Irfan Riyaj Ahamed

Home City: Dallas

Home State: TX

Home Country: United States

Undergraduate Institution: Texas A&M University

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

Pre-MBA Industry: Civil Engineering/ Construction

Pre-MBA Company: Tetra Tech

Pre-MBA Title: Branch Manager

Desired industry post-MBA: Infrastructure Consulting

Desired job function post-MBA: Infrastructure Consulting

What has been the most surprising part of your Rice MBA experience? The most surprising part of my Rice MBA experience has been the caliber of my classmates. I came into the program confident in my own achievements and career accomplishments, but being surrounded by such talented, driven individuals has been genuinely humbling. Their diverse backgrounds, varied expertise, and intellectual curiosity have pushed me to grow in ways I did not anticipate. I am genuinely grateful to be part of this cohort.
Equally surprising has been the pace and depth of learning. The sheer volume of material we cover in a relatively short time is remarkable, and I feel that my thinking, skills, and worldview have been completely transformed over the past year. Rice has challenged me to think differently, work differently, and lead differently.

What has been your favorite thing about your MBA experience so far? My favorite part of the Rice MBA experience so far has been the professors. What strikes me most is how genuinely invested they are in our success, both as students and as future business leaders. Despite their own impressive accomplishments and expertise, they remain approachable, patient, and deeply committed to helping us grow. They have a gift for breaking down complex ideas in ways that feel relevant and meaningful, and they consistently push us to think differently. I have learned so much from them, not just in the classroom, but in how they approach problems, lead with purpose, and genuinely care about their students as people.

What is one piece of advice you would share with a prospective student – one sentence? The best time to plant a tree (of knowledge) was yesterday; the next best time is today.