Abdul Rehman Mohammad Shahzad

Home Country: United States

Home State: TX

Undergraduate Institution: Bits Pilani, Vidya Vihar Campus

Undergraduate Degree and Major (and minor, if applicable): BE (Hons.)

Pre-MBA Industry: Consulting

Pre-MBA Company: ZoomRx Healthcare Consulting

Pre-MBA Title: Senior Associate

Desired industry post-MBA: Private Equity

Desired job function post-MBA: Associate

Degree Concentrations: Finance, Strategic Management

Student Organization Membership: Asian Business Student Association, Consulting Association, The Adam Smith Society, Entrepreneurship Association, Golf Club, Private Equity & Venture Capital Association

What has been the most surprising part of your Rice MBA? The most surprising part of my experience has been how quickly and genuinely my peers and local friends became essential to my everyday life. This transformed Houston from an unfamiliar city into a welcoming home. Coming in as an international student, I initially anticipated navigating many aspects of daily life on my own. However, I was amazed by how easily I connected with local friends from my hometown, who enthusiastically introduced me to Houston's vibrant food scene, accompanied me to grocery stores, and helped me find authentic local experiences. Similarly, classmates have been incredibly supportive, consistently planning outings and advice on placements.

Additionally, I was pleasantly surprised by Houston itself. Contrary to my initial expectations, the city offers an impressive range of cultural events, diverse cuisines, outdoor spaces, and professional opportunities. This makes my MBA journey far more enriching than I had imagined.

What has been your favorite thing about your MBA experience? My favorite aspect of the MBA experience has been discovering entirely new professional interests I hadn't anticipated before joining Rice. Initially, I was set on a clear path toward consulting. However, the vibrant campus life and diverse opportunities led me to explore private equity through hands-on experience with a local firm. Surprisingly, I enjoyed private equity even more, engaging deeply in deal sourcing, financial modeling, and negotiations—areas I hadn't considered before. This unexpected shift underscores the beauty of the Rice MBA: it continuously encourages exploration and often reveals new passions. I am sure that by the time I graduate, I'll have grown significantly, shaped by experiences I never imagined possible before arriving at Rice.

What do you love most about Houston? What I love most about Houston is its incredible diversity. Especially reflected through its vibrant food scene, welcoming community, and endless opportunities to explore new cultures and activities every day.

What is one piece of advice you would share with a prospective? Come with an open mind, ready to embrace change and discover passions you didn't know you had.