CJ Ladas

Home Country: United States

Home State: MD

Undergraduate Institution: Pepperdine University

Undergraduate Degree and Major (and minor, if applicable): Screen Arts

Pre-MBA Industry: Media & Entertainment

Pre-MBA Company: United Talent Agency

Pre-MBA Title: Talent Agent Assistant

Desired industry post-MBA: Finance or consulting

Desired job function post-MBA: Private Banker

Degree Concentrations: Finance, Strategic Management

Student Organization Membership: Consulting Association, The Adam Smith Society, Golf Club

What has been the most surprising part of your Rice MBA? Just how difficult the recruitment process can be! It's not enough to just be an MBA, you really need to give it everything you have in order to secure a great summer internship. No matter what you did before the MBA, it is certainly possible to pivot, but you are going to have to put in the work.

What has been your favorite thing about your MBA experience? Getting to know so many different people, from completely different backgrounds, from the very beginning of the program. I also really loved the guidance and mentorship received from the consulting association and their help in recruitment, even as someone who went in a different direction with their summer internship.

What do you love most about Houston? The people are so friendly and welcoming!

What is one piece of advice you would share with a prospective? If you come into the MBA ready to work, there truly is no limit to what you can accomplish.