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ASHLAND
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"We look for people who can assimilate new technologies easily."
— Roger Craycraft, VP, Information Services
• IBM 3090, RS/6000s • DB2, Sybase, PL/I, C++ •
• Oil refining • Large shop •
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Ashland Inc. is an energy and chemical company. Its Ashland Petroleum division has a refining capacity of more than 300,000 barrels of oil a day. Its Ashland Chemical division is North America's largest distributor of chemicals and plastics. Its SuperAmericaGroup sells gasoline through convenience store outlets. Its Valvoline and Valvoline Instant Oil Change divisions offer motor oil and quick-lube services. Its Arch Mineral and Ashland Coal produce low-sulfur coal. Its APAC group is the country's largest construction company. Ashland is a principal producer of asphalt cements.
Founded in 1920, Ashland is a publicly-held company with 1995 revenues of $12.2 billion. Headquartered in Russell, Kentucky, the company employs 31,600 people.
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Technology
Ashland operates primarily in a DB2 and Sybase environment, in PL/I and COBOL, on its IBM 3090 and plug-compatible MVS systems. The company also has a number of RS/6000s and AS/400s, as well as between 5,000 and 10,000 PCs, using a variety of operating systems, and connected through varied networking and communications software. Programming on PCs is generally in C++ or Visual Basic. Additional applications include Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and imaging projects.
Job titles for Ashland's 500 computer professionals include Computer Analyst, Systems Analyst, Systems Engineer, Senior Systems Engineer, Project Manager, Technology Consultant, Network Engineer, and Senior Network Engineer. Computer professionals work at Ashland sites in Lexington and Ashland, Kentucky; Dublin, Ohio; Atlanta, Georgia; and Houston, Texas. Recently, staff members developed a client-server application using Visual Basic and Visual C++, with databases on an OS/2 LAN server and an interface to the mainframe host's DB2 database under CICS.
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Culture
Computer professionals work in open areas, cubicles, private or semi-private offices in a nonsmoking environment. Standard office hours are typically 8 AM to 5 PM. A 40-hour to 50-hour week is common, with no overtime pay. Office dress is typically business casual (ties with no jackets) with casual Fridays. There may be an occasional need for travel, depending on the project. There may be an occasional need for travel, depending on the project. The company offers its computer professionals challenging technical assignments in a varied hardware and software environment.
Ashland observes 10 holidays. The company offers two weeks of vacation after one year, three weeks after five years, and four weeks after ten years. The company provides a comprehensive benefits program, which includes a 401(k) plan.
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Candidates
Candidates at Ashland should have a good blend of technical and business skills with the ability to learn new technologies quickly and a solid academic background. The company does hire entry-level computer professionals and looks for candidates with above average grades who have pursued challenging programs. Recently-hired staff members have an average of one year to four years of experience.
Ashland typically hires approximately 50 computer professionals a year, finding candidates through advertisements, employment agencies, unsolicited resumes, and campus recruiting.
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Contact
Only resumes and cover letters will be accepted.
Mr. Brad Binder, Corporate Human Resources
Ashland, Inc.
1000 Ashland Drive
Russell, Kentucky 41169
(606) 329-3023
www.ashland.com
Copyright 1998. Carol L. Covin. Covin’s Southeast Computer Job Guide
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