From Petroleum Engineer to Energy Leader: How My MBA at UoPeople Helped Me Rebuild My Career in the U.S.

I grew up in Maracaibo, Venezuela, raised by a high school teacher and a community doctor. From them, I learned early that education is more than a personal achievement — it is a responsibility to serve others.

As a child, I dreamed of becoming an engineer. An aunt who was a civil engineer inspired me to believe that women belong in technical fields. She sparked my love for mathematics and problem-solving, and that influence shaped my future.

In 2002, I earned my degree in Petroleum Engineering and began working in the oil industry. I started as a field engineer, monitoring producing wells, and later specialized in optimizing water injection projects to improve oil recovery. My career was built on technical precision, analytical thinking, and accountability.

When Integrity Comes at a Cost

At one point in my career, I faced institutional corruption. When I refused to participate in practices that violated my professional principles, I experienced pressure and threats that put my safety — and my family’s safety — at risk.

Leaving my home country was one of the hardest decisions of my life. But I chose integrity over comfort and immigrated to the United States in search of stability and the opportunity to work ethically.

Starting over in a new country meant navigating a different language, culture, and professional system. I took English classes at my local library, determined to rebuild.

Why I Chose to Earn an MBA at UoPeople

A teacher of mine mentioned University of the People to me. I researched it and saw an opportunity: an accredited, affordable, fully online MBA that would allow me to study while working and caring for my family.

I enrolled in November 2022 and graduated in June 2024.

Earning an MBA at UoPeople was both demanding and transformative. The collaborative model and global classroom exposed me to diverse perspectives and strengthened my strategic thinking.

Most importantly, the program helped me bridge my technical engineering background with business leadership. I gained deeper insights into organizational strategy, financial decision-making, and global market dynamics — skills that are critical in the energy sector.

Leveraging My MBA to Reenter the Energy Industry

My MBA degree became a turning point in my life. It allowed me to move beyond temporary survival jobs and reenter the energy field with renewed credibility and confidence.

Today, I work in industrial safety, where I design relief valve systems for gas processing plants to ensure operational safety and regulatory compliance. In this role, I combine engineering analysis with risk management and regulatory compliance. My MBA strengthened my ability to make strategic decisions and understand the broader business impact of technical work.

Rebuilding my career in a new country has been one of my proudest achievements so far.

Balancing Leadership, Motherhood, and Ambition

I am a single mother to a 15-year-old son with nonverbal autism — a responsibility that has strengthened my resilience, discipline, and sense of purpose. Motherhood shaped my ability to lead with empathy, clarity, and composure, even in the most demanding circumstances.

Balancing motherhood, full-time work, and graduate studies required meticulous organization and unwavering commitment. During my MBA, I also earned a Project Management certification, gaining practical tools to plan, prioritize, and execute effectively under pressure. UoPeople’s flexible model allowed me to structure my studies around my family’s needs and professional responsibilities without compromising academic rigor.

That season of my life revealed something powerful: progress is possible, even under pressure. Each milestone became proof that meaningful goals are achieved through consistent effort, disciplined choices, and the courage to keep moving forward — no matter the weight you carry.

Looking Ahead

I plan to continue growing professionally by pursuing postgraduate studies in Gas Engineering and obtaining my Project Management license. My long-term goal is to take on greater leadership roles in energy projects and contribute at a strategic level.

To current and future students, I offer this advice: Do not give up when the journey feels overwhelming. Education requires sacrifice, but it creates opportunities that once seemed out of reach. Consistency matters more than perfection.

My path has taken me across countries and industries, but one principle has remained constant — integrity. With resilience, education, and faith in your abilities, it is possible to start over and build something even stronger than before.

About the Author

Katheryn M. is a Petroleum Engineer and MBA graduate of University of the People, currently working in industrial safety within the energy sector in the United States. Originally from Venezuela, she rebuilt her career after immigrating, combining her technical engineering background with strategic business leadership skills gained through her MBA.

A dedicated professional and single mother, she is passionate about ethical leadership, continuous learning, and empowering women in STEM and business. She plans to pursue further specialization in Gas Engineering and Project Management as she continues advancing in the energy industry.