Rice Business MBA students spent a full day engaging with the evolving clean tech and energy landscape during a recent Career Trek across Houston and gained exposure to organizations shaping the future of sustainability from multiple angles.
The trek began at ENGIE, where students explored how a global energy leader is navigating large-scale operations across trading, battery storage, and energy markets. Through conversations with professionals across the business, students gained a deeper understanding of how established organizations are adapting to meet the demands of a changing energy environment.
From there, the group visited Coflux Purification, a Rice-founded startup focused on water purification and addressing PFAS challenges. This visit offered a different perspective and highlighted how early-stage ventures are translating innovative ideas into real-world solutions with meaningful environmental impact.
The afternoon continued at the Ion, where students heard from teams at Greenflash and CES Renewables. Students gained insight into emerging opportunities across the clean tech ecosystem, reinforcing how diverse the energy transition has become, spanning infrastructure, technology, and new business models.
Across each stop, a common theme emerged: the path from idea to implementation in clean tech is both complex and collaborative. As Nina Briones (Class of 2026) shared, the experience offered “a clear view of how clean tech solutions move from idea to impact,” while Awarun Adekunle (Class of 2027) reflected, “I was exposed to the business models and structures of renewables that I only knew in theory.”
For many, the experience also expanded their understanding of potential career paths. “Before joining, I didn’t know much about the clean tech industry,” Phuong Le (Class of 2027) noted. “After the trek, I had the opportunity to learn about different roles, responsibilities, and industry trends across companies at various stages.”
Career treks like this one continue to connect classroom learning with real-world application, helping students better understand how industries are evolving while building relationships with the professionals driving that change. Through these experiences, Rice Business students gain not only insight but also the perspective and confidence to engage with complex, fast-moving sectors like clean tech.
If you’re interested in recruiting top MBA talent for your organization, hosting a trek, or otherwise engaging with the Career Development Office, please contact Tyler L. Hough, Director of Employer Engagement.
