How the MBA Took Diego Pedrazas from Engineering to Finance

This article was originally published on Clear Admit.

Meet Diego Pedrazas, a recent graduate of Rice Business and a rising leader in the renewable energy investment space. Originally from Bolivia, Diego brought five years of engineering experience at Shell into the MBA program at Rice University, where he focused on finance to pivot into strategic and deal-focused roles. Now serving as a mergers & acquisitions and investments associate at energyRe, Diego reflects on how his MBA prepared him to navigate high-stakes transactions and align his technical background with broader business impact. From leveraging an internship into a full-time role to navigating the transition from oil and gas to renewables, Diego shares valuable insights and advice for MBA students looking to chart their own transformative career paths.
 

Image

Why did you choose to attend business school?

I attended business school because I wanted to move beyond technical roles and take on strategic, finance positions. An MBA equips me with the business and financial skills to complement my engineering background, allowing me to make a bigger impact.

Why Rice Business? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?

Rice Business has a strong reputation for its connections to the energy sector and finance industry, particularly in Houston, which is a global energy hub.

What about your MBA experience prepared you for your current career?

My MBA gave me a solid foundation in finance and strategy to better analyze deals and structure transactions, and it provided the base to start my M&A career.

What was your internship during business school? How did that inform your post-MBA career choice?

I interned for the CEO at energyRe, where I gained direct exposure to renewable energy finance, strategy and top leadership. Working on a capital raise gave me hands-on experience in high-stakes transactions, solidifying my interest in deal-making and shaping my post-MBA path in M&A.

Why did you choose your current company? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to work?

My internship at energyRe gave me a firsthand look at its leadership, vision and approach to complex transactions. The chance to continue working in a fast-growing, impact-driven company with exposure to high-level deals made it the perfect place to continue building my M&A career.

Image

Advice to current MBA students:

One thing you would absolutely do again as part of the job search?

I would leverage my internship to build strong relationships and gain meaningful experience. Doing this played a key role in securing my full-time role and gave me valuable exposure to leadership and strategic decision-making.

One thing you would change or do differently as part of the job search?

I’d stress less and trust the process — opportunities come together when they’re meant to. At the same time, I’d invest more in MBA friendships; the job will come, but those relationships last a lifetime and shape your career in unexpected ways.

Were there any surprises regarding your current employer’s recruiting process?

Since I interned at energyRe, my transition to a full-time role was more organic. The biggest surprise was how much influence informal interactions and demonstrated initiative had in securing the offer.

What piece of advice do you wish you had been given during your MBA?

Don’t just focus on landing a job — focus on finding the right fit. The best opportunities come from aligning your skills, interests and long-term goals with a company’s culture and vision.