A great career isn’t just built by hard work. It takes the right mentors, the right network and an MBA program that supports your goals.
At Rice Business, the Career Development Office coordinates initiatives all year long to help Rice MBAs secure the best roles. When new students arrive with ambitious goals, they often find that the most meaningful career insights come from people who’ve already walked similar paths.
That’s why the CDO launched the Alumni in Residence program, a growing initiative launched in 2024 that connects current students with alumni for candid, one-on-one conversations about careers, industries, leadership and life after business school. Continue reading about how Rice Business helps MBAs secure strong outcomes after graduation through programs like Alumni in Residence.
The Alumni in Residence program creates space for students to gain the kind of honest, experience-backed guidance that no class or forum can offer.
Throughout the year, participating alumni volunteer their time to meet with students in scheduled one-on-one sessions. Conversations are intentionally flexible and can cover topics such as:
What a typical day looks like in a particular role or industry
Preparing for internships or full-time positions
Recruiting strategies and industry-specific advice
Long-term career planning and professional growth
Making the most of the MBA experience
Navigating career transitions and unexpected opportunities
Rice Business alumni participants represent some of the world’s leading organizations, including ExxonMobil, Amazon, Google, Deloitte and Accenture. For our students, these connections can become incredibly beneficial, as over 70% of our students find roles through the Rice MBA community.
And that’s not just by chance. It’s because our alumni are generous with their time and value giving back to the next generation. This program is just one of many ways our alumni stay connected and pay it forward.
The Value of MBA Mentorship
Rice MBA students often spend significant time researching industries, preparing applications and evaluating opportunities. But sometimes the most valuable insight comes not from a job posting or recruiting event, but from an honest conversation with someone who has experienced the same challenges firsthand.
Regardless of where a student is in their journey, alumni bring something that can’t be found in a recruiting event: experience paired with a genuine desire to help.
If you’re open to real self-reflection, the Alumni in Residence program offers an incredible opportunity to gain clarity and direction. After all, the best careers aren’t just built on skills but on purpose.
Daniel Gutierrez ’14
Rice MBA Alumnus
Those moments of reflection can help students uncover new possibilities, challenge assumptions and gain confidence in their next steps. For many participants, the impact extends beyond a single conversation.
Full-time MBA student Dyan Utami ’27 recalls her experience meeting with an alumna through the program.
“Meeting the alum in person for a one-on-one session was an amazing experience for me,” says Utami. “She was very thoughtful and honest, and she gave me constructive advice. We’re now connected on LinkedIn, and she continues to be very helpful.”
Learning Flows Both Ways
The Alumni in Residence program was designed with students in mind. What surprised many participants, on both sides, is how much alumni get out of it too.
Students gain practical guidance, industry insights and new perspectives. Alumni reconnect with Rice Business, reflect on their own professional journeys, and engage with talented future leaders who bring fresh ideas and perspectives to every conversation.
“What a unique opportunity for both the students and alumni to share their perspectives with each other,” reflects Kim Denney ’01, one of the program's participating alumni. “A little advice and counsel can make a huge difference for a student, and it’s the perfect way for alumni to use their experiences to lift up tomorrow’s leaders.”
Speaking with current students is always a rewarding experience. It’s gratifying to share lessons from my own journey that might help guide them as they grow or transition in their careers. At the same time, I always walk away having learned something new through their fresh perspectives.
Jen Sun ’17
Rice MBA Alumna
That reciprocity isn’t accidental. The Alumni in Residence program was built on the belief that the Rice Business community doesn’t stop at graduation and that the relationships formed here carry a responsibility to lift others as you climb, and an opportunity to keep growing long after you’ve left campus.
Putting Yourself in the Room
Many of the students who have benefited most from the Alumni in Residence program entered their sessions with curiosity rather than certainty. They didn’t necessarily know what opportunities might emerge or what insights they would gain. They simply showed up ready to ask questions, listen and learn.
“In a split second, such experienced alumni are able to point you in a direction that you have probably missed as a result of too many voices in your head,” says MBA student Evan Anto-Darkwah ’26.
Image
Meaningful opportunities begin with a conversation.
The lesson is simple: Meaningful opportunities often begin with a single conversation. The Alumni in Residence program makes it easy to have one. Every conversation has the potential to offer a new perspective, spark an unexpected idea or strengthen a meaningful connection.
For students, it may be the conversation that clarifies a career path. For alumni, it may be an opportunity to help shape the next generation of leaders. For the Rice Business community, it is another example of what becomes possible when we invest in one another’s success.
No matter where you are in your career, Rice Business offers an MBA program and guidance just for you. Learn more about which program aligns with your goals, and together we’ll get you there.
If you’re looking to sharpen your leadership skills, business acumen and network without putting your career on pause, a Rice MBA for working professionals might be just what you need.
For Bodie Gilbert ’26 and team, the Rice Global Field Experience (GFE) project culminated in a go-to-market strategy so impactful it helped land the client in the pages of Forbes Brasil.
