Alex Krantz

Home Country: United States

Home State: WA

Undergraduate Institution: Trinity University

Undergraduate Degree and Major (and minor if applicable): Economics

Pre-MBA Industry: Software

Pre-MBA Company: Lacework

Pre-MBA Title: Regional Sales Manager

Desired industry post-MBA: Consulting

Desired job function post-MBA: Consultant

Degree Specializations: Entrepreneurship, Finance

Student Organization Membership: Consulting Association, Golf Club

Officer: Next year I will be co-president of the Consulting Association and likely have a leadership role in the Golf Club.

What has been the most surprising part of your Rice MBA? So far, the most surprising thing is how challenging the program is. I knew there would be challenges, but I did not expect it to be so consistent. From recruiting to classwork to networking, being good at time management has been key. In the future, I think I will look back on the challenge and rigor of this program and see how well it prepared me to deal with challenges in the rest of my life.

What has been your favorite thing about your MBA experience? The diversity in our first-year class. It has created a network for me that goes beyond Houston and introduced me to so many people that I would not have known otherwise. This diversity shows up in many ways, from work experience to where people are from, and it has given me a new perspective on the benefits of working with a diverse group of people. I worked from home for about four years before coming here, and getting to experience all of these different people's perspectives in person has made a huge impact on me.

What do you love most about Houston? Houston is a wonderful city; it is the people that really make it feel like my new home. Houstonians are incredibly friendly, creating a welcoming atmosphere wherever you go. Additionally, the weather for much of the year allows you to enjoy the city for the entire year. Finally, Houston offers so many things to do, from great restaurants and entertainment options to great parks like Memorial and Hermann. I have built a wonderful network in this city in such a short time, and I think that speaks to how welcoming the city is to new people.

What is one piece of advice you would share with a prospective student? Don't be afraid to get out of your comfort zone and try out something new.