Energy companies spend billions of dollars searching for oil, but that's not the only thing they're looking for. Many are on the lookout for young minorities who want to work in the energy industry.

Some are even turning to the Houston Independent School District for help.

Students from Booker T. Washington High School learned Thursday about opportunities their parents never had

"We call this shadow day, but it is really a dreaming opportunity."

Not many minorities are entering the oil and gas industry. So even while it is booming -- entire ethnicities -- are missing out.

"Many of the households that these kids are coming from have no idea what oil and gas geologists do," explained Michael Harness with Osyka Corporation. 

Osyka is one of the only oil exploration companies in the country that's run by African-Americans.

"Everybody take a million dollars that they want to invest and hold it in the air."

With fake money at stake, the students begin to understand how valuable a good oil well can be.

Jasmine Carter wants to start her own business.

Tierra Blount's learning to be an engineer.

"I guess because it's a predominantly white field and people might be scared or whatever, but see this opportunity here, it shows us that anyone can be an an engineer," Bount said. "If you love it, you can do it."

"With more education comes more standards of living," Feefe Yorka said.

And closing the gap takes investments like this one.

"Maybe I want to get into the oil industry now, as much money as they make!," Carter laughed.

She and others are hoping for a big payoff in the future.