Class of 2023,
On behalf of the Class of 2022: congratulations, and welcome to Rice Business! We can’t wait to meet you. You’re about to kick off an incredibly high-value, transformative two years that’ll go by in a flash. I’ve included pointers below so you can hit the ground running.
Take advantage of as many opportunities as possible.
Our short time at Rice Business will have a greater impact on our careers than we now realize. Take advantage of as many opportunities as possible to make the most of it:
- Make friends.
- Explore different industries and job functions early.
- Network with classmates, alumni, second-years, and contacts at target companies.
- Grow your leadership capacity through Doerr Institute for New Leaders.
- Join clubs. A good starting point is one social club, affinity club, and professional club. Here’s what I started with:
- Professional: Marketing Association
- Affinity: Out & Allied
- Social: Wine Club
- Come to Partio every Thursday. Partio is JSA’s flagship social event series, starting in August. After a year of limitations, we’ve got big plans you won’t want to miss!
Start (preparing for) recruiting.
Recruiting for the internship of your dreams takes a lot of time and hard work. Students sink an average of ten hours a week into it (meeting with the Career Development Office, having coffee chats with alumni and company contacts, finessing a resume, applying, preparing for interviews, interviewing, attending conferences, and going to info sessions). Help your future self out by kicking off this process now. In August you’ll start working with the Career Development Office. Before then, research what industries MBAs go into, and consider what kinds of roles you’re open to.
Find balance.
Study, sleep, recruit, repeat. Throw some socializing in there, and you’ve got your modus operandi for year one. Figure out the right mix, and learn how to protect your time.
Go easy on yourself. Use resources available.
You’re a top-performer and a leader in your own right. Our academic program -- topped with competitive recruiting -- is taxing; you’re going to need to dig deep. You’ve probably experienced academic rigor before, but it likely wasn’t like this. There will be times during your first semester when you may feel overwhelmed, burned out, or behind. You’re not alone. Have perspective, and know that you have fantastic resources available to you. Don’t hesitate to utilize them:
- Student Programming Office (Adam and Andrew give the best advice.)
- Maria Johnson for academic success
- Professors
- Tutors (covered by Rice Business)
- Second-years
- Fellow first-years
- Counseling (gratis for students)
Champion belonging.
You belong here. Make sure your classmates know they do too. This can take many forms, like:
- Inviting an acquaintance to join your friend group for lunch
- Checking in with a classmate who’s been quiet lately
- Sticking up for others when the time comes
Championing belonging is what Rice Business and I stand for. You should too.
Consider me one of your first b-school friends.
Reach out anytime. Save my number, and shoot me a text or DM if you’d like. Whether you want to ask for advice on academics or recruiting, share a JSA suggestion, chat over coffee, or swap memes, I’d love to hear from you.
Again, congratulations, and welcome to Rice Business! By working hard and making the most of the next two years, you’ll grow as a leader. I look forward to meeting you soon.
Best,
Megan
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