Networking and Leadership Opportunities

Source: https://business.rice.edu/rice-mba/full-time-mba/networking-and-leadership-opportunities Parent: https://business.rice.edu/

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Sofia Cormack

Assistant Director of Recruiting, Recruiting and Admissions

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Leonardo Hinojosa

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Gain Highly-Desired Skills and Connect With Business Leaders

Full-Time MBA students benefit from a variety of networking and leadership opportunities across industries. These experiences, seamlessly integrated into our MBA programming, foster both personal and professional growth.

Our tailored programs excel in developing the top skills in demand for MBA graduates — strategic thinking, problem-solving, leadership, and communication — as highlighted by a recent Bloomberg Recruiter’s survey. Additionally, our targeted MBA networking sessions help you expand your connections with business leaders.

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Networking and Leadership Opportunities

Student Clubs and Organizations

Rice Business offers over 30 diversity, professional and social clubs for students to join.

These clubs aim to help students develop leadership skills, learn about various professions, build stronger relationships with each other, and foster a sense of community. Clubs allow students to follow their passion or try something new. - Rice Business Board Fellows

The Rice Business Board Fellows is a year-long experiential learning program that matches talented, energetic and committed Rice MBA students with local nonprofit boards to serve as nonvoting board members.

Both students and organizations benefit from the Board Fellows program. Students gain leadership skills and nonprofit experience. Organizations can utilize student energy and ideas.

Applying is required, and matches are based on skills, background and organizational needs, as well as student interests. - Leadership Coaching

There are two coaching programs within the Full-Time MBA program offered to you. One is embedded into your first year (Team Learning Labs) and another is optional in your second year (Leader as Coach).

#### Team Learning Labs

This coaching program stands out for its year-long, team-based approach. Coaches work closely with student teams to support high performance, cohesion, inclusion and self-awareness.

Coaches use evidence-based practices to enhance psychological safety, communication and team feedback. The curriculum is designed to align with different stages of team development, beginning at launch week and continuing throughout the year.

This integrated team coaching model sets it apart from conventional MBA programs.

#### Leader as Coach Program

The Leader as Coach co-curricular program prepares second-year Full-Time MBA students to be more proficient at an essential component of leadership – the ability to coach and develop individuals and teams.

The program is organized into 18 synchronous classroom hours, 12 self-study hours and six self-scheduled practice coaching sessions with other classmates. In-person instruction takes place across three modules that are six hours each.

From the Leader as Coach program, students learn to:

Connect with people and create psychological safety.
Partner with others to identify developmental goals and improve performance.
Achieve sustainable change for individuals and teams.
Elevate leadership with self-coaching tools.

“This has been one of the most transformational programs that I have participated in. My leadership journey before now was always focused on execution and problem solving, with less emphasis on the needs and development of people around me. Now, I am more present in my conversations, keen on the feelings and messages that people share with me. This change has not only been impactful at work and social settings, but more importantly at home.”

Sujeev Chittipolu
Global Field Experience (GFE)

To succeed in a global economy, it is imperative to understand other cultures.

The Global Field Experience (GFE) is an adventurous, immersive program built into the core curriculum that opens minds and changes perspectives. Students apply what they learn in classes to consulting projects abroad. The GFE builds strong, experienced global partners and leaders, and is required for all MBA students.

Previous destinations include:

Chile
Argentina
Brazil
Peru
Colombia
Conferences and Case Competitions

Rice Business offers MBA students ample opportunities — including summits, conferences and competitions — to network with industry and business leaders. Some of the best examples are:

Past treks include:

Week on Wall Street (New York City)
Technology Trek (Austin, Seattle, Silicon Valley)
Energy Trek (Houston)
Health Care Trek (Houston)
The Washington Campus

Looking to expand your horizons and learn from the best? Check out The Washington Campus (TWC). TWC is a non-profit, non-partisan, higher education association based in Washington, D.C. that promotes and supports public affairs and public policy education for current and future organizational leaders. In 3- to 5-day educational and professional development courses, you'll meet with lobbyists and government officials to grow your network and learn essential skills as a business leader. With options in healthcare and general public policy, TWC sessions are scheduled year-round, with select dates that fit the Rice academic calendar. All MBA students are eligible to participate.

Interested in Rice Business?

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The Benefits of the Rice MBA Network

The benefits of the Rice Business network extend far beyond your time here. Our program ensures you build lasting relationships that support you long after graduation, whether you're launching a startup, transitioning industries or advancing in your current career.

Key benefits include:

Professional growth: The Rice network opens doors to unique job opportunities, collaborations, and partnerships that you may not find through traditional searches.
Mentorship and guidance: Connect with experienced professionals who can offer career advice, mentorship, and support.
Business partnerships:Collaborate with like-minded individuals on new ventures and innovations.

What gave me a sense of belonging is the clubs. I think that through these student clubs, we’re able to take our MBA experience and really make it our own.

Kory Li

FTMBA

Student Clubs