Meet Shanker Nair: Hybrid MBA Class of 2027

Shanker Nair is one of the newest members of Rice Business’s Hybrid MBA Class of 2027. We asked him to share a little bit about himself and his experience starting the program. Here's what he had to say.

Tell us a little about your current career and background.

• Education: I completed my undergraduate degree in chemical engineering in Bangalore, India, followed by a master’s degree in petroleum engineering from New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology in Socorro, New Mexico.
• Most Recent Employer and Job Title: I work as a senior reservoir engineer with Apache Corporation.
• Career Highlights and Industry Experience: I have worked across both the downstream and upstream oil and gas sectors, with professional experience in Austria, Shanghai (China), India and the United States. I currently serve as a reservoir engineer and hydraulic fracturing specialist, with expertise spanning both U.S. domestic (unconventional/shale) and international (conventional) assets.

What is a fun fact about you?

 I love Latin dancing (especially salsa and bachata), have won a workplace push-up competition with 71 reps, speak six languages, enjoy oil painting and am an avid chess player.

Why did you choose Rice Business?

I chose Rice Business for its strong reputation, powerful alumni network and the high quality of education it offers. Several colleagues who completed the Rice MBA spoke very highly of their experience, which gave me confidence that this was the right fit for my professional and personal growth.

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Why did you choose our Hybrid MBA program?

With a baby on the way, due in September 2025, and the ongoing process of rebuilding our home after losing it to a fire during Hurricane Beryl in 2024, the Hybrid MBA program was the ideal choice. It allows me to balance personal responsibilities while still pursuing my goal of earning an MBA from a top-tier institution.

How are you feeling about starting your MBA? What are you most looking forward to?

I’m excited to start my MBA journey. With an engineering background, I haven’t had much exposure to some of the core areas of business, so I’m looking forward to learning more about strategy, finance and leadership. These are areas I believe will help me grow into a stronger manager and bring more value to my organization. I’m also hoping the program will equip me with the right tools and perspective to explore entrepreneurship down the road, if that’s a path I choose to take.

How was your experience during launch week? What were your first impressions of the program and your classmates?

I was truly impressed by the Rice staff and administration — from the dean and assistant dean to the faculty and support team. Everything was well organized, and the clear communication made Launch Week smooth and enjoyable. My classmates immediately stood out as driven, motivated and intellectually curious. The cohort’s diversity was remarkable, and it was inspiring to see how eager everyone was to collaborate and share ideas. I was also amazed at how quickly a group of 25 of us bonded — taking time in the evenings to unwind and get to know one another made the experience even more memorable and teeing up for the next two years.

Shanker Nair is a Hybrid MBA student in the Class of 2027.