Rebecca Bustamante

About Rebecca

Class: 2026

Region: North America 

City: Herndon, VA 

Undergraduate Institution: Our Lady of the Lake University

Undergraduate Degree and Major: Bachelor of Arts in Speech and Drama

Pre-MBA Industry: Arts and Technology

Pre-MBA Company: Verisign Inc.

Pre-MBA Title: Senior manager

Desired Industry Post-MBA: Director or above 

Desired Job Function Post-MBA: Undecided

What has been the most surprising part of your Rice MBA experience? The most surprising part of my Rice MBA experience has been that I am maintaining my GPA. With a strong liberal arts education, I did not take many of the foundational accounting, math and science courses that the graduate program is building on. Even with the help of a tutor, I work hard to pass my classes. It’s always a nail biter until the grades post. 

What has been your favorite thing about your MBA experience so far? The Rice intensive learning experience has definitely been the highlight to date. It was very well designed and provided an opportunity to meet my cohorts face-to-face and learn from faculty onsite. I enjoyed walking around the campus during lunchtime, seeing the Berlin wall section, the native prairie botanical project and the adjacent white architectural sculpture. I took those memories back to Virginia with me.

What is the most important piece of advice you would give to someone considering the online MBA@Rice program? Be fearless! It won’t always be easy, but it will be worth it.