As part of Energy Industry Week, 23 Rice Business MBA students set out on a daylong trek across Houston to learn more about the energy sector. Along the way, they connected with alumni, engaged in candid conversations with industry leaders, and experienced firsthand how energy companies are navigating both today’s demands and tomorrow’s possibilities.
The day kicked off at Phillips 66, where students gained an inside look at career pathways and innovation across the company.
Parul Chaube, ’27 shared, “Engaging with industry leaders and getting a firsthand look at the evolving energy landscape was an insightful experience. Seeing the different ways companies are committing to innovation across the refining, midstream, low carbon, and renewable markets, enabled our MBA cohort to gain a better understanding of how to integrate our customer-oriented and operational excellence mindset to the energy sector!”
The group later visited NRG’s SMART House and saw the ways that technology and sustainability come together in the energy transition. Reflecting on the day, Hayder Hilo, ’27, “The Energy Trek was such a unique experience…What stood out to me was seeing both the traditional side of energy and the innovative tech that’s shaping its future. It gave me a much deeper appreciation of how all these pieces connect, and it definitely left me excited about the opportunities ahead in the energy space.”
Beyond company visits, the trek created space for students to:
- Hear diverse career stories from Rice alumni making an impact across the energy sector
- Gain perspectives on the evolving energy landscape, from traditional oil & gas to innovation in renewables and technology
- Build valuable connections through engaging conversations and networking
By the time the group returned to campus, the trek had done more than showcase companies; it sparked ideas, opened doors, and highlighted the many ways Rice MBAs can shape the future of energy.
