AT A GLANCE
#1
MBA in Texas Financial Times
Graduate Program for Entrepreneurship Princeton Review and Entrepreneur #1
Best MBA for Finance Princeton Review #5
70% of the students accepted job offers from the Rice Business Community.
195 companies hired students from the classes of 2024 and 2025
Dear Rice Business Community,
The Career Development Office is honored to play a pivotal role in empowering Rice MBAs to achieve their career aspirations, both during their time at Rice Business and long after graduation.
Over the past year, the CDO has deepened its engagement across our vibrant community, fostering connections through on- and off-campus recruiting, career education programming, and networking events We welcomed nearly 200 employers to campus and hosted 119 workshops and career education programs These efforts underscore our commitment to meeting students, employers, and alumni wherever they are in their journey
At the heart of our work are our students resilient, innovative, and driven to make a meaningful impact. From securing on-the-spot interviews at conferences to building confidence through personalized coaching, Rice MBAs exemplify the determination and adaptability needed to thrive in a dynamic global marketplace
This work would not be possible without the invaluable contributions of our alumni and employer partners Alumni play a pivotal role, offering mentorship, hosting career treks, and championing Rice Business talent in their industries Meanwhile, our employer partnerships remain a cornerstone of success, providing our students with impactful opportunities to connect with industry leaders and explore meaningful career paths.
As Rice Business continues to innovate and grow, so does our impact locally and globally. We’re grateful for your partnership in making this possible!
With gratitude,
JESSICA CAMPBELL Executive Director
CDO TEAM
Marie Bergeron Director, Experienced Hires & Alumni
Jessica Campbell Executive Director
Shelley Richar Associate Director, Advis y Assistant Director, Career Ed
Emile Chamoun-Farah Assistant Director, Employer Relations
Jennifer Applebee Associate Director,
YEAR IN REVIEW
Through campus recruiting, career-focused workshops, networking events, career treks, and alumni connections, the CDO is an integral part of the Rice Business experience, empowering students to take charge of their career journeys.
APRIL - JULY
Pre-MBA & Alumni Career Panel Series
Prior to the start of their fall term, Full-time students from the class of 2026 participated in eight Pre-MBA workshops and 10 Alumni Career and Industry Panels.
Diversity Networking Event
With 200+ students and 27 unique employers attending, this signature recruiting event provides employers access to diverse Rice MBA talent AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
Technology Career Connections
This event provided 80 students the opportunity to connect with top tech employers, fostering more opportunities for students and employers to get connected
OCTOBER
Real Estate Networking Reception
Real Estate professionals, Rice Business alumni, and current students came together on campus for this networking reception to build new relationships and explore the industry through open dialogue
AUGUST - NOVEMBER
Student Diversity Conferences
To provide on-site advising and coaching support to students, the CDO attended diversity conferences, including ROMBA, National Black MBA Conference, OP, Forte, MBA Veterans, and Prospanica.
Alumni Mock-a-thon
In 2023, 18 Rice Business alumni conducted mock interviews with 58 MBA candidates, helping them practice behavioral interview questions and offering constructive feedback NOVEMBER
Houston Energy Career Trek
With site visits to Phillips 66, ConocoPhillips and SLB, participating students heard from Houston area energy employers to explore career opportunities with some of the world’s leading energy companies. NOVEMBER
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FEBRUARY - MARCH
Career Connections: Coast to Coast
Across eight sessions, this new series helped 100+ students network with alumni in geographic regions and industry functions of interest, exploring career opportunities across the US.
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ADVISING & STUDENT IMPACT
The Advising team provides personalized career coaching and education for Rice MBA students. Through resume reviews, interview preparation, and a robust library of resources and workshops, they empower students to navigate their career journeys with confidence and purpose.
PERSONALIZED CAREER SUPPORT
From conference support to mock interviews and resume reviews, our high-touch approach supports students every step along the way While our relevant and timely programming sets the foundation, the most impactful stories often emerge from navigating the unexpected
By helping students focus on what they can control, we empower them to turn challenges into opportunities. Highlighting these stories is one of the most rewarding parts of our work and a key way we celebrate the year’s achievements.
Students at the Consortium’s OP Conference
At a recent OP conference, MBA student Dana Vazquez received a last-minute interview with just 20 minutes’ notice Our team immediately stepped in to support her, but our dedication didn’t stop there For a second-round interview, Dana’s advisor met with her at 6AM to prepare for her 8AM meeting They practiced questions, refined her pitch, and ensured she was ready to shine
That extra effort paid off by the end of the interview, Dana received a job offer on the spot!
“I am so incredibly grateful for the support and act of selflessness I received, which truly made my experience special. It helped me show up as my best self.”
DANA VAZQUEZ ‘24
Transforming from a medical professional to a business leader, Ryan Flick’s MBA journey included an internship at DaVita, where he applied the skills needed to make a pivotal shift in his career.
FUELING A PASSION FOR IMPACT
I entered Rice Business because I wanted to become better for my family. However, I left with an unquenchable desire to make the world a better place.
The CDO’s clear vision for shaping each student’s path is second to none. Rice gave me the vision, skills, and confidence needed to succeed globally.”
JASPER KNIGHTEN ‘24
Jasper secured a competitive summer associate role at Wells Fargo during his MBA, helping him land a full-time investment banking job offer and make a career change after graduation.
Total Student Attendance Across All Career Workshops
Years of Career Services & HR Experience across our Advising Team
Students consistently rate their advising appointments high with the average rating of 4 95
EMPLOYER ENGAGEMENT & STUDENT SUCCESS
By facilitating recruiting, networking events, and offering engaging programs like fireside chats and info sessions, the Employer Relations team connects Rice Business talent with top employers.
DIVERSE DIRECTIONS, POWERFUL PARTNERSHIPS
Our success in serving Rice MBA students relies on strategic partnerships with outstanding employers Leveraging Rice University’s stellar reputation and our top-ranked MBA programs, we connect with leading companies to match their talent needs.
Guided by student input and flagship networking events, we build long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships with employers, listening to their needs and delivering tailored solutions
50 COFFEE CHAT EVENTS
We hosted 20% more coffee chats this year, creating more opportunities to support our students
94 EMPLOYER INFORMATION SESSIONS
With nearly 100 information sessions, students can connect with employers right on campus
“62 ON-CAMPUS INTERVIEWS
Our employer partners offered 19% more on-campus interviews to students this year
Our Rice MBA hires naturally fit into the Phillips 66 culture. They value the importance of collaboration and teamwork in creating new possibilities and achieving excellence. Our partnership with Rice has given us access to a unique talent pool that contributes to a high performing organization.”
SAM FARACE Vice President, Treasurer Phillips 66
CHARTING A NEW CAREER PATH
“
During my time at Rice Business, I had the remarkable opportunity to participate in the NYC Career Trek. The trek included visits to some incredible offices of leading companies, offering us firsthand accounts of different corporate cultures and dynamics.
The direct exposure to these environments and the ability to network with key industry professionals greatly enhanced my consideration of moving to NYC as a path to take to expedite my finance career.”
KAREN VERBOSKI ‘24
A passionate lawyer turned entrepreneur and finance enthusiast, Karen Verboski leveraged her career trek experience in NYC to navigate her career path both during her MBA and after graduation
Career Connections Series
These flagship events connect employers with Rice MBA candidates, offering a platform to showcase the exceptional talent at Rice Business Students use these events to explore job opportunities, refine their pitches, and sharpen their networking skills in a professional yet welcoming environment
ALUMNI GIVE BACK
The Alumni Career Services team helps Rice Business alumni thrive in their careers. Through personalized coaching, engaging workshops, and executive-level programming, alumni can access the resources they need to reach their goals.
THE RICE BUSINESS NETWORK MATTERS
Rice Business alumni are integral to the success of our community, actively supporting current students as guest speakers, panelists, industry experts, recruiters, and valued partners. This year alone, nearly 150 alumni participated in events, sharing their time and insights
After graduation, Rice MBAs continue to excel as dynamic business leaders, making an impact both locally and globally As our student body grows, we leverage the expertise and connections of our alumni network to guide and support each MBA’s unique career journey.
With lifelong career support from our office, alumni celebrate achievements, share personal milestones, and remain an enduring part of the Rice Business family before, during, and long after their time at McNair Hall
MOCK-A-THON MOCK-A-THON
The annual Alumni Mock-A-Thon is one of our most popular opportunities for students and alumni to connect. These dedicated alumni, representing diverse industries and professional backgrounds, volunteer their time to provide constructive feedback and recreate the conditions of a behavioral interview.
This past year, the CDO coordinated 32% more mock interviews to meet growing student demand.
18 alumni volunteers participated, up from 8 in 2023
27
hours of time and expertise through mock interviews
WORKSHOP SERIES PRE-MBA ALUMNI CAREER PANELS
Each summer, as we prepare to welcome new MBA cohorts in the fall, we see a growing enthusiasm for "PreMBA" engagements and opportunities From multi-day conferences to virtual information sessions hosted by affinity group organizations and top employers, Rice Business MBAs often begin their journey months before formal orientation, and alumni are a key part of that
To support their exploration of potential career paths, we host a series of Alumni Career Panels These virtual panels bring together alumni from major industries and career areas, offering incoming students invaluable insights into their fields
In recent years, Rice Business has experienced remarkable growth, including an increase in the number of international MBA candidates within our expanded student body These talented students face unique career challenges due to additional legal and work authorization requirements.
Through candid testimony and interactive Q&A sessions, alumni help incoming MBAs navigate the early stages of their career journeys with confidence and clarity.
ALUMNI CONNECTIONS IN ACTION
Fireside Chats
Host Coffee Chats
Post Jobs & Internships
Panel Discussions
Networking Happy Hours
Interview Rice MBAs
Host Company On-Site Visits
To support them, the CDO has focused on fostering a strong sense of community through intentional programming that connects international students with international Rice Business alumni By providing opportunities to build connections and expand their professional networks, we’ve seen our international MBA students gain valuable insights from alumni who have navigated similar career hurdles
35 volunteers in the Alumni Career Series
149
67%
Alumni in Residence
alumni participated in CDO events
more alumni engaged with the CDO this year
Students participate in meaningful, one-on-one discussions with alumni about topics, such as career options, networking, or even candid tips for making the most of the MBA program.”
