Posted on April 29, 2025 by Rebekah Alegria
Over 20 Business Honors students from the Carlos Alvarez College of Business at UTSA embarked on a high-impact trek to Houston, Texas this month to explore firsthand Houston companies. Organized by the college’s Alvarez Student Success Center, the Houston City Trek exposed students to leading industries and allowed them to network with Alvarez alumni.
UTSA Alvarez Business Honors students at EY Houston
The one-day immersive experience included site visits to BP, EY and the Houston Astros, each providing a unique lens into business leadership, innovation and career possibilities. Throughout the day, students engaged with professionals, gained insights into diverse work environments and built lasting connections with industry leaders and alumni.
“At BP students explored the energy sector’s role in global sustainability efforts,” said Leticia Garcia, assistant director of student success and program lead for the Business Honors Program. “They learned how teams use analytics, collaboration and fast-paced decision-making to drive progress toward net-zero goals. Students also gained perspective on what it means to be a high-performing, team-oriented professional in a dynamic industry.”
Kathleen Martinez, '94, senior director of national strategic relationships and executive director of the BP Global Foundation, emphasized the importance of experiential learning during the visit.
“Having students on the BP campus, being able to ask questions and learn firsthand about the business is really important,” said Martinez. “Experiential learning gives students the opportunity to learn hands-on, and that is what we integrate into BP’s global work experience program. We focus on creating awareness of opportunities that many students are not aware of, like BP’s energy trading program, creates a stronger experience that prepares them for their future careers ahead.”
For Alvarez Business Honors Student Oluwadara Afolayan, a key takeaway from the visit was the value of continual growth. “The trip showed me certifications I may need to start working on, but it also reminded me that even post-grad professionals are still learning as they go—and knowing everything is not necessary,” she said. “It really encouraged me to stay curious and get involved, whether that’s personal projects, online certifications or student organizations.”
The next stop at EY immersed students in the world of consulting and financial services. Alvarez alumni and current EY professionals shared insights on strategic planning, client engagement and long-term relationship building. Discussions emphasized core values like integrity, innovation and professional growth.
Rounding out the day, students visited the Houston Astros' Daikin Park, where they learned about the business side of professional sports. From ticket sales to fan engagement strategies, students saw how data and analytics fuel brand development and audience connection within a competitive sports market.
A networking dinner at Churrascos Restaurant capped off the experience, giving students a chance to connect with UTSA alumni now working in the Houston area. “Hearing stories from different alumni about their careers inspired me to keep going,” Afolayan said. “It reminded me that there’s so much more to life than the classroom or my grades.”
Garcia reflected on the power of these moments beyond the day’s schedule. “One of the things that really stood out to me on this trek was the transformation I saw in our students—and all in just one day,” she said. “Some students started the day quiet and reserved, but by the end, they weren’t just students. They were young professionals with a clearer vision of their future.”
She emphasized the broader value of experiential learning. “Experiences like the Houston City Trek are such a valuable part of our Business Honors students’ professional journey,” said Garcia. “They open students’ eyes to new career paths, let them hear directly from professionals in the field and give them a better sense of where their own journey could lead. It’s all about broadening their perspective and helping them see the possibilities.”
The Houston City Trek aligns with the college’s commitment to experiential learning and the development of NACE competencies such as Career & Self-Development, Communication, Leadership and Professionalism. By connecting students with professionals in diverse industries, the trek reinforced the importance of networking, adaptability and continual learning.
“My message to any student on the fence about applying to a program, attending a workshop or just showing up for something new is simple: say yes. That one ‘yes’ can open doors you didn’t even know were there, and you absolutely deserve that chance,” concluded Garcia.
— Rebekah Alegria
