Lakshmi Kannan

Hometown: Bangalore
Home State: Karnataka
Home Country: India
Previous Institution & Degree: Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS Pilani) (B.E. Electronics & Electrical Engineering)

Pre-MBA Industry: Technology
Pre-MBA Company: Texas Instruments
Pre-MBA Title: Lead Engineer
Desired Post-MBA Industry: Technology
Desired Post-MBA Function: Product Manager

Summer Internship Company: Dell
Summer Internship Title: Graduate Intern

Degree Concentration: Marketing and Strategic Management
Student Organization Membership: Consulting Club, Healthcare Club, Rice Business Board Fellows, Rice Indo-American Business Club (RIABC), Rice Marketing Club, Technology Club

What about the Rice MBA program has surprised you the most?
The humility of Rice alumni and the willingness to go beyond and help is what surprised me the most. One of the alumnus I met at a networking event, spent 2 hours over call to help me refine and rephrase my resume when I had expressed my concern that I felt my resume was too technical. Another alumnus  I reached out to guided me and gave me the required push to reach out and connect to people in my industry. The MBA journey is very overwhelming, particularly in the first semester and having the support and guidance of alumni anchored me and helped me steer through the journey from time to time.

What has been your favorite moment of your Rice MBA experience so far?
International Immersion was my favorite experience at Rice. It was a very intimate setting with all International students and gave us prelude into the MBA program. It is very difficult to choose a  favorite moment but I have thoroughly enjoyed all the course work, class interactions and case studies. It has been a great learning experience for me.

What is your favorite thing about and/or favorite spot in Houston?
I love the sunny days in Houston and the best part is that people in Houston are very friendly and inclusive.

In a sentence, what is the one piece of advice you have for prospective students?
My advice to prospective students is to believe in themselves and to be confident. I also want to assure them they just have to reach out and they will always get the guidance and support they need.