All Experience Stories
Bison to the Bakken connects students with careers and industry leaders
A group of North Dakota State University students returned from western North Dakota inspired by new career possibilities and equipped with real-world insights and professional connections, thanks to the university’s inaugural Bison to the Bakken program.
The immersive, 12-day summer program gave 37 students majoring in agriculture, business, engineering and other fields the chance to explore career opportunities in North Dakota’s dynamic energy sector. The experience, which ran from May 18 to May 30, emphasized hands-on learning and networking with professionals across the region.
“This program has given me not only industry knowledge, but also lasting connections and unforgettable memories,” said NDSU mechanical engineering student Amani Muta.
Students participated in site tours, professional meet-and-greets and cultural events throughout the Bakken region. They engaged directly with leaders from organizations including Chord Energy, ONEOK, BNI Coal, Sandpro, NewKota, Mountrail-Williams Electric Cooperative, Red Trail Energy, Xcel Energy, Falkirk Mining Company and Rainbow Energy Center.
Eman Eldeeb, a doctoral student in precision agriculture, said the trip offered meaningful exposure to her research interests.
“I was interested in learning about restoring landscapes affected by energy production,” Eldeeb shared in a LinkedIn post. “Witnessing the balance between industrial growth and environmental stewardship was truly inspiring.”
Funded by the Economic Diversification Research Fund, a 2023 initiative of the North Dakota Legislature, the program supports workforce development and innovation by connecting students with high-demand industries and encouraging collaboration between academia and private enterprise.
“This program truly was the trip of a lifetime — made possible by our outstanding partners who welcomed our students, shared their knowledge and gave us a front-row look at innovation, operations and leadership across the energy sector,” said Kathryn Birkeland, Ronald and Kaye Olson Dean of the NDSU College of Business.
More than 60 students applied to join the inaugural Bison to the Bakken experience, demonstrating strong interest in the opportunity to gain industry exposure and build professional networks while exploring careers that power North Dakota’s economy.