Christopher "Kit" Cicardo

Hometown: Alexandria, LA

Undergraduate Institution: Louisiana State University

Undergraduate Degree and Major: B.S. in Finance

Previous Graduate School (if applicable): N/A

Pre-MBA Industry: Energy

Pre-MBA Company: Chevron

Pre-MBA Title: Financial Analyst

Current Industry: Energy

Current Company: Chevron

Current Title: Digital Analyst

Desired Industry Post-MBA: Consulting

Desired Job Function Post-MBA: Finance & Strategy Consulting

What Rice MBA clubs/organizations have you been involved in, and what positions have you held?

• Rice Business Board Fellows

What has been the most surprising part of your Rice MBA experience? The most surprising part of my Rice MBA experience has been the strength of the community and the level of support among classmates, faculty and alumni. Coming into the program, I expected rigorous academics and opportunities to sharpen my skills — but I didn’t anticipate just how collaborative and encouraging the culture would be. From classmates sharing notes and career advice to alumni taking time for networking calls, the generosity of the Rice Business community has exceeded my expectations.

What has also stood out is how quickly this environment creates meaningful connections. Despite balancing demanding jobs, family responsibilities and coursework, students go out of their way to support one another. This spirit of collaboration has made the MBA not only an academic experience but also a personal one, where I’ve built friendships and a network that I know will last well beyond graduation.

What has been your favorite thing about your MBA experience so far? My favorite part about my experience has been the on-campus weekends we come to class. While they’re long days, the weekends are the time for all of my cohort to come together in person and really engage with each other. Sometimes the online portion of the program can feel isolated, but having that on-campus interaction helps to bring out a sense of belonging and community. I have been fortunate enough to take advantage of these weekends and really get to know classmates and form meaningful relationships. This to me has been one of my favorite things about the MBA program.

What is one piece of advice you would share with prospective professional MBA students? Don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone and take advantage of all the opportunities that Rice offers, because you only get out of the program from what you put into it.