Welcome from the Jones Student Association for Executives
Hello EMBA Class of 2024,
Welcome to the Executive MBA program at Rice Business!
Our first year was a great experience, something that we’ll never have again and would never want to miss. Starting with the Residency Forum you have a perfect opportunity to connect with your classmates and our class of ‘23 as well. The unwavering commitment from the university, faculty, and administration has emphasized the community aspect of Rice University. In reflecting upon a transformative year, we want to share this advice with you about what lies ahead:
Demands on your schedule are going to level up for the next two years, most intensely during your first semester. Time will become your most precious asset, so one of the best things you can do now in anticipation of starting this MBA program is to enjoy the rest of the summer after you complete SPO’s onboarding checklist. You should also make plans to avoid other commitments outside of work and family. You’ll settle into a groove, but it will seem like drinking from a fire hose at first. Give yourself the space to figure things out in your own way and time.
The most successful approach to managing the EMBA grind is tackling the semester two weeks at a time. There is no real benefit to getting ahead of the course calendar. Focus instead on keeping up individually and staying on track as a team. The workload for each class weekend varies dramatically, so take advantage of comparatively “light” off-weeks to recharge and devote extra attention to your life outside of campus.
It is very tempting to be focused entirely on grades and miss opportunities to network and build relationships. Be aware of this so that you take time to build relationships that will serve you well, long after grades are long forgotten. Make time to learn the concepts, do your work to the best of your ability, and enjoy the ride with your team and class. You’re all in this together.
Find opportunities to engage with each person in your 2024 cohort. Realistically you may only get to build close relationships with a half of the class outside your assigned team in the first semester. Keep at it all two years, and in the summer! Getting to know everyone in your class will be one of the most rewarding aspects of your first year at Rice. Think, eat and drink together – your interactions with your classmates will enrich the entire MBA experience, and these individuals will become a lifeline for a lifetime. Make time after classes for the inevitable happy hours after each class day. In five years you won’t remember your grade in a class, but someone in this class will change your life. You need to find them.
Engage with as many of your fellow EMBA students from the Class of 2023. We have just experienced what you will be going through, and we are happy to help you navigate the larger Rice University MBA community and yes, time flies! We promise to set up some joint activities so we can all get to know one another better.
Please reach out to us any time with questions! The entire EMBA Class of 2023 and the Jones Student Association for Executives look forward to meeting you very soon.
Sincerely,
Lara Adesokan & Kevin Doffing
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