Andres Guerrero

Hometown: Brownsville, TX

Undergraduate School and Major: University of Texas at Austin, B.H.P. Finance

Employer and Job Titles: Goldman, Sachs & Co., Associate

What led you to pursue an MBA? I reached a point in my career where I truly felt comfortable in my role at Goldman Sachs. I was confident in my skill set, but also self-aware of areas where I wanted to improve. By overlaying an MBA curriculum, I was able to add a new level of complexity to my job. The parallels in my line of work and education allow me to leverage each experience and apply what I learn in each setting to the other. Additionally, I was drawn to the opportunity to meet and collaborate with people of diverse industry backgrounds. Pursuing an MBA would allow me to continue to develop myself as a professional and bring a fresh perspective back to the workplace.

Why did you choose Rice for your professional MBA? After speaking with many current students and alumni, I was truly able to capture the essence of what it means to be part of a top-ranked program with an elite group of professors. Statistics and rankings are important, but the firsthand knowledge I was able to collect through the people I spoke with brought this program to life. None of their experiences were the same, but they all shared the same passion for the program. That was the moment I realized this would be the perfect program for me.

What has been a highlight of the program? The professors are amazing, and the lectures have vastly surpassed my expectations. Professors engage the class in active dialogue through which we are able to share our experiences and real-life applications of the concepts. Given that we are all currently employed, our applications are very timely and relevant to current economic themes.

What has surprised you about the journey so far? I was surprised to discover how quickly my classmates became some of my best friends. I know it sounds cheesy, but it’s true! The myths about forming lifelong friendships in business school – all true!

What advice do you have for prospective students? Please don’t do this because others are doing it, and by no means sign up for this program because you feel the need to check a box. Schedule some time to visit a class or meet with current students in the program to learn about their experiences. Be honest to yourself, and if you still feel passionate about the Rice MBA Professionals program, don’t overthink it and just go for it. It won’t be easy, but it will be rewarding.