Student Spotlight -- Azhar Zhanazarova

Interviewed by Lauren Kahn

Senior public relations student Azhar Zhanazarova says being from Kazakhstan led her to pursue a career in public relations in the oil industry.

How long did you live in Kazakhstan?

I was born in Almaty, Kazakhstan, and lived there until I was thirteen years old. So I speak both English and Russian fluently.

What makes Kazakhstan a good place for PR in the oil industry?

Kazakhstan is one of the most oil-rich countries in the world. Many U.S. oil and gas companies have extensive operations there, and they need PR practitioners that are familiar with the culture, language and business practices.

What sparked your interest in pursuing oil PR?

I have always wanted to work in the oil field because that is the one industry that I know most about. Also, working for an oil and gas company based in either Kazakhstan or Russia would allow me to be closer to my family.

Is there a particular company you admire or would like to work for? Why?

I would like to work for Chevron because it has a huge presence in the region. But I would be happy to work for any other oil company, too (except for maybe BP).

It seems like a high-stress environment to work in. Do you typically work better in those conditions?

I definitely perform much better in high-stress environments because only then can I truly focus on what is most important, which sharpens my reasoning and skills. But it is also important to keep in mind that oil PR is not just crisis management as it is happening. A lot of what I will have to do is preparing in advance for when crisis strikes, which is also a very challenging task.