Brandon Cheatham

Home City: Houston, TX

Undergraduate Institution: Prairie View A&M University

Undergraduate Degree and Major: Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering

Pre-MBA Industry: Oil and Gas/Energy

Pre-MBA Company: Chevron Corporation

Pre-MBA Title: Senior Management Advisor

Desired Industry Post-MBA: Oil and Gas/Energy

Desired Job Function Post-MBA: Strategy Operations or Commercial Manager

Student Organization Membership: Black Business Student Association, Strategy Association

What has been the most surprising part of your Rice MBA experience? Firstly, the most surprising part of the experience is how much I enjoy being a candidate at Rice. I thoroughly enjoy the class discussions, learning from the professors, and challenging myself with the curriculum. Secondly, the most surprising part of my Rice MBA experience is how much of a journey it is personally and how much growth you will gain through balancing life, work, and school to create additional opportunities after graduation.

What has been your favorite thing about your MBA experience so far? My favorite thing about my MBA experience is getting to know and learn from members of my cohort and the strong sense of community at Rice. I have learned so much about other industries, how to approach problems, and new ways of thinking from my cohort. I have also quickly formed relationships that will last a lifetime. In addition, I always feel connected to the greater Rice community and the Jones Graduate School of Business. I honestly feel very welcomed in the Rice environment.

What do you love most about Houston? I love that Houston has such a rich and fun culture. There is so much to do in the city related to art, music, and events. Houston also has an amazing food scene! You can eat great food at any price point in the city. I also believe this is such an amazing time to live in Houston with the amount of job opportunities and the ability to easily get involved in community and business networks.

What is one piece of advice you would share with a prospective student? It's natural to feel some level of stress, but don't let it consume you and enjoy the experience.