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How I Leveraged My MBA Internship To Get Ahead As A Woman In Business

Women are typically underrepresented in business. But rather than let that hold her back, Morgan McCoy leveraged her MBA internship to launch her dream role

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Fri Jul 14 2023

BusinessBecause
Since studying her undergrad degree in chemical engineering, Morgan McCoy has been on a path toward a career in the energy industry. 

However, having spent most of her career in technical roles, in 2021 she decided to build her business and management skills and progress down a different path. 

Working in energy, a typically male-dominated field, meant Morgan was often one of the only women around the table. So, when she embarked on her MBA degree, she set out to make sure she leveraged all the opportunities she could to get ahead. 

She has now turned her MBA internship with US multinational energy company, Phillips66, into a full-time role and is shooting for leadership.  


Networking with other women in business

For women in business, it’s invaluable to be surrounded by a strong female network of colleagues and role models. 

Recognizing this, Morgan became president of the Graduate Women in Business Association during her MBA at the University of Oklahoma (OU) Price College of Business

“We organized lots of social events with other women in business who have made strong careers for themselves as well as virtual panels to hear insights and advice on how to get ahead,” she says. 

During these networking sessions, female MBAs spoke openly about issues affecting women in the workplace such as professional fashion and how to get your voice heard in a male-dominated room, Morgan adds.

OU’s Price College of Business also organized recruitment fairs for MBA students to hear more about different career paths. 

“Hearing from industry professionals showed me that career paths are not a straight line but a winding road,” she says. 

These experiences helped prepare Morgan for her career in the energy industry. When starting her internship with Phillips66, again she made an effort to seek out female role models.

“My internship experience was extremely welcoming. It was reassuring to hear from female professionals about what it was like to work there—what are the challenges? What had their career progression been like?” she says. 


Learning the skills to turn an MBA internship into a full-time role 

Before joining the MBA program, Morgan’s professional experience in the energy industry was concentrated in technical roles. Studying for the MBA was a way to open doors to a wider range of career opportunities. 

“I was looking for something technically skilled but with much more of a business mindset,” she says.  620cec8ee0a98b08d19e9fb3cc6663287676e99f.jpeg

During her internship with Phillips66, Morgan worked with the marketing team. Her project focused on pricing premium fuel in the Chicago market. She worked closely with a mentor and then created a presentation showcasing her solution to pitch to managers. 

“My project worked out really well. I learned so much about logistics and the value chain of pricing fuel and got actionable feedback to help me progress,” she says. 

Throughout her MBA internship, Morgan made sure to leave her mark and show she was an asset to the team at Phillips66. 

“I really drew on the soft skills I was molding during the OU MBA program—I got to know people on a personal level, and they got to see what I was capable of and my work ethic,” says Morgan. 

Phillips66 offered Morgan a full-time role before she graduated from the OU MBA program. 

“Knowing I had the offer allowed me to take a breather on the stress of finding a new job and really soak in the material of classes and think more specifically how I could apply it to my new role,” she says.  


Working for a company that fosters career progression

Women in business often face barriers to leadership positions. In the US, just 35% of top management positions are held by women. In the energy industry, the figure is even lower at 20%. 

For those striving to climb to the top of the career ladder, finding a company that offers career progression and values diversity is key. 

Throughout the first year of the OU MBA program, students take a Professional Development class that prepares them for the recruitment process, from building a resume to selling themselves in interviews. 

This class helped Morgan understand the values she was looking for in a company and focus her efforts on landing her dream role. She networked with OU alumni and utilized the career services to make valuable connections with her target companies. 

Morgan was drawn to Phillips66 because of the culture and ability to move around within the company. In the first 14 weeks of her full-time role, she took part in a rigorous training program known as Katalyst. She learned about all the different areas of the business, gaining a bigger picture before entering a specific role. 

“It’s very fast-paced and you’re learning a lot. Each week different subject matter experts taught us about different topics in the industry such as marine vessels to crude oil,” says Morgan. 

Now, she is working through an early careers program where she’ll rotate through three different roles. 

“There’s so much ability to move around within the company and create stepping-stones to the career you want. Eventually, I want to take on a leadership role and I think it’s been so valuable to see lots of different angles of the company to be a good leader,” she says. 

While Morgan recognizes that the energy industry has a long way to go to achieving gender diversity, she is confident she will reach a senior position and play a part in making the difference she wants to see. 

“The OU MBA program really gave me confidence in myself and in my skill. It proved to me that I can present in front of a boardroom, I can negotiate my salary, and I can advocate for myself and speak up,” she says. 

Student Reviews

University of Oklahoma - Price College of Business

Percy

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28/11/2023

On Campus

an Unregrettable choice of university

The University of Oklahoma has been a great experience for me. The professors are all very knowledgeable and willing to help where needed. The campus is also very beautiful and there are plenty of activities going on all the time. The student body is also really friendly and I have made a lot of new friends here. Overall, I'm really glad I chose OU and would recommend it to anyone looking for a great college experience.

Student

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9/11/2022

On Campus

It is a life changing experience for me.

I am enrolled in a Ph.D. program that is research-intensive. I get continuous guidance from my supervisors that help me to conduct my research skillfully. I will gladly recommend students to study here.

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20/10/2022

Online

Good institution

Good institution for in class courses. Online classes are pretty hard because the instructors are most of the time not available. The student has to do everything on their own without any assistance.

Student

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11/06/2022

Blended

Best school ever

This has been the best experience. of my life! Freshman year completely changed my life in so many ways! Through club’s organizations and social events the university of Oklahoma became my home. I loved being there

Student

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25/04/2019

Amazing Univeristy

OU is an amazing university. Love the athletic department so much. They have so much hype and love for their athletes and students typically maintain a healthy lifestyle. I’m engineering student and OU has one of the best teachers and facilities I had so far. I know their engineering program is prestigious but I don’t know much about the other departments. Beautiful campus and amazing social events. Diversity is enormous. LOVE IT SIMPLY.

Molly

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19/12/2023

On Campus

Getting the best at OU

I am a current student at the University of Oklahoma and I must say, I am extremely impressed with the quality of education and resources available here. The professors are knowledgeable and truly care about their students' success. The campus is beautiful and there are always events and activities happening. The community at OU is welcoming and diverse, making it a great place to grow and learn. I highly recommend this university to anyone looking for a well-rounded and fulfilling college experience. Boomer Sooner

Student

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28/11/2023

On Campus

Everybody is really helpful over here

The university has beautiful buildings and scenic fields with benches for enjoying the weather. There are a lot of nice students, so it's a pleasant experience. I thoroughly enjoyed the classes and gained valuable knowledge from the professors. It was a pleasure to work with my professors during my first year, as communication was easy and they consistently made themselves available during office hours, accommodating any scheduling conflicts. I had a smooth academic transition into college thanks to the great faculty.

Sara

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9/01/2023

On Campus

Oklahoma

I would say it is the best university in town. The education, knowledge, curriculum, extra curriculum activities, modern laboratories, big grounds, and spacious classrooms. I would say everyone who can should study here.

Quincy

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30/06/2024

On Campus

well maintained facilities

The OU campus is truly breathtaking with its vast green spaces and modern facilities. These facilities are contemporary and meticulously maintained, housing state-of-the-art science labs, a vast digital resource library, and cozy study areas perfect for late-night cram sessions. As someone from Oklahoma, attending this university has been a dream come true and has provided me with the most fulfilling years of my life. My freshman year was incredibly enjoyable, filled with fantastic friends and daily adventures. The friendships I've established here are lifelong, and I feel immense gratitude for my time at OU.

Charlie

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30/06/2024

On Campus

a home far from home

Attending the University of Oklahoma brought back nostalgic memories for me. My sister graduated from this university in May 2019, and while she had spoken highly of it, she hadn't quite captured how much I would come to adore this school. It has become a home away from home, with its welcoming atmosphere, kind professors, stunning campus, and impressive football team that resonates with my high school football experiences. I am grateful for the chance to study at the University of Oklahoma and receive an exceptional education.

Lauren

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5/07/2024

On Campus

psychology major

Honestly, I was not expecting to enjoy the University of Oklahoma (OU), but I ended up falling in love with it. Your college experience at OU largely depends on what you invest in it. While it was sometimes challenging to build friendships and step out of my comfort zone, the university offers numerous clubs and opportunities to engage with new people. As a psychology major at the University of Oklahoma, I firmly believe that the professors and the quality of education surpass those of any other university psychology program. This enables students to connect with professionals globally and fosters personal growth. In terms of academics, I find that professors are highly accessible to students, and there are abundant resources available to support academic achievement.

Catherine

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6/07/2024

Blended

great support

The campus offers a wide range of dining choices and excellent accommodation. It is reasonably affordable and offers support in locating scholarships and financial advisors to help students manage their finances. My overall experience has been far more positive than I anticipated, and I am completely satisfied with my decision to enroll at OU.

Student

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21/07/2024

On Campus

Beautiful campus scene

The University of Oklahoma has such a large and diverse population that you can't help but find your place here. There are many colleges, courses, and professors to choose from. I grew to love the environment, social life and community. The school has an amazing and breathtaking campus with many clubs and ways to get connected.

Rachel

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21/07/2024

On Campus

architecture program

I have been able to explore a wide variety of academic subjects during my studies. The university's dedicated faculty members have been crucial in fostering my intellectual development and providing guidance. I have always felt supported by the staff and my professors, especially in the field of architecture. My experience so far has been a positive journey.

Student

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24/07/2024

On Campus

passion for literature

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