Meet Norman Clark, MBA '20

Why did you choose Rice Business?

I wanted to attend a school that was close to home and fostered a sense of community. It was important to me to feel as if I wasn't just another number or recruiting statistic. I wanted to enjoy my education and the people I would be spending so much time with, and Rice Business offered me that.

What are you most proud of from your time at Rice Business?

While I loved my professors and my peers, making a career switch is a clear highlight for me. I knew that pivoting from Education to Marketing would be a huge shift, and there was a lot of fear and uncertainty in that. While I was unable to participate in an internship to further solidify my career switch, I leveraged my network in the end, and thankfully, things worked out for the best.

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How has your Rice Business experience supported your entrepreneurial or career accomplishments?

In addition to making a career switch, I obtained a wealth of information on what it means to run a company. As the co-founder of MAW SUPPLY (a vintage clothing and accessories company), I entered into my MBA wanting to learn more about being a successful business owner.

While I have no desire to exit or go public, there is so much to learn from enterprises, case studies, and the number of investors and business owners that I've encountered throughout my time at Rice. Regardless of my desire to stay a small business, there is much to learn from big business. Rice allowed me to see the other side of the coin and reach my own conclusions.

Have you faced racial judgments in a professional setting? If so, what advice do you have for anyone experiencing something similar?

Microaggressions and sometimes less nuanced comments and actions can run amuck in even the most white collar of settings. For me, it's important to find companies and communities that foster an environment that stands up for those who feel voiceless and protects them from those who cause harm, whether intentional or unintentional. When encountered with racial judgements, some folks stick around and create the change they wish to see, others leave for greener pastures or choose to create it themselves elsewhere. I'm not sure which is the best answer, or if there even is one for that matter, but the choice is yours.

What suggestions do you have to work with allies within the workplace or at school?

Finding your community and your "safe space" is key. While this may be easier said than done, I find it important to surround yourself with people you can talk to and enjoy working with, and in some cases you may find allies that support you both personally and professionally.