Real Humans: Rice University’s Jones Graduate School of Business, Full-Time MBA
Olaniyi Dada, Rice University’s Jones Graduate School of Business, Full-Time MBA Class of 2022
School and Program:
Hometown:
Houston, Texas
Olaniyi Dada, Full-Time MBA Class of 2022
Undergraduate Institution & Major:
Prairie View A&M University – Mechanical Engineering
Pre-MBA Work Experience:
I have worked at General Electric Oil and Gas and Baker Hughes focused on the oil field service sector. I worked in the industry for over seven years.
Why Business School? Why Now?
I needed to make a career transition from energy technical engineering to energy finance. After seven years of achieving several heights and positions within the engineering sector, I felt I had reached my highest potential within engineering. It was time to challenge myself and pivot to the energy finance sector with a career in investment banking. After several discussions with Rice Business students and alumni, I knew it was the right school for my desired transition.
Why did you pick your school/program? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I picked Rice Business specifically because of the intimate class size and close-knit culture and also the school is located in Houston, which is one of the most diverse cities in the country and the fourth largest city in the United States.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to your graduating class?
My most valuable contribution to my graduating class is to increase and improve the importance of diversity within the finance association. My goal is to generate more interest in finance careers such as Investment Banking, Private Wealth Management, etc. within the underrepresented minority students and ensure their paths to these finance careers are successful and impactful.
Fun fact that didn’t get included on your application?
I have a strong passion for music. I started drumming at the age 10 and have played for several local gospel artists and churches. I hope to become a music producer sometime in the future.
Post-MBA Career Interest:
Do your research and be specific on exactly what you hope to gain from the MBA program and have three to five top goals you want to accomplish while you are a student. Two years come around quickly, and you want to ensure you at least achieved your main objectives.
Advice to current prospective applicants:
After completing my MBA at Rice Business, I intend to become an investment banker at Bank of America. One of my highest aspirations is to advance diversity in the energy/finance industries. Therefore, I aim to develop within the scope of one firm and industry. By contributing to diversity advancement, I’ll be on my way to reaching my career goal.
What is your initial impression of the school’s students/culture/community?
The initial observation I made when I began at Rice Business was the overwhelming aspiration shared among my classmates. I was amazed by the diversity and candidness within the Rice Business community and the social and team-building events, such as Partio, that play a big part in bringing students from different backgrounds and cultures together.
About the Author
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