She has a child with ADHD, and she often worries about their future career prospects. “I have found it incredibly encouraging to see that there is a growing understanding of the benefits and strengths of what these differences bring to the table. It gives me great hope that one day they will be able to use their creativity, unique perspectives, and leadership skills in any organization, if not in SLB itself.”

Her advice to someone considering a career at SLB is, “To go for it! It is rare these days to stay with a company for so many years. I often get asked why I have stayed at SLB . . . There are two main reasons: One, is that I have always felt respected and supported by my managers and two, there is always a new challenge.”

Cortney’s message to anyone who has a disability and is apprehensive about starting a career or taking a risk would be not to be afraid to ask for what you need.