Hayder Hilo

Home City: Tomball

Home State: TX

Home Country: United States

Undergraduate Institution: Texas A&M University

Undergraduate Degree and Major (and minor, if applicable): Bachelor of Science in Industrial and Systems Engineering

Pre-MBA Industry: Chemical, Oil & Gas

Pre-MBA Company: Dow Chemical

Pre-MBA Title: Global Supply Chain Manager

Desired industry post-MBA: Technology & Consulting

Desired job function post-MBA: Consulting

Student Organization Membership: Rice Business Board Fellows, Consulting Association, The Adam Smith Society, Strategy Association, Technology Association

Officer: Strategy Association, Co-President 

What has been the most surprising part of your Rice MBA experience? The most surprising part of my Rice MBA experience has been the sheer collaborative spirit of the cohort, particularly during highly competitive recruiting cycles. Coming into the program, I knew that recruiting for top-tier strategy consulting would be intense. However, I was genuinely surprised to find that the environment wasn't cutthroat at all; instead, it was deeply supportive. My peers were constantly willing to run late-night mock cases, share resources, and celebrate each other's wins. Seeing firsthand how we lift each other up, which ultimately played a massive role in my own successful offer at BCG, proved to me that Rice Business truly operates as a team, not just a collection of individuals.

What has been your favorite thing about your MBA experience so far? My favorite thing about my MBA experience so far has been stepping into the Co-President role for the Strategy Association. It has been incredibly rewarding to help my peers build a bridge between classroom theory and real-world application. Organizing case prep, bringing in alum speakers, and seeing first-year students gain confidence in their problem-solving abilities have been highlights of my time here. It has allowed me to connect with my classmates on a much deeper level and actively contribute to the professional success of the Rice Business community.

What is one piece of advice you would share with a prospective student – one sentence? Lean heavily into the Rice Business community and student organizations from day one. The relationships you build and the support you both give and receive will be the defining factor in your career trajectory.