The right internship can change everything. It’s often the first real test of whether the career you’ve imagined feels right in practice and the first big step toward where you want to go.

At Rice Business, we make sure students are ready when opportunity shows up. 

Our MBA Career Seminar gives Full-Time MBA students the tools, strategies and confidence to take charge of their internship search. With one-on-one support from the Career Development Office, students learn to tell their story, build connections and pursue roles that fit their goals.

Why We Built the Rice Business Career Seminar

Recruiting season can feel like a full-time job. We designed this seminar to make it more doable, structured, and grounded in real experience, offering students more support in an increasingly dynamic and competitive environment.

“The Career Seminar has given students a dedicated space to ask questions and actively work on their recruiting strategy,” says Mariella De Alba Ortiz, a senior associate director on the CDO team. “We’ve seen them fully engaged — participating in discussions, practicing outreach and exploring new resources that strengthen their search. It’s been exciting to watch them gain confidence and clarity as they shape their individual recruiting paths.”

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Our CDO advisors take into consideration feedback from both Rice Business student leaders and top employers alike to curate a well-structured curriculum that prepares students to stand out during recruitment.

From the very start of their first semester, students gain both guidance and accountability. The seminar helps them stay on track with key milestones while developing the skills that matter long after the MBA: communication, adaptability and self-awareness.

Inside the Seminar 

Designed to give students both structure and confidence, the seminar combines tactical skill-building with real-world practice. Students refine their personal brand, master networking and interviewing, and build a sustainable recruiting strategy tailored to their goals — all while learning how to keep momentum through changing plans.

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Here’s a look at some of what’s covered:

• Networking in Action: Coffee Chats
• Recruiting Roadmap: Timelines, Targets and Strategy
• Personal Brand & Value Proposition
• Behavioral Interviews I: STAR Stories
• Behavioral Interviews II: Alumni Panel and Fish Bowl
• Communicating with Recruiters and Evaluating Offers
• Sustaining Your Search

Together, the sessions form a complete roadmap for internship recruiting, helping students sharpen their professional identity, connect confidently with employers and approach interviews and offers with clarity.

Who It’s For

The Career Seminar was designed specifically for our Full-Time MBA students, who face a fast-paced recruiting cycle in their first semester. These sessions provide targeted, timely guidance just when it’s needed most.

Our working professional programs also receive robust career resources, but this hands-on, semester-long series is currently exclusive to full-time students. Because they step away from their careers during the two-year program, we provide Full-Time MBAs with this guidance to help them reenter the workforce with valuable internship experience.

Recruiting at Rice Business

At Rice Business, students don’t go through recruiting alone. The Career Seminar is built into the experience — not as an optional add-on, but as a core part of what makes our MBA program distinctive.

Every step is designed to help students turn preparation into confidence, and confidence into results. Learn more about companies that recruit at Rice Business.

Explore the Rice MBA 

The 10th annual Sparking Success Conference is set for Oct. 31, when attendees can experience a forum full of industry professionals, leaders and experts to network and learn important skills in the ever-changing world of business.

This year’s keynote speakers are Mohammed Anwar, Jeff Ma and Frank Danna to discuss their bestseller “Love as a Change Strategy: Innovation, Growth and Transformation.” The book follows the inside story of how they reorganized every layer of their company, Softway, and offers a blueprint for how to lead any change from a place of love.

Several Rice faculty members will present their research and expertise in sessions and dialogues, including Ruth Lopez Turley, director of the Kinder Institute for Urban Research and professor of sociology; Danielle King, associate dean of graduate and postgraduate studies and associate professor of psychological sciences; and Constance Porter, senior associate dean for belonging and engagement and associate clinical professor of marketing, will provide welcome remarks.

A number of industry leaders and insiders will sit on panels and host breakout sessions to ensure attendees receive timely, impactful experiences. This features executives from Cheniere Energy, JP Morgan Chase, the Houston LGBTQ Chamber and the Houston Minority Supplier Diversity Council discussing change management as well as sessions on neurodiversity and imposter anxiety.

Rice Business Sparking Success Conference — 10th anniversary
Friday, Oct. 31
8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Register here

The Office of Belonging and Engagement at Rice Business fosters positive and productive collaboration among students, faculty, staff, alumni and the community. Learn more about Rice Business’ Belonging and Engagement team and activities here.

If you’re considering pursuing an MBA, you may be wondering: What does it take to get into one of the top business schools?

There’s no one way to submit a perfect MBA application, but there are key qualities that most successful candidates share — and that top admissions committees search for. Here are some tips from the Rice Business admissions team on curating a strong application and standing out to top-ranked business schools.

How To Stand Out

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Top schools aren’t just looking for applications with all the boxes checked off. They want to see candidates going above and beyond — demonstrating leadership, passion and vision for the future.

Here’s what can really set your Rice MBA application apart: 

• Interview Prep. If you’re invited to interview, it means the committee sees potential in you. Use this opportunity to reinforce your goals — displaying confidence, clarity and purpose behind your decision for pursuing an MBA.
• Professional Certifications. Credentials like the CFA and PMP can strengthen your profile, especially if they align with your career goals or show technical expertise.
• Career Progression. Clear, steady advancement shows commitment, capability and a track record of results — evidence that you’re ready to take the next leap in your career.
• Demonstrated Leadership. Through community involvement, entrepreneurship or mentorship, strong leadership is a universal differentiator.
• Quantitative Readiness. Courses like accounting, statistics or data analytics can demonstrate preparedness, especially if you waive test scores.
• Strong GPA. A high undergraduate GPA shows you can handle the academic rigor of graduate-level coursework. If your GPA is lower, other elements like test scores or professional achievements can help balance it out.
• GMAT, GRE or EA. Even when tests are optional, submitting a competitive test score can boost your application, as it signals readiness for the MBA’s analytical demands.
• Authenticity. Be yourself! Admissions teams want to get to know the real you — your goals, your story and what drives you to pursue an MBA.

If you’re aiming for Rice Business or another top program, make sure to strategically display your strengths in your MBA application to show your commitment.
 

MBA Application Basics

While every MBA program has its own criteria, these core components are expected by most top-tier Full-Time MBA programs, including Rice Business:

• Bachelor’s Degree. All accredited MBA programs require a completed undergraduate degree from a recognized institution.
• Professional Experience. Most students bring two to five years of work experience. Schools aren’t just looking at what you did — they want to see your career progression and impact.
• Resume. A clear, concise resume highlights your professional trajectory, achievements and extracurricular involvement. Think of it as a snapshot of your career story.
• Letters of Recommendation. Strong recommendations from supervisors or mentors provide a third-party validation of your abilities. The best letters share concrete examples of your teamwork, leadership and problem-solving skills.
• Personal Essays. Essays are your chance to tell your story: why you want an MBA now and why that school is right for you. Authenticity matters more than perfection.

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For professional applicants looking to apply to a part-time program like the Rice Professional MBA, Hybrid MBA or Executive MBA, requirements can vary. For example, an executive program may prioritize work experience over test scores or education history. Be sure to check the Rice MBA application requirements for your specific program of interest ahead of time.

If you’re considering graduate school, it’s a good idea to start preparing these materials early — no matter when you intend on applying.

Missing Something? Here’s How To Bolster Your Application

Don’t panic if your profile isn’t perfect — many admitted students don’t check every box. What matters is how you tell your story and balance your strengths.

For example, if your GPA isn’t as strong as you’d like it to be, consider using essays to highlight your professional achievements or quantitative experience. If you have less professional experience, you might emphasize leadership in volunteer roles or entrepreneurial ventures. Many early-career applicants are still competitive if they demonstrate leadership potential, internships or entrepreneurial experience.

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Our admissions committee, like many others, evaluates applicants holistically. Top programs are looking for evidence of potential and passion, not perfection. Show them how you’ve grown, what you’ve learned and where you’re headed.

Looking for More Application Tips?

If you’re looking for more insights on how to present your best self, check out our guide on MBA application tips — including strategies for crafting your story, preparing for interviews and getting involved in the community early.

Curious if you belong at Rice? Contact our admissions team or attend an event to learn more about our top-ranked MBA programs.

Explore the Rice MBA 

Peter Rodriguez, the Houston Endowment Dean of the Jones Graduate School of Business and the Virani Undergraduate School of Business at Rice University, has been named the 2025 Poets&Quants Dean of the Year, a national honor recognizing visionary leadership and outstanding contributions to business education. The award was presented last night at Poets&Quants’ annual awards ceremony in Toronto.

Since his appointment as dean in 2016, Rodriguez has guided Rice Business through a period of extraordinary growth and innovation. Under his leadership, the school has grown in enrollment, faculty and staff. He doubled the MBA enrollment and launched new programs, including the university’s first online graduate degree program, MBA@Rice, as well as the hybrid MBA and the undergraduate business major at Rice. He also ushered in a new name for the undergraduate programs in honor of Houston community and business leaders, Asha Virani ’89 and Farid Virani.

This past spring, the Rice Business alumni network grew to more than 10,000. To support the school’s growing programs and student body, Rodriguez is overseeing the development of a new 112,000-square-foot facility adjacent to McNair Hall. Scheduled to open in 2026, the building will serve as a hub for business education, innovation and community engagement in Houston and beyond.

“Peter Rodriguez’s optimistic, forward-looking leadership has elevated Rice Business among the nation’s top business schools and opened the opportunity of a Rice Business degree to undergraduate and many more graduate students,” said Rice University Provost Amy Dittmar. “His vision for accessible, high-impact business education continues to inspire faculty, students and alumni — and this recognition from Poets&Quants is well deserved.”

In his nearly 10-year tenure as dean, Rodriguez has seen Rice Business climb in the national rankings, including the No. 3 spot for Best MBA in Finance from The Princeton Review. In recent years, Rice Business has also been ranked No. 5 for Top Online MBA program (2025) by The Princeton Review and No. 1 MBA in Texas (based on global rankings) by the Financial Times (2023-2024). In addition, Rice Business has been ranked the top graduate school for entrepreneurship by The Princeton Review and Entrepreneur magazine for the last six years.

Rodriguez joined Rice Business following more than a decade at the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia, where he served as senior associate dean for degree programs and chief diversity officer. He holds a doctorate in economics from Princeton University.

For Houston native Carlos Macias, earning a Master of Accounting (MAcc) at Rice University wasn’t just a hometown advantage — it was a smart move toward a successful career in finance.
Drawn by Rice Business’ strong reputation and close-knit community, Carlos knew the MAcc program was the right fit. In this collaborative environment, students challenge, support and inspire one another, bringing fresh perspectives to every class.

What sets the Rice Master of Accounting program apart? For Candis Damtse, it was the welcoming community and the accessibility of the faculty that made her feel like she truly belonged. Beyond rigorous coursework and career development opportunities, Rice Business creates space for students to connect — with social events like Partio, the beloved “party on the patio” tradition at McNair Hall.

Coming from an economics background, Chloe Kinnebrew didn’t know exactly what to expect from a Master of Accounting (MAcc) program. At Rice Business, she found a welcoming community, a buildable curriculum and career resources that supported her every step of the way.

Designed for students from any academic background, the 10-month Rice MAcc follows a lockstep, cohort-based model that builds tight-knit, lasting connections. Outside the classroom, career development opportunities — from recruiting events to networking sessions — help students get exactly where they want to go.