Michael Barnhart
PMBA '24
Hometown: Albuquerque
Home State: New Mexico
Home Country: United States
Undergraduate Institution: New Mexico State University
Undergraduate Degree and Major: Mechanical Engineer
Current Industry: Oil & Gas
Current Company: Halliburton Energy Services
Current Title: Senior Account Representative
Desired industry post-MBA: Finance - Investment Banking
Desired job function post-MBA: Energy Investment Banking Associate
Student Organization Membership:
- Finance Association
What has been the most surprising part of your Rice MBA experience?
Launch Week. As much as I thought I was prepared, the time commitment and amount of work involved in week 1 was a big surprise for me, and it didn't stop all semester. It didn't help that the Monday that Launch started I closed on my first house and left my wife to move us in on her own.
What has been your favorite thing about your MBA experience so far?
I have experienced a renewed outlook on what I am capable of. After 10 years in industry, I was settling into a nice routine and placement in the corporate progression plan. Rice opened my eyes to the possibility of what a pivot could provide my career. I have had lofty goals for my career since I was 23, but had a different picture of what that path looked like. I believe that I am more closely aligned with what my goals will actually take now than I was prior to entering Rice. I also have a renewed outlook on what I can get done in a day after working full time, going to school, and recruiting for IB.
What do you LOVE most about Houston?
I have experienced a renewed outlook on what I am capable of. After 10 years in industry, I was settling into a nice routine and placement in the corporate progression plan. Rice opened my eyes to the possibility of what a pivot could provide my career. I have had lofty goals for my career since I was 23, but had a different picture of what that path looked like. I believe that I am more closely aligned with what my goals will actually take now than I was prior to entering Rice. I also have a renewed outlook on what I can get done in a day after working full time, going to school, and recruiting for IB.
What is one piece of advice you would share with a prospective student?
Run your own race but know that you are never alone.