Jackie Arroyo

Home City: Houston

Home State: TX

Home Country: United States

Undergraduate Institution: Bryn Mawr College

Undergraduate Degree and Major (and minor, if applicable): Mathematics and Spanish

Pre-MBA Industry: Financial Services

Pre-MBA Company: BNY

Pre-MBA Title: Associate Client Processor

Desired industry post-MBA: Finance, Corporate Finance, Financial Services, Operations within Finance

Desired job function post-MBA: Senior Associate in Finance

Student Organization Membership: Rice Business Board Fellows, Finance Association, Forte, Latin Business Student Association, Rice Business Women's Organization, WILC

Officer: Rice Business Board Fellows Finance and Operations Officer
WILC Finance Chair 2027 

What has been the most surprising part of your Rice MBA experience? The most surprising part of my Rice MBA experience has been both my ability to balance the rigor of the program while working full-time and the breadth of opportunities available beyond the classroom. 

Coming into the program, I expected the academic challenge, but I did not anticipate how much I would be able to engage outside of coursework. I was genuinely surprised by the range of experiences available treks, lunch-and-learns, seminars, conferences, industry-focused events, and even public service opportunities. Initially, I assumed that many of these offerings would be more accessible to full-time MBA students, but I quickly learned that, with initiative, these opportunities were equally available to professional and hybrid students. 

What stood out most was that if I was curious about something, I could ask around and almost always find a person, event, or space that allowed me to explore that interest. That level of accessibility made the experience feel highly customizable and empowering. It reinforced that the MBA journey at Rice is not just structured by the curriculum, but also shaped by how proactively you choose to engage with the community. 

One experience that truly highlighted this for me was volunteering at the Women in Leadership Conference. Through that opportunity, I was able to connect with a group of incredibly driven and like-minded individuals who were all passionate about advancing women in leadership. Being in that environment was both energizing and affirming it reminded me of the broader purpose behind why I chose to pursue my MBA. 

Beyond the content of the conference, what made the experience especially meaningful was the opportunity to network with MBA students across different cohorts individuals I would not typically interact with during my weekend classes. These conversations allowed me to build connections outside of my immediate circle and gain new perspectives from peers at different stages of their MBA journey. It made the Rice community feel even more expansive and interconnected. 

While I do believe there is still room to continue expanding awareness and accessibility of these opportunities, I have been genuinely impressed by how much is available to students who are willing to seek it out. Combined with a supportive and collaborative environment both from professors and peers this has made it possible not only to keep up with the program, but to fully immerse myself in it. 

Ultimately, what has surprised me most is not just the availability of these experiences, but how they have allowed me to grow both professionally and personally in ways I did not initially expect.

What has been your favorite thing about your MBA experience so far? My favorite part of the MBA experience so far has been how it has expanded not just my network, but my sense of purpose through relationships that have challenged me, supported me, and reminded me of who I am at my core.

Coming into the program, I expected to grow academically. I knew I would be pushed through group projects, case discussions, and long nights trying to master new concepts. But what I didn’t expect was how personally transformative the experience would feel. Very early on, I found myself leaning into conversations, study sessions, and shared moments that went beyond coursework. I wasn’t just learning alongside my peers, I was growing with them.

One experience that stands out to me began in a simple way. While working through accounting material with a classmate who owns a school, I found myself stepping into a familiar role, breaking down concepts, explaining them in a way that made sense, and making the material feel more approachable. Teaching has always been something that comes naturally to me, but I hadn’t fully realized how much I missed it until that moment.

That small interaction turned into something much bigger. Through that connection, I was invited to teach SAT prep at her school this summer, working with students who could truly benefit from that support. Saying yes to that opportunity felt instinctive, but also deeply personal.

It brought me back to where so much of my drive comes from. Growing up, I was often the one helping my family navigate systems they didn’t fully understand, whether that was translating, explaining, or figuring things out alongside them. Later, as a teaching assistant in college, I found fulfillment in helping others build confidence in subjects that once felt out of reach. Being able to reconnect with that part of myself through my MBA experience felt grounding. It reminded me that no matter how my career evolves, creating access and helping others understand will always be a part of who I am.

What has made this experience even more impactful is how these moments aren’t isolated; they’re constant. Through my peers, I’ve been exposed to new ways of thinking, new ambitions, and new definitions of impact. I’ve found myself asking deeper questions about what kind of leader I want to be and how I want to show up in the spaces I’m in. These relationships have pushed me to grow not just in confidence, but in clarity.

My MBA experience hasn’t just been about gaining new skills; it’s been about reconnecting with the parts of myself that I want to carry forward. It has shown me that growth isn’t just about moving upward, but about staying grounded in what matters.
And if there’s one thing I know I’ll take with me long after this program ends, it’s this: the most powerful part of this experience hasn’t been what I’ve learned, it’s who I’ve become because of it.

What is one piece of advice you would share with a prospective student – one sentence? Trust that your story is not something to overcome, but something that will set you apart, this space needs your perspective.