FROM WELLS TO WATTS: WELCOMING A NEW WAY FORWARD, BY LARA JAECKEL
April 3, 2026
In 2021, my career path didn’t just change; it was completely redrawn. In the span of a few months, I was navigating a sudden layoff and a state-to-state move. All while welcoming a new addition to my family in the middle of a global pandemic.
Leaving Oklahoma City after ten years in oil and gas was bittersweet, especially doing so without a job offer in hand. With a newborn in my arms, a toddler in tow, and an incredibly supportive husband by my side, I made the leap. I was a mother of two moving to a place where I had zero connections, knowing only that I needed a change. That leap eventually led me to a new industry and a new passion: transitioning from geology into GIS within the utilities sector.
On paper, it was a clean break. In reality? It felt like being dropped into the deep end of a very different pool with every part of my life transitioning at once.
Finding My Compass
I’ve been a member of the Women’s Energy Network (WEN) since 2017, starting in the Oklahoma chapter, but I didn't realize its true value until my established professional world shifted. When you move states and change industries simultaneously, your technical skills are only half the battle. You need a community to help you build your network and navigate the local landscape.
WEN South Texas became my compass for San Antonio. Before I even moved, I reached out to Kristin Henningson on LinkedIn, the WEN South Texas Membership Director at the time, to chat about the local chapter and the city's energy scene. Having that resource turned a daunting relocation into a series of meaningful connections. Because we were all transitioning from virtual events back to meeting in person, having WEN was essential for re-establishing myself professionally in a face-to-face world. As a nod to Kristin’s kindness, I’ve committed to paying it forward. I will always make time for someone reaching out to learn more about WEN!
Why the WEN Community Mattered
- It provided a much-needed industry translation. Moving from the "upstream" world of rigs and reservoirs to the "downstream" landscape of utilities is a steep climb. WEN members helped me decode the San Antonio energy scene and offered solidarity through their own shared experiences. They helped me see how my geologist's eye for spatial data was exactly what the utility sector needed.
- It solved the "New Girl" factor. Walking into a networking event in a city where you know nobody is intimidating, to say the least. But walking into a WEN event felt like coming home. I didn't have to explain the value of finding new opportunities in the energy industry or justify my pivot - everyone in that room already "got it."
- It fueled my professional resilience. Layoffs take a heavy toll on your confidence, especially when you are also navigating the exhaustion of life with a newborn. Surrounding myself with women who had successfully navigated their own pivots gave me the permission to stop looking backward at what I had lost and start moving forward toward what I could build.
The Takeaway
Moving states is hard. Changing industries is harder. Going from a family of three to four is a whole other level of challenge! But doing it all at once? That requires a community.
If there is one thing I’ve learned, it’s that while the energy industry is vast, the community is tight-knit and incredibly welcoming. Organizations like WEN make a big industry feel like a supportive village. My background in geology and my current work in GIS may look different on a resume, but they are connected by the same drive to keep the world running.
To my WEN sisters who helped me navigate the leap from wells to watts: thank you for being my compass during a season of change. And to those of you currently experiencing your own pivotal life events: know that you are not alone.
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Lara Jaeckel
Immediate Past President, WEN South Texas
GIS Technician II, CPS Energy
