Hays Mabry

Professionals - Weekend
Current Industry/Job: Oil & Gas - Investor Relations
From: Memphis, TN

Favorite quote and why:

“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough” - Mae West. I keep this quote posted both at my office and at home. It reminds me to keep a good work / life balance and was especially important during my first year in Rice’s MBA for Professionals program. No matter how daunting your workload at the office or school might be, remember to take some time for yourself. Whether it’s hanging out with friends, working-out, etc. – make time each week to indulge in these activities in order to take the stress off of work and school.

If you could choose anyone, who would you pick as your mentor and why?

I’d most likely choose Warren Buffet, one of the most successful financial investors of our time. He has an incredible ability to look past all the noise when evaluating investments and usually takes a longer-term view to investing. I believe these characteristics, along with his contrarian style, could be applied to a lot of things outside of business.

Best memory from your first year in the MBA program:

Some of my favorite memories from the MBA program are from our simulation games: The Ice Cream Game, Pharmasim and CapSim. While you’ll learn more about these during your spring semester, they act as great opportunities to learn more about your teammates. You’ll spend long hours with your team formulating and implementing certain strategies, while also gaining valuable real-world experience.

What story does your family always tell about you?

My parents always like to remind people that I was once held back in kindergarten. I don't know how you fail kindergarten; but I managed somehow to do it.

What advice would you like to provide incoming students?

I would remind incoming students to keep an open mind towards your classmates. During Immersion, your first impulse will be to judge your fellow classmates by their current job, where they went to college, etc. I would caution you not to make this mistake during your first semester. Remember, each student brings a unique set of characteristics and knowledge into the classroom and team groups. It will be your job to work together as a team in order to formulate your teammates’ individual thoughts into one. Lastly, make it a point to go to as many PCFs (i.e. happy hours with your classmates) and school-sponsored functions as you can. This is a great way to meet individuals in your class as well as the second years. You only get an MBA once, might as well make the most of it.

Any additional unique facts you would like to share:

I was born with one kidney.