Zichan Zhuang

Home Country: United States

Home State: TX

Undergraduate Institution: University of Rochester

Undergraduate Degree and Major (and minor, if applicable): B.A. Economics, Mathematics

Pre-MBA Industry: Finance/ Banking

Pre-MBA Company: HSBC

Pre-MBA Title: Credit Portfolio Manager

Desired industry post-MBA: Finance

Desired job function post-MBA: Investment Banking

Summer Internship Company: Bank of America

Summer Internship Position: Investment Banking Summer Associate

Degree Concentrations: Energy, Finance

Student Organization Membership: Energy Association, Finance Association, Other

Other Committee: Rice Business Student Association; Rice Energy Case Competition

Officer: RBSA: CDO Chair;
RECC: Competition Excellence and Treasury Chair

What has been the most surprising part of your Rice MBA? How possible it is to pursue two paths at once. At Rice, while the finance association and CDO supported my pivot into investment banking, LILIE supported my entrepreneurial side allowing me to start and build my business. I expected tradeoffs, but the structure here made both tracks reinforce each other.

What has been your favorite thing about your MBA experience? The people. Classmates across both 1Y and 2Y are genuinely supportive, whether it's recruiting, classwork or socializing. Alumni are also equally accessible and candid. And of course, bonding over $1.25 beers at Valhalla with classmates made the experience fun, memorable and a great way to connect outside the classroom.

What do you love most about Houston? What I love most about H-town is the rare balance it strikes between robust economic opportunities and a truly reasonable cost of living. Beyond the business landscape, the city boasts an unmatched cultural diversity that is best experienced through its food scene covering everything from world-class Texas BBQ and Tex-Mex to incredible and authentic Chinese, Exotic Indian cuisine and so much more. It might sound cliche, but Houston genuinely feels a place where the American Dream is still very much alive and attainable.

What is one piece of advice you would share with a prospective? Keep an open mind and explore your options rather than pigeonholing yourself, start your networking early if investment banking or consulting is the goal, and always remember to have fun and grab a few beers with your cohort at Valhalla