As we start the new school year, the Energy Coalition (EC) board welcomes a new students into key board positions. Made up of 18 students, the board is in charge of planning events and connecting with key energy leaders. Christian Beduya, a finance and economics student, is the EC’s third chair since the student-run organization was founded.

Beduya first learned of the organization in spring 2017, when he was involved in the American Marketing Association organization through his then mentor, who encouraged him to join the EC. He started as webmaster and eventually became part of the board as vice chair of marketing. He was named chair in May 2018.

The EC is the largest student organization on the University of Houston campus, with over 8,000 students working across six colleges and over 30 majors. Beduya takes seriously his responsibility to learn the ropes of the position, foster collaboration and especially continue the member expansion.

“I’d like to be the best chair that's ever run the organization. I want to make sure that I continue the EC’s growth to gain national exposure,” Beduya said.

He places special emphasis on growing exposure for the EC outside the University by making connections and collaborating with energy sector leaders and companies. Beduya said one of his main goals is to ensure UH’s place as one of the top universities in the world for energy-related fields.

“I want industry leaders to see the Energy Coalition first when they look at UH,” Beduya said.

He said the best way to focus on this goal is to keep a stable internal organization, encouraging communication between colleges, member organizations, UH Energy and the board to plan and execute events.

“For me, the number one thing is understanding people. You can have all the technical skills in the world, but if you can’t understand people, then I don’t know how you can relay your message to your team,” Beduya said.

Beduya said his time in the EC has put him on a path to professional growth with the mentorship and dvice of members of Energy Advisory Board and Chief Energy Officer Ramanan Krishnamoorti, Managing Director Suryanarayanan Radhakrishnan, and the support of family and friends.

“In becoming chair, I realized I don’t represent just the Energy Coalition or a single organization, I represent the school and UH Energy. They’re counting on me to represent them to energy executives and industry leaders,” Beduya said.

He said he encourages students to join the EC to expand their professional skills, network with high level executives, and especially encourages them to be involved in other student organizations beyond those in their major.

“You’ve got to broaden your spectrum because the energy industry is about understanding the business from top to bottom. The Energy Coalition allows you to explore and understand what it takes to be successful in the energy industry,” Beduya said.