Samyukta Jhavar

Home country: United States

Home state: Texas

Undergraduate institution: University of Texas at Austin

Undergraduate degree and major (and minor, if applicable): Bachelor of Arts, Plan II

Pre-MBA industry: Medicine/healthcare

Pre-MBA company: Baylor College of Medicine

Pre-MBA title: Medical student

Desired industry post-MBA: Medicine/healthcare

Desired job function post-MBA: Physician

Degree specializations: Healthcare, coordinated degree (MBA/MD, MBA/ME, MBA/MS)

Student organization membership: Rice Business Women's Organization, Other

Other committee: Rice Business Medical Doctors

What has been the most surprising part of your Rice MBA? As I reflect, the most surprising part of my Rice MBA is how much I have been able to learn not only from my professors but also from my classmates and peers. My classmates have unique and varied perspectives and professional backgrounds. Through them, I have been able to learn about a multitude of industries and processes, like financial technologies, artificial intelligence, and clean energy--all of which I previously knew very little about. Being in a learning environment that brings together a diverse mix of skill sets and viewpoints has helped foster my curiosity, exercise my critical thinking, and encourage significant creativity in problem-solving. For example, while studying cases and analyzing industries, I have been able to hear first-hand accounts from fellow group members who have real-life expertise in the relevant sectors and operations. My classmates and peers have helped challenge me and push me in positive ways.

What has been your favorite thing about your MBA experience? My favorite thing about my MBA experience so far is how much I have learned through my coursework. For example, my core finance class challenged me to apply mathematical models to real-life financial scenarios--a skill that I never thought I would be able to learn or practice. Prior to starting the MBA, I had only a vague idea about what a stock or bond was, but after just one semester I was carrying out higher-level finance calculations related to the cost of capital and risk. Additionally, my Business of Healthcare elective has been one of my favorite courses. Through case dissections and class discussions, I was able to appreciate the complexities of commonly encountered operational challenges within the healthcare sector and more deeply understand the relationship between value, cost, and quality in healthcare--all of which I hope to apply in my career one day.

What do you love most about Houston? I have lived in several different countries and cities throughout my life, but Houston has grown to be my favorite, largely because of its deep-rooted sense of community. While training in the Texas Medical Center for the past three years, including the Harris Health hospitals and community clinics, I have seen the ways in which the Houston community stands up for and supports its members.

For instance, in times of crisis, whether a natural disaster or a global pandemic, the people of Houston have looked after one another. During the COVID pandemic, hospitals and clinics concerted their efforts to care for those affected while also working to ensure that timely interventions were taken to inform and protect the larger community. During the 2021 freeze, my own classmates shared supplies and resources, even opening their homes for one another.

The city is rich in diversity of culture and thought, which only serves to strengthen its sense of community. In fact, during my studies at Rice, I have seen a similar sense of camaraderie and welcoming that parallels the spirit of Houston as a whole.

What is one piece of advice you would share with a prospective student? Be curious and stay open to a passion for continued learning.