Top MBA in Energy: Sector Trends, Fastest Growing Niches and Top MBA Program

Energy Management as a sector has seen consistent growth even amidst the financial meltdown of 2008. The sector can be broadly categorized under Oil & Gas Management, Power Management and Energy & Clean Tech Management. If you want a detailed breakdown of Top MBA Programs and Trends in Management, download our MBA Research Guide. According to IEA Statistics, world’s 19.5% of Global Electricity generation is powered by renewable sources. The management of consumer demand, strategic planning, and transition from non-renewable to renewable resources requires management expertise that go beyond the traditional MBAs. A concentration or an MBA in Energy management will help companies find the right talent to manage this niche sector.

Who Should Opt for MBA in Energy Management?

Professionals with background in Energy sector are encouraged to pick one of the three paths: Oil & Gas Management, Power Management and Energy & Clean Tech Management. Some Business Schools integrate multiple functions into a single course, allowing students to gain expertise in cross-functional domains.

What are the job responsibilities Post-MBA in this sector?

Although the MBA in Energy Management focuses on Energy sector, MBAs should have a strong foundation in General Management, Business Development, Finance and Marketing. Some of the Roles that MBAs in this niche can take up are Director of Operations, Consultant, Business Development Management, Project Manager, Energy Trader & Pricing Analyst.  MBAs should have an understanding of budgeting small and large projects, keeping into consideration the regulatory process and govt. funding cycles. Business Development Mangers should have exposure to international cultures as a recent PwC Survey shows that 68% of companies are planning to expand to China, Central & Eastern Europe, Indian sub-continent and other Asian countries.

What is the Salary range and Compensation?

The Salaries immediately following MBA range from $48,796 - $152,532. In United States, UK and Germany, the average compensation per worker in energy-related industries is twice that of other sectors. While in Mexico and South Korea, the compensation is as high as four times the average.  

What are the Growing Sectors?

Wind and Solar Power saw double digit growth in 2010-11 with investments in developing countries reaching US$ 72 billion in 2010, slightly higher than US$ 70.5 billion invested in OECD countries.  IHS Emerging Energy Research predicts that by 2025, investments in Energy sector will reach US$ 5.6 trillion and China would lead the way with 25% of the total share.

What are the Growing niches in Energy Sector?

Industrial Energy Management Software and Services Market is one of the fastest growing niche in the Energy sector that require integration of Energy Management, IT Services and Consulting, a mix of skills that a Business School can develop in candidates from IT background. The industry is expected to reach $5.6 Billion by 2020. The primary responsibility of management professional working in this is an understanding of energy consumption patterns in industries and using technology software and services, to manage the energy inflow in an industrial process.

Here are our picks for the top 4 MBA in Energy Management

1) Rice MBA – Energy Concentration

Rice Full-time MBA at Houston offers students with the option to choose a concentration in Energy Sector. An added advantage of Rice MBA Energy concentration is its location, proximity and connections with leading Energy related companies and recruiters.

Location Advantage: Houston is known for its Energy industries, particularly, Oil & Gas, and Wind & Solar. Houston host some of the major energy companies like BP America, ConocoPhillips, Citgo Petroleum Corporation, Foster Wheeler,  Mcdermott International, Petroleum Geo-Services, Sasol , SBM Atlantia, Shell, Universalpegasus International and Worley Parsons. Rice has a close association with ExxonMobil, Chevron, and ConocoPhillips.

With the Energy Concentration, Rice MBA Students will learn about production, transportation and distribution of Energy commodities. They will also get the chance to work on three core areas: Global Economic Environment, Management in the Energy Industry, and Geopolitics.

Students are also encouraged to take action-oriented learning exercises and participation in activities related to the Energy Industry like International trips, Rice Energy Finance Summit, International Energy Simulation and an Internship in an energy related field

The required courses for Rice Full-time MBA with Energy Concentrations are Fundamentals of the Energy Industry, Geopolitics of Energy and at least one of the courses:Economic Environment of Business,  Business?Government Relations,  Managing in a Carbon Constrained World, Energy Market Organization, Competition, Carbon & Electricity Policy Entrepreneurship in the Energy Industry, Energy Derivatives, Business Strategy in the Energy Industry, International Energy Development or Economic Environment of Business.

Recruiters: Some of the major 2012 Energy Sector recruiters were CenterPoint Energy, ConocoPhillips, Constellation Energy, ExxonMobil, Quintana Minerals, Shell Oil and SK Energy.

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