Sierra Fredenrich
FTMBA '26
Home Country: United States
Home State: TX
Undergraduate Institution: St. Edward's University
Undergraduate Degree and Major (and minor, if applicable): International Business
Pre-MBA Industry: Technology
Pre-MBA Company: Canonical
Pre-MBA Title: Global Team Lead - IoT Account Development
Desired industry post-MBA: Technology
Desired job function post-MBA: Product Marketing Manager
Degree Concentrations: Marketing, Strategic Management
Student Organization Membership: Beer Club, CleanTech Association, Consulting Association, The Consortium, The Adam Smith Society, Energy Association, Entrepreneurship Association, Forte, Golf Club, Latin Business Student Association, Jones Student Association (JSA or JSAP), Rice Business
Officer: First Year Representative: Rice Business Women’s Organization, Women In Leadership Conference, Rice Energy Finance Summit, Technology Association,
Anticipated 2nd year roles:
Vice President RBSA, Finance Executive Chair Women In Leadership Conference, Technology Association President
What has been the most surprising part of your Rice MBA? As someone with a background in business I greatly underestimated the course load of the program. It's a lot of materials through to us at once, and feels overwhelming at times. I thought this would feel like riding a bike, you know classes and readings, but what I didn't expect was how quickly I'd have to say no to various opportunities in the program to stay balanced with my course materials.
What has been your favorite thing about your MBA experience? The passion and excitement of my peers to enhance their opportunities as a community. It directly contributes to the overall camaraderie of the experience, and attitude of student outcomes from test scores to job placements. Everyone is so willing to lend a helping hand to their peers to continue enhancing their MBA experience. Nothing is good enough to them, but that means we're trying to leave it even better for the classes that follow us.
What do you love most about Houston? It feels like a small city when you're in various neighborhoods and there's always something new to try.
What is one piece of advice you would share with a prospective?
Do your pre-mba Coursera materials in May!