Khadir Abdullah

Professionals - Weekend
Current Industry/Job: Software Engineer
From: Dallas, TX

Favorite quote and why:

"Necessity is the mother of invention" - Plato. Why this quote? Because I like innovation and entrepreneurship and believe that the difficult problems beget innovative solutions.

If you could choose anyone, who would you pick as your mentor and why?

Elon Musk so that I could learn how to innovate technology that serves a purpose while creating products people love. Also, a guest ride in a Tesla wouldn't be too bad either.

Best memory from your first year in the MBA program:

My favorite memory is laughing at all the jokes and memes in the class GroupMe. The comic relief helps get you through long Saturdays.

What story does your family always tell about you?

When I was about two years old, I was in Washington D.C. with my family for a family reunion. We were going on a tour of the city, seeing the monuments. My grandpa was holding me, then he put me down for a second. When he turns around to pick me up again, I'm nowhere to be found. They can't find me, everyone panics. My parents are freaking out. When I'm finally found, I'm halfway up the stairs to the Lincoln Memorial.

What advice would you like to provide incoming students?

My advice would be stay humble and hungry. Putting in a little extra effort can go a long way. Don't shy away from constructive dialogue - don't be afraid to share a differing opinion, and at the same time listen to your teammates even when they disagree.

Any additional unique facts you would like to share:

I went to Rice as an undergrad (computer science), so this is my second tour! In fact, when I graduate in 2017, it'll be the 10-year anniversary of my undergraduate graduation.