Texas Tech Energy Commerce faculty Kellie Estes and Jeremy Martin join us for an in-depth look at how one of the industry's premier energy education programs prepares students for careers spanning oil & gas, renewables, and commercial energy markets. From their rigorous capstone projects to alumni networks that span decades, discover what makes Tech graduates stand out and how the program has evolved to meet today's diverse energy landscape.
What You’ll Learn
- How Texas Tech's Energy Commerce program has evolved beyond traditional landman training to cover the full energy spectrum
- The admission requirements and curriculum structure that makes Energy Commerce one of the most challenging business majors
- Why work ethic and communication skills trump perfect grades in building successful energy careers
- How capstone projects simulate real-world deal-making from asset acquisition through production
- The role of alumni networks and industry partnerships in student success and program development
Time Stamps
- 00:41 - Episode & Guest Intro
- 02:04 - Kelly's Journey with Energy Commerce
- 04:30 - Jeremy's Return to Lubbock
- 08:19 - Energy Commerce Program Overview
- 13:20 - Team Building and Capstone Projects
- 19:28 - Alumni Involvement and Industry Relevance
- 23:50 - Evolving Curriculum and Industry Shifts
- 26:18 - Characteristics of Successful Students
- 28:12 - Changes in the Program Over the Years
- 30:02 - Preparing Students for Renewable Energy
- 31:53 - Internship Opportunities and Expectations
- 35:07 - Balancing Traditional and Modern Education
- 38:38 - Maintaining High Standards and Enrollment
- 42:27 - Embracing AI and Technological Advancements
- 51:19 - Conclusion and Contact Information
Snippets from the Episode
- "We give them a 12 to 18 month head start, and after that it's up to them to keep learning, to keep progressing, but we give them that foundation."— Kellie Estes
- "Work ethic is always the top for me. We've had many students come through here that have been C students and gone on to have a great career because they think outside the box."— Jeremy Martin
- "There's so many different opportunities in this industry. There's a place for everyone."— Kellie Estes
- "AI is only as good as the person being able to use it or disseminate the information."— Jeremy Martin
- "Land work is land work. You gotta have it, whether it's oil and gas, a solar farm, a wind farm, whatever. The basics that we teach them, that's going to translate over into either side of it."— Jeremy Martin
Key Takeaways
- Program Structure and Standards Matter
- Alumni Networks Drive Industry Success
- Real-World Experience Beats Perfect Grades
- Communication Skills Are Non-Negotiable
- Energy Diversity Creates More Career Paths
- Work Ethic Trumps Natural Talent
- Industry Evolution Requires Curriculum Adaptation
Resources
More From Our Guests
Kellie Estes - Director, Center for Energy Commerce, Texas Tech University
Jeremy Martin - Assistant Professor of Practice, Energy Commerce & Business Economics
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