Tamer El-Maghrabi

Home Country: United States

Home State: TX

Undergraduate Institution: Ursinus College

Undergraduate Degree and Major (and minor, if applicable): Mathematics

Pre-MBA Industry: Banking

Pre-MBA Company: M&T BANK

Pre-MBA Title: Assistant Branch Manager & Assistant Vice President

Desired industry post-MBA: Oil & Gas

Desired job function post-MBA: Strategic Finance

Summer Internship Company: ZBRA AI

Summer Internship Position: Consultant & SEO Analyst

Degree Concentrations: Finance

Student Organization Membership: Beer Club, Energy Association, Finance Association

What has been the most surprising part of your Rice MBA? The most surprising part is how many people were just like me, making a career pivot into an industry they didn't have much experience in. A lot of us are in the same boat, and because of this, I've been able to forge meaningful relationships with my colleagues as we took on recruiting, coursework, and the uncertainty of figuring out where we fit in a new field together. There's a kind of honesty that comes from not having all the answers, and I found that Rice attracts people who are comfortable admitting that. Nobody's performing. Everyone's just working. That environment made it easier to take risks, ask questions I probably should have been embarrassed to ask, and grow faster than I expected.

What has been your favorite thing about your MBA experience? Partio every Thursday has been an amazing addition to every semester so far. Being able to connect with my colleagues outside of class has added a layer of depth to my relationships with everyone, and it has also opened my eyes to all the clubs, events, and people within the community. There is something about gathering outside of an academic setting that just makes conversations easier and more real. And come on, who doesn't love free, delicious food representing different cultures and backgrounds every single week? It sounds simple, but those Thursday afternoons have genuinely shaped how connected I feel to this program.

What do you love most about Houston? As an avid musician, there are so many events happening for independent artists to showcase their work. I've been downtown checking out jazz clubs and hip hop events that introduced me to a whole new community of people who share the same interests and passion for creating and sharing music. Houston has a creative scene that I genuinely did not expect, and it has made the city feel like home a lot faster than I thought it would. Plus, after a hard week of classes, there is nothing better than good vibes and a really cool venue to unwind in.

What is one piece of advice you would share with a prospective? Come in knowing what you want to get out of it, but stay open enough to let the people around you change how you think about getting there.