University of Houston prepares diverse students for evolving energy sector careers

The University of Houston is positioning itself as a key player in preparing students for careers in the energy sector. With its interdisciplinary initiative, UH Energy, the university provides resources and expertise that leverage Houston's central role in the global energy economy. This initiative brings together voices from industry and academia to develop energy-driven solutions and prepare students from diverse fields for potential careers in energy.

Stephen Greenlee, who spent nearly four decades with ExxonMobil before joining UH's Energy Advisory Board, was initially hesitant about joining due to past experiences with other university boards focused mainly on decarbonization. However, he found UH’s approach to be more inclusive and globally oriented. "The Energy Advisory Board would open up these resources in the various companies for the University to go in and get real, tangible, collaborative advice," Greenlee says. "I was like, 'Wow. This is the real deal.'"

In Texas, where energy is a major industry employing nearly a million people, UH offers opportunities across various educational backgrounds due to the industry's complexity. Elizabeth Killinger, another board member and an executive at NRG Home and Reliant, did not initially plan for a career in energy but found her way into it through consulting roles after graduating from UH.

Killinger emphasizes the importance of all company functions: "Through that journey, I realized every single function in a company is important, and energy fuels so much of it." She highlights how student organizations provide experiences that introduce students to different aspects of the field.

UH’s initiatives ensure exposure to energy-related topics even for students not originally pursuing such careers. The university runs programs like “Truth in Energy,” sponsored by ConocoPhillips, where business students create petroleum-free alternatives to consumer products while considering financial and environmental implications.

Jamie Belinne from UH's C.T. Bauer College of Business notes that these exercises challenge assumptions about consumer economies: "The goal of higher education is to get people to think critically about problems."

UH President Renu Khator established the Energy Advisory Board 15 years ago to align academic programs with industry needs. The board provides strategic guidance across various areas including alternative energy and sustainability.

Margaret Kidd from UH’s Cullen College of Engineering praises this cross-disciplinary effort: "They’re truly working across the entire ecosystem." Competitions like those focusing on plastics engage students from multiple disciplines.

These efforts aim to equip students with skills needed for innovative solutions within corporate or startup environments. After benefiting from industry insights during their studies at UH, graduates are prepared for roles that value creativity alongside profitability.