This post is a part of our Student Spotlight Series where we sit down with graduating students and ask them to reflect on their time at MCEE and what comes next.
- Please tell us a little bit about yourself.
My name is Frances Galgan and I graduated in 2017 with a major in petroleum geology and a minor in General Business. After graduating from OU I went on to work at Paycom in Oklahoma City doing software testing and analysis. This fall I’m actually set to start a graduate program at the Colorado School of Mines to complete an M.S. in Engineering and Technology Management.
- What’s life like as an alumnus?
Going straight from school into a corporate environment has been a big transition but it’s also been really great. My last class was the geology program’s field camp capstone, so going from spending all day outside hiking to sitting at a desk for 8+ hours a day was a little different. Fortunately, Paycom is a great company to work for so I can’t complain! Staying in the OKC metro has also been really nice because I’m surrounded by a great network of friends that I built during my time at OU. It feels like life is moving really quickly but I’m really looking forward to all the opportunities that lie ahead!
- Congratulations on your admittance to graduate school, what are you looking forward to about the program?
Thank you! I’m really excited about this program because it integrates technical coursework like I got to work with in geology with a business degree like I worked with in my minor, so it’s kind of the best of both worlds! My primary focus is going to be using econometrics to optimize business performance specifically for technology-focused enterprises. I think it will be really interesting to learn how to leverage technology as a tool in today’s markets and building from my geology degree from OU at an earth science focused program like the CO School of Mines is an amazing opportunity. The degree program is pretty small which will be a change from what I’m used to, but I’m looking forward to getting to know my classmates and to be back home in Colorado.
- That’s quite a pivot from geology to business/engineering, what drew you to it?
I started working at a software company immediately after graduation which really sparked my interest in technology and innovation in general outside of oil and gas. I always knew I wanted to pursue a graduate degree so when I came across this program I knew that it would be the perfect opportunity for me to blend my technical background with my interest in analytics.
- Do you think that the education you’ve received from OU has adequately prepared you for your life after graduation?
Absolutely! Even though some of the major-specific knowledge I gained is won’t be totally applicable on my current career path, I know the skill sets I developed throughout undergrad are going to be invaluable. The projects I completed at OU taught me not only how to analyze information, but how to collaborate with others to explore new ideas and work towards common goals. I already know having these strong problem-solving skills is going to be imperative going to work in a technical industry. Of course, classes can never fully prepare you for life after graduation, but I think OU does a really great job of setting up students for success.
- Lastly, what is something you’d like someone graduating this year to know about alumni life or heading to grad school?
This is only the beginning! It’s easy to think that your future is set in stone based on what you do right out of college, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. People our age worry so much about making it to the next step in life that they miss out on what’s happening in their lives right now. Work hard, set goals and make smart decisions for your future, but don’t forget to take a step back sometimes to focus on enjoying the present!