Abbey Marks

Professionals - Evening
Current Industry/Job: Marketing and Communications Consulting
From: Houston

Favorite quote and why:

“Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out.” 
--John Wooden

If you could choose anyone, who would you pick as your mentor and why?

Tina Fey. She’s smart and sophisticated. And in addition to being brilliantly funny, she’s an incredibly talented writer and producer, does tremendous charity work, and has accomplished so much while also having a family. And I must echo Mindy Kaling (one of my other favorites) in saying, "I always feel unoriginal bringing up Tina Fey as my inspiration, but she's everyone's inspiration for a reason." 

Best memory from your first year in the MBA program:

I went on the Seattle Trek and spent four days with classmates visiting various companies and exploring the city. Too many awesome memories to just pick one; we had an absolute blast (and learned a bit too).

What story does your family always tell about you?

I called my mom to ask her this question. After a brief pause, she said, “Well, you cried a lot as a baby.”

What advice would you like to provide incoming students?

The beginning can be overwhelming. It took me five weeks to get into a rhythm—to establish a new routine that worked for me. So don’t worry if in the first couple of weeks your fridge is emptier than it was in undergrad, or if it feels like you haven’t done laundry since 1999. Work + School + Life is a lot. But just when you’re beginning to question how you’re going to do it, things suddenly snap into place and feel normal.

My next piece of advice may seem strange given the first, but get involved in things outside of class. Go to PCF, tailgates, clubs or whatever piques your interest. You don’t have to do everything, but pick something and make an effort to know your classmates. I've come to love these people and this institution more than I ever thought I would, and I’m only halfway done!

Any additional unique facts you would like to share:

I have a rescue dog name Lola (a Pug/Boston Terrier mix) who goes to work with me every day. I’m still working on Rice administration to allow her to come to class with me too…