Panpim Lohachala

Hometown: Chiang Rai
Home State: Chiang Rai
Home Country: Thailand
Previous Institution & Degree: Chulalongkorn University (B. Eng. in Nano Engineering)

Pre-MBA Industry: Oil & Gas
Pre-MBA Company: Schlumberger
Pre-MBA Title: Senior Field Engineer
Desired Post-MBA Industry: Energy
Desired Post-MBA Function: Corporate Finance

Summer Internship Company: CenterPoint Energy
Summer Internship Title: Financial Analyst

Degree Concentration: Energy and Finance

Student Organization Membership: Blockchain Technology Club, Consulting Club, Energy Club, Finance Club, Rice Business Women’s Organization, Rice Energy Finance Summit (REFS), Technology Club

Student Organization Leadership:
Energy Club, Officer
REFS 2018, Committee Member

What about the Rice MBA program has surprised you the most?
The amount of help and support I have been getting from all around me - both within the Jones school, the broader Rice network, and the alums. It has been moving to see how 'help is always given to those who ask for it', for major hurdles like Harvey, to recruiting support, to help with course works. I now completely believe that I can count on the support system around me for anything I need to face during my 2 years here, and beyond.

What has been your favorite moment of your Rice MBA experience so far?
When I worked for REFS and Women in Leadership conferences. Those were the moments when I realized that we were not just people trying to get an MBA, advancing our degree, and getting amazing job offers, but we are here to spread our knowledge, our experience and make an impact in every way we can. It's nice to see the real-time effect of those impact being realized in the forms of active discussions among the people in the areas that I care about. The compliments on how well we put together an event are also a nice confidence boost.
 

What is your favorite thing about and/or favorite spot in Houston?
THE FOOD. Houston has one of the most diverse and expansive culinary selections I have experienced. And I have been to a lot of cities around the word, and within the US. I have been here close to a year, and I still have not even reached the mid-point of my must-try restaurants in Houston. That might also be because the list keeps growing!

In a sentence, what is the one piece of advice you have for prospective students?
Be curious, and feed that curiosity with as much information and knowledge you can find - this is true for both before and during your MBA.