Meet Patrick Okorafor, MBA '23

Why did you choose Rice Business?

Being a native Houstonian, I have known about the prestige of Rice University since elementary school. In my 5th grade memory book, I was asked where I would be after graduating high school, and I said, “at Rice University playing Football.” Even though that dream did not come to fruition, when I started looking at MBA programs, I already knew Rice would be at the top of the list. Once I visited the campus and spoke with admissions representatives and students, I was sold on the culture. Rice has an elite entrepreneurship program, small classes – and a small cohort that allow you to really connect. The familial culture permeates throughout the school, and it is in one of the most diverse cities in the U.S.

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

I am proud of the way Rice students help to support each other. I have seen students unofficially tutor one another in courses they were familiar with and help each other prepare for case interviews, review resumes, cover letters and elevator pitches. I have also seen the applicable student organizations do everything in their capacity to help incoming students prepare for the recruiting process.

How has your Rice helped you in your career?

Rice has already helped tremendously with my career. Shortly after acceptance, Margaret Kazibwe, former Rice Business admissions, provided me with an opportunity to apply to the Consortium. After being accepted, I was able to attend the Consortium conference over the summer. Through the conference and with the help of the Rice Career Development Office, I was fortunate enough to receive multiple internship offers before I even started the program.

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

DO IT!! 

In all seriousness though, attending Rice is one of the best decisions I’ve made. You develop a new skillset and build a network that will follow you the rest of your career. I feel like I am constantly having stimulating and enjoyable conversations because I am surrounded by like-minded individuals with great personalities. We are all working towards a common objective while offering support and advice to each other. I would advise prospective students to just start the application. From there, they can reach out to the admissions office and current students to develop a better understanding of the school. Once they receive a decision letter, they can further evaluate whether they want to pursue the opportunity. I feel like a lot of prospective candidates talk themselves out of applying. In doing this, many decide against an MBA and limit themselves before even trying. I would advise that it is better to have the letter in hand and to be fully informed when making that final decision than to decide before even beginning the process.

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

I believe there are a few things organizations can do to build a diverse, equitable and inclusive organization. First, they need to develop opportunities that allow for diverse representation within the leadership of the organization. Second, they need to implement processes that not only recruit, but help to retain diverse candidates. Finally, I feel that it is crucial for asset management firms (i.e., venture capital and private equity) to develop investment criteria to fund diverse founders. Through this investment, we will have more organizations owned and operated by diverse entrepreneurs, providing representative examples of achievement and an even higher probability of opportunities for diverse candidates.

Do you have any other comments or anecdotes you would like to share?

“The best way to not feel hopeless is to get up and do something. Don’t wait for good things to happen to you. If you go out and make some good things happen, you will fill the world with hope, you will fill yourself with hope.” – Barack Obama