I'm a Process Operator/Firefighter at a Southern California oil refinery. I started my 27 years with the company as a Merchant Marine working on oil tankers. My career has been a love/hate type thing. At present, I'm 6 yrs from retirement, and can't wait to retire. In the grand scheme of things though, I feel VERY fortunate to have had the career that I have had. Especially as a High School drop out (GED) and no college. In my current position while I'm on shift I run one of the largest Process Units in our refinery, the Delayed Coking unit. It is challenging on a daily basis for sure! Always things to learn, new systems, processes, personel, etc.