Alex Werner

Home Country: United States

Home State: TX

Undergraduate Institution: University of Texas at Austin

Undergraduate Degree and Major (and minor, if applicable): Petroleum Engineering

Pre-MBA Industry: Oil and Gas

Pre-MBA Company: Phillips 66

Pre-MBA Title: Project Manager

Desired industry post-MBA: Energy Investment Banking

Desired job function post-MBA: Investment Banking Associate

Summer Internship Company: Barclays

Summer Internship Position: Investment Banking Associate Intern

Degree Concentrations: Finance

Student Organization Membership: Energy Association, Finance Association, Golf Club

Officer: I am not an officer of any of these clubs.  I plan to assist the finance association in mentoring students next year, and will be participating as a fellow for the business communications class for first year students as well.

What has been the most surprising part of your Rice MBA? The most surprising part of my Rice MBA experience has been how practical and applicable the learning has been. I’m able to clearly see how what we’re studying connects to the roles I hope to pursue after graduation. Between the investment banking recruiting process, extracurricular training opportunities, and the coursework itself, I feel like I’m building skills that will directly benefit my career. I’ve also really appreciated the high standard Rice sets for its professors, students, and overall educational experience.

What has been your favorite thing about your MBA experience? My favorite part of the MBA experience so far has been meeting new people and building meaningful friendships. Rice has given me the opportunity to interact with people I likely wouldn’t have met otherwise and to experience things I might not have experienced outside of the program. Through Partios, student organizations, group projects, and other activities, I’ve really enjoyed getting to know classmates and learning about their different backgrounds and cultures. I’m confident I’ll leave this program with some great friendships that will continue well beyond the MBA. I’m also really excited to see what next year brings as a second-year student.

What do you love most about Houston? What I love most about Houston is the incredible variety the city offers. It may not be known for just one defining thing, but whatever you are looking for, you can find it somewhere in the city. Houston has a great food scene, an active nightlife, sports teams, and hosts many concerts and events like the Rodeo and the Houston Open. Even though I have lived here for eight years now, I still find new restaurants, places to go, and people to meet every week. The city is also great in the summer, whether that means spending time by the pool or taking a trip down to Galveston. Just as important, the people here are fantastic. Most are diverse, hardworking, and down-to-earth, which makes Houston a great place to build a life and create lasting memories.

What is one piece of advice you would share with a prospective? Give the program your all, because the more you put into it, the more you will get out of it.