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Student Stories

Arwa Hasanali

What was your pre-MBA Industry and function?

Prior to joining Rice Business, I was a pension investment consultant at a benefit consulting firm where I helped manage a book of business of roughly 70 clients with over $1B in assets under advisement.

What is your post-MBA Industry and function?

After graduation, I will be joining E&Y Parthenon as a Strategy and Transactions Consultant in the Houston office.

Why did you want to pursue your MBA? Why did you choose Rice Business?

I wanted to pursue an MBA to expand my knowledge outside the niche world of pension/401k consulting. I was ready to try something new, and I knew an MBA would help guide me in my career exploration. I chose Rice Business for the diverse and close-knit community, which is something I did not get to experience during my undergrad at a large state university.

What was your favorite memory or experience from your time at Rice? 

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Arwa Hasanali and Family

My husband and I welcomed our second child during my second year. I was a little nervous about having a baby during the program, especially since it would mean I would miss a few weeks of classes and events, including final exams. But I was amazed by the amount of support I received from everyone – teammates, professors, all the way to the APSE (the office of Academic Programs and Student Experience). 

How has the Rice MBA helped you in your career?

Rice Business provided me with the resources and networking opportunities to land an internship in management consulting. I got a chance to use strategic-thinking skills I learned during first-year classes to provide actual value during the internship, and eventually receive a full-time offer.

What does it mean to you to be a woman in business?

Out of college I experienced the gender pay gap first-hand, as my now-husband and I worked at the same company, on the same team. Even though I was promoted before him and had more experience than he did, his paycheck outpaced mine. Women in business face an uphill battle, and we need more examples of women breaking through the barriers and becoming leaders. I owe it to my daughter to continue fighting for an equitable and inclusive world.

What do you think organizations should do better to build a diverse, equitable and inclusive organizations?

Organizations often say diversity is important to their workplace, but the profiles of their leadership & deeply embedded cultural stigmas usually don’t reflect their words. I want to see organizations be more proactive in who they choose for leadership positions before I can trust the rhetoric. When leaders are vulnerable, authentic, and empathetic, they create a culture where true diversity can thrive, and people feel safe to be themselves.

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Arwa Hasanali and Group

What suggestions do you have for working with allies in the workplace or at school?

Show genuine curiosity and compassion for your team members and classmates. The MBA program exposes you to a wide variety of personalities, creeds, and communities, so keep an open mind. The best way to build trust and respect with your colleagues & classmates is to be a net giver (always give back more than you receive). 

What advice would you give prospective students who are considering an MBA?

Be authentically you. From writing your application essays to conversing with alumni and current students, don’t be afraid to be yourself. If you start the application process with an open mind, you will quickly learn if this is the right step for you. Even when you begin the MBA journey, think of it as an experience rather than a transaction. The journey becomes more transformative along the way.

 


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