MBA Energy Club

The Energy Club supports the academic experience and development of all students at UNC Kenan-Flagler interested in diverse aspects of the energy industry. The club works closely with the academic faculty, career management staff and other student leadership groups to organize educational events and conferences, case competitions and career treks to provide students with experiential learning and networking opportunities with industry professionals and alumni.

Please reach out to mbaenergyclub@kenan-flagler.unc.edu with questions and to get involved.

Energy Club News

Read about recent events, news and resources provided by the Energy Club.

Recent News and Events

Energy Club Houston Career Trek October 2023

UNC Kenan-Flagler MBA students from the Energy Club traveled to Houston, Texas, to engage with leaders from a diverse array of energy companies. Students interacted with experts and toured several energy companies. Read the full story here.

LanzaTech – Lunch and Learn October 2023

On October 4, 2023, the Kenan-Flagler Energy Club hosted alumnus Omar El-Sharkawy for a lunch and learn to discuss his role at LanzaTech. Omar shared about being the VP of Corporate Development and his areas of responsibility within the business. Students asked a variety of questions, and Omar explained how LanzaTech’s business model works across the world.

LanzaTech Global Inc. (Nasdaq: LNZA) is the carbon recycling company transforming waste carbon into sustainable raw materials for everyday products. Using its biorecycling technology, LanzaTech captures carbon-rich gases generated by energy-intensive industries at the source, preventing them from being emitted into the air. LanzaTech then gives that captured carbon a new life as a sustainable replacement for virgin fossil carbon in everything from household cleaners and clothing fibers to packaging and fuels.

Kellogg Energy and Sustainability Case Competition – 3rd place!, April 2022

On April 16, a group of five UNC Kenan-Flagler MBA students placed third overall in the Kellogg Northwestern Energy and Sustainability Case Competition. The team consisted of one second-year and four first-year MBA students: John MacAree, Rachel Michos, Parker Bly, Chris Goodman and Fawzi Ali. Congratulations to the UNC Energy team! Click here to read more about the case and the team’s success.

NAPE/TCU Energy Case Competition – 3rd place!, February 2022

On Feb. 9, a group of UNC Kenan-Flagler students placed third in the Texas Christian University Neeley School of Business’s Energy Case Competition. The team consisted of three second-year MBAs and one first-year MBA: Josh Haswell, John MacAree, Jon Nichols, and Rachel Michos.  Congratulations to the UNC Energy team!
Click here to read more about the case and the team’s success.

Women’s Energy Network Panel, December 2021

The Energy Club and Net Impact Club hosted a panel and networking reception featuring the Women’s Energy Network. “The Women’s Energy Network (WEN) is an international organization of professionals who work across the energy value chain [whose] mission is to provide networking opportunities and foster the career and leadership development of women who work in the energy industries.” Panelists included women leaders in energy that provided insight into their careers and the energy sector in North Carolina. They discussed their paths to get to their current positions, some of the hurdles they faced and trends in their respective energy markets. Club members learned about current industry trends and solutions while expanding their professional networks at a reception after the panel.

Nuclear Energy and Climate Strategies Conference, November 2021

The UNC Kenan-Flagler Energy Center held a Nuclear and Climate Strategy Conference in November. CEOs, executives, scientists, and policymakers from leading utilities, start-ups, NGOs, think tanks and government agencies gathered in the Rizzo Center to discuss the role, opportunities, and challenges facing new nuclear energy in the energy transition. The Conference once again demonstrated the Energy Center’s role in thought leadership and its ability to bring together a variety of key stakeholders to discuss the energy sector’s most pressing issues.

Energy Club Career Trek, October 2021

The Energy Club’s fall career trek was organized by club leadership. Members were able to visit ExxonMobil, Phillips 66 and Calpine’s campuses in Houston. Energy Cub members were given tours at the individual locations, met leadership within the Leadership development teams, and networked with MBAs currently in the programs. The Energy club also held a happy hour with local UNC Kenan-Flagler alumni, bringing in a few other companies that they were unable to visit due to Covid restrictions.

energy club membera at exxonmobil campus in houston, texas

100 Women: How Women Lead in Energy, October 2021

Energy Club members were invited to attend this energy-focused event hosted by the 100 Women movement. The panel was moderated by Energy Center Advisory Board member Tina Jeffress. 100 Women is a women-led movement focused on encouraging and empowering future women business leaders. At its core, 100 Women seeks to grow the number of women pursuing an MBA and support their journey, from mentoring prospective UNC Kenan-Flagler MBA students to providing guidance and advice throughout their career after graduation. A recording of the 100 Women event can be viewed here.

Energy students win UCLA Challenges in Energy Case Competition, February 2021

On Feb. 25, a group of UNC Kenan-Flagler students placed first in the UCLA Challenges in Energy Case Competition for a second straight year. The team consisted of one second-year MBA and four first-year MBAs: Anthony Miner, Josh Haswell, John MacAree, Eric Schwartz, and Rose Telus. 

The case, sponsored by Southern California Edison, prompted students to develop a business plan for a ventures division of an incumbent energy player to create a new business line that is profitable and addresses social and environmental justice, focusing on the triple bottom line. Unlike years past the team was unable to travel to Los Angeles, so they presented via Zoom throughout the day-long competition. During round one, UNC Kenan-Flagler’s team competed against 10 other teams, representing the top energy MBA programs throughout the U.S. At lunch, they were selected alongside teams from the University of Virginia Darden Business School, Duke Fuqua Business School, and Dartmouth Tuck School of Business to move to the finals. However, before the final round, the team was given a “twist” in the case and had only a few hours to adjust their presentation and incorporate this new information.

Energy 101 Series

Energy 101 Fall Series

The Energy Club hosts the Energy 101 series each fall to educate students on energy-related topics. This event educates first-year students on important energy matters so that they are ready for treks, case competitions and other interactions with employers. The Energy Club starts the year with presentations on electricity, renewables, oil, and gas market fundamentals and the wide variety of career options within the energy industry.

Energy Center Director Stephen Arbogast also presents his view of the energy job market and the resources that he and Associate Director Dan Domeracki can provide to assist in each student’s job search.

Energy 101: Speaker Series

The Energy 101 Speaker Series augments the program by inviting professionals in energy markets to present to club members. As part of the Speaker Series, representatives from multiple companies discuss the energy market and their specific roles. The Energy 101 Speaker Series is used to provide timely and relevant energy information to students prior to entering the workforce.

Energy 101 speakers have included Bank of America, SmartWires, Hitachi ABB Power Grids, ExxonMobil, ExxonMobil Low Carbon, 8 Rivers Capital, Strata Solar, Baker Hughes, BP, Morgan Stanley, Kinder Morgan, Marathon, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Oceaneering, Leyline Renewable Capital and more.

Careers and Networking

The Energy Club hosts career labs throughout the fall, which provide details on writing cover letters, networking with alumni, resume building, recruiting, and preparing for behavioral and case interviews. The Club hosts a second-year intern panel, where second-year students discuss their internships and first-years can ask questions.

Energy Club members are given opportunities to have “coffee chats” with alumni and with second-year energy students. The Energy Club also hosts an alumni mock interview night, where first-year students are paired with alumni working in the energy industry to practice for behavioral interviews.

Energy Club members get frequent updates on open positions in the energy sector and internship opportunities that are available. In addition, the Energy Club hosts company presentations from industry leaders throughout the year.