051 - How Do You Build the Next Generation of Energy Professionals? with Kellie Estes & Jeremy Martin

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 LearnHow Texas Tech's Energy Commerce program has evolved beyond traditional landman training to cover the full energy spectrumThe admission requirements and curriculum structure that makes Energy Commerce one of the most challenging business majorsWhy work ethic and communication skills trump perfect grades in building successful energy careersHow capstone projects simulate real-world deal-making from asset acquisition through productionThe role of alumni networks and industry partnerships in student success and program developmentTime Stamps00:41 - Episode & Guest Intro02:04 - Kelly's Journey with Energy Commerce04:30 - Jeremy's Return to Lubbock08:19 - Energy Commerce Program Overview13:20 - Team Building and Capstone Projects19:28 - Alumni Involvement and Industry Relevance23:50 - Evolving Curriculum and Industry Shifts26:18 - Characteristics of Successful Students28:12 - Changes in the Program Over the Years30:02 - Preparing Students for Renewable Energy31:53 - Internship Opportunities and Expectations35:07 - Balancing Traditional and Modern Education38:38 - Maintaining High Standards and Enrollment42:27 - Embracing AI and Technological Advancements51:19 - Conclusion and Contact InformationSnippets 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 MartinKey TakeawaysProgram Structure and Standards MatterAlumni Networks Drive Industry SuccessReal-World Experience Beats Perfect GradesCommunication Skills Are Non-NegotiableEnergy Diversity Creates More Career PathsWork Ethic Trumps Natural TalentIndustry Evolution Requires Curriculum AdaptationResourcesNeed Help With A Project? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Meet With Dudley⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Need Help with Staffing? Connect with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dudley Staffing ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Streamline Your Title Process with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dudley Select Title⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch On ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Dudley Land Co. On⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Have Questions? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠More From Our GuestsKellie Estes - Director, Center for Energy Commerce, Texas Tech UniversityWebsite:⁠ https://www.ttu.edu/⁠⁠Contact Information⁠Jeremy Martin - Assistant Professor of Practice, Energy Commerce & Business EconomicsWebsite: ⁠https://www.ttu.edu/⁠⁠Contact Information⁠More from Our HostsConnect with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Brent⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on LinkedInConnect with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Khalil ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on LinkedIn