Myron Stout

Hometown (City and State): Tulsa, OK

Undergraduate School and Major: University of Oklahoma, B.S. Mechanical Engineering; University of Oklahoma College of Law, J.D. 

Employer and Job Titles:
Shell Oil Company, Legal Counsel

1.      What led you to pursue an MBA? Since graduating law school in 2007, I've been fortunate to work with a number of innovative inventors in collaborative environments. Over time, I've found myself more involved, and more interested, in the important decisions that normally occur after securing the intellectual property. Even in the short amount of time that has passed since starting my MBA, I've been able to provide more well-rounded advice that takes into account the full economic drivers behind the initial idea.          

2.      Why did you choose Rice for your professional MBA? I looked at other top business schools around the country, but couldn't justify giving up a good salary for two years to pursue a full-time MBA. Around the same time that I was actively searching for an MBA program, my wife and I had fallen in love with the diverse international culture that Houston offers and decided to build our family and career here. After visiting the campus, and talking with alumni and current students, I came to the conclusion that Rice offers the best MBA program in the region with a solid reputation among the professional community. 

3.      What has been a highlight of the program? The faculty at the Jones School is simply outstanding. There are moments in almost every class when you can sense how passionate the professor is about the course material. That enthusiasm in the subject is definitely contagious and has inspired me to learn as much as possible from the professors while I'm here.  

4.      What has surprised you about the journey so far? Entering an MBA at Rice, I have to admit that I expected this program to open doors to opportunities that didn't previously exist. However, I didn't anticipate that it would happen so fast. The alumni, administration and students truly view the Jones School as a family, always willing to help out a “fellow Owl.” I find myself on campus much more often than expected, whether it's to meet with professors and fellow students, take our daughters to swim lessons, or attend an interesting speaker event or forum.      

5.      What advice do you have for prospective students? The strength of the Rice MBA network is truly valuable and shouldn't be underestimated by any prospective student. If you see a Rice MBA alumni/student/faculty, don't hesitate to reach out.