Rice University, masters in Energy Economics

Hi all,

I am starting this new thread to get further feed back/ opinions on the masters in Energy economics at Rice. Would you please comment with any pros or cons that come to mind. Do you think that its possible to get the degree there and get a job in a different state if I chose to do so? PE or IB of energy possible? also, what sorts of positions do people end up at with such degree?

thanks so much!

15 Comments
 

thanks for the response. My background (undergrad( is in applied math from a non-target. goal is to end up in Investment banking or PE. I understand that this degree is not a necessity; but i'm using it as a goal to get a solid job....

 

Gunning for the energy industry within the next 2 years seems a bit... crazy to me.

"It is better to have a friendship based on business, than a business based on friendship." - Rockefeller. "Live fast, die hard. Leave a good looking body." - Navy SEAL
 

Most people when they say energy, they mean oil/gas. Rice specifically is very Houston centric which is very oil/gas centric and their curriculum lends itself to the oil/gas side of energy. If you pair it with renewables great choice, however, most people want energy for the money, and money is strongly weighted to O&G. But you're right, if the curriculum is good renewables is a good opportunity.

"It is better to have a friendship based on business, than a business based on friendship." - Rockefeller. "Live fast, die hard. Leave a good looking body." - Navy SEAL
 
Best Response

Yea, I mean its 2015 and the big push has been renewables of late so I assumed when it said energy instead of oil economics that it would include renewables as well. (I actually looked and the curriculum is all energy and doesn't say anything oil specific) I also forgot that Rice is in Houston, TX.

As a side note, aren't investment banks buying gigantic oil tankers worth of oil while it is cheap betting that the price will go up? http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2015/01/11/crazy-way-oil-traders-… . I thought this article came from a more reputable source. Anyways, even if it is oil specific I don't know that energy is a bust for IB though it would be a bust for actually getting into the industry.

 

Well by assumption based on what you said I assume you're interested in trading / operations in physical / financial energy markets? That being said, where else would you plan on going besides Houston, at least within the United States that is? Houston is the domestic hub so unless you are thinking about a city in another country I'd say you'll be spending your time here.

Job wise, as I mentioned above, anything in energy trading / operations / analysis / etc. Probably more on analysis and operations side in your case, rare to see traders who went to graduate school. I'm sure there's more out there to do but if I was coming out of that program that's where I would be looking.

 

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