Redefining Career Paths: Svetlana Klockova, From Finance to Offshore Surveying

At Women Offshore, we love to highlight individuals who challenge industry norms and pursue their own unique path to success. One such inspiring woman is Svetlana Klockova an Offshore Surveyor and Director of The Hydrographic Society UK & Ireland, who is also one of our passionate Women Offshore Ambassadors.

Svetlana Klockova’s route into the offshore industry is anything but traditional, and that’s what makes her story so compelling.

“I hold a Law and Business degree and worked in finance and auditing for four years,” she shares. “But I didn’t enjoy the 9-to-5 lifestyle. I wanted more time to travel and be with family in Latvia.”

The spark came from an unlikely source; her neighbors introduced her to the world of hydrography. Inspired, Svetlana quit her job, pursued an MSc in Hydrography at Plymouth University, and never looked back.

Now, as an Offshore Surveyor/Hydrographer, Svetlana’s work varies from project to project, subsea positioning, inspections, and one of her favorite tasks: seabed mapping.

More than technical challenges, it’s mentoring that brings her the greatest sense of pride: “Mentoring makes me feel fulfilled. It brings me joy to help guide students or people looking to join the industry.”

Her passion extends to everyone she meets offshore, regardless of gender, offering guidance to those without connections or role models in the field.

The offshore lifestyle brings unique challenges, not all of them technical. For Svetlana, the social dynamic can be just as complex.

“Meeting new people is a joy, but also one of the biggest challenges,” she explains. “It’s impossible to get along with everyone, but I stay professional and distance myself from conflict when needed.”

Her resilience is fueled by the people, places, and projects that make offshore life vibrant: “I stay resilient because I love what I do. I don’t want negative events to define my career path.”

As an ambassador for Women Offshore, Svetlana is a vocal advocate for increasing representation, visibility, and support for women in the industry.

“We need to see women succeeding offshore to inspire others. And we need to support them when they fail.”

Her mission is clear: to make the offshore sector a more inclusive and empowering place for everyone. She uses her platform to speak openly about challenges and remind others that it’s okay to struggle sometimes.

In April, Svetlana took on a new challenge: public speaking at Ocean Business, where she shared career advice for newcomers. Despite being outside her comfort zone, it was an exciting step in her advocacy journey.

When asked what she wishes she’d known earlier in her career, her answer was clear and candid: “That apparently gender makes a difference when it comes to the ability to perform a job.”

Svetlana’s advice to aspiring offshore professionals is simple, but powerful: “Do it. If you have questions, reach out. Don’t doubt yourself if this is what you want.”

Her message is one of authenticity, courage, and community, the very values Women Offshore champions every day.

We’re honored to share Svetlana’s story and proud to have her among our ambassadors. Her commitment to supporting others and driving meaningful change in the industry exemplifies what it means to be part of the Women Offshore movement.