Jake Kaplan

Home country: United States

Home state: Pennsylvania

Undergraduate institution: Penn State University

Undergraduate degree and major (and minor, if applicable): Journalism

Pre-MBA industry: Media

Pre-MBA company: The Athletic

Pre-MBA title: Houston Astros beat writer

Desired job function post-MBA: Marketing

Degree specializations: Marketing

Student organization membership: Marketing Association, Technology Association, Other

Other committee: Global Food Experience Club

Officer: Incoming co-president of the Marketing Association

What has been the most surprising part of your Rice MBA? The wide variety of professional backgrounds represented in our cohort surprised me. It really enhances the classroom discussions and group work to have so many different experiences and perspectives present.

What has been your favorite thing about your MBA experience? The people. Rice Business truly is a tight-knit community. The smaller cohort size allows you to get to know all of your classmates, professors, and members of the faculty. I feel lucky to have gotten the opportunity to meet so many amazing people in my first year on campus.

What do you love most about Houston? My favorite thing about Houston is its incredible food scene, which includes so many different cuisines from across the globe and always features new exciting restaurants to try.

What is one piece of advice you would share with a prospective student? Commit to immersing yourself fully in the MBA experience, and you will get so much out of it.