Belinda Moreira is an 2022 MBA Candidate at the Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice University. Prior to her time at Rice, Belinda worked as a Director of Community Engagement for a non-profit organization in Houston, Texas. During our conversation, Belinda spoke about her career journey and her decision to pursue an MBA. She also shared why she chose Rice, and some of the more meaningful opportunities she’s gotten during her MBA experience.
MBASchooled: What did you do before business school, and why did you choose to come to business school?
Prior to business school, I was the Director of Community Engagement at a nonprofit called Houstonians for Great Public Schools. I spent the 8 years before business school as an educator, nonprofit leader, and supporting community organizing efforts locally. I loved the work I was doing, but I knew that there were skills and knowledge gaps that I would need to gain before I could move into more senior roles in the education space.
I thought about different graduate programs, but in the end, I recognized that business school would prepare me to be a well-rounded leader and push me outside my comfort zone in the best way.
MBASchooled: Why did you choose to attend Rice?
Rice Business was always at the top of my list when I started the business school process. When I went through the MLT MBA Prep program, I talked with a lot of amazing schools and had to really break down what I wanted from an MBA program. In the end, I wanted a program where I would be able to have small class sizes, get to know everyone in my program, and have customized support from administration and staff.
I wanted to be in a place where I could feel like I was part of a small, intimate community with people in the room who were exceptional. Rice Business had all of this, and had the bonus of also being in Houston. I love my hometown, so I feel like I really did get everything I wanted and more with Rice.
MBASchooled: Now that you’ve been at Rice, is there a specific moment or highlight where you felt confident that you made the right decision?
During my first year, I was able to compete in the John Lewis Case Competition (JLCC) that was put on by Emory University. JLCC is the first of its kind, student-run case competition focused on racial justice. I was part of a 6-person team of Rice Business students and we were able to work on a racial justice issue within banking and the financial sector. It was so invigorating to be able to tackle big issues like these with a brilliant team who is as passionate as I am about social impact and systemic change. It was at this moment that I knew that Rice was the right decision.
Now, as the case competition has grown, the team that I worked on is now leading the Healthcare portion of the case competition program as a partner school with Emory. My experience has come full circle, and we hope to motivate more MBAs who are looking to do more in the racial justice space.
MBASchooled: Oftentimes, the word “culture” gets thrown around when talking about MBA programs. Can you characterize the culture at Rice? Can you share an example of an experience that you think personifies what this means?
Rice Business is truly a community where people are willing to go above and beyond to help each other. One instance that comes to mind is when Houston had a bad freeze that knocked out power for thousands. Rice did not lose power, and students and staff got together quickly to pull together and get sleeping cots and other needed resources to the Business School so students had somewhere to go to escape the cold and have a hot meal. It was so reaffirming that our campus and student leaders are always there to take care of other Rice Owls.
MBASchooled: Who is someone who has made a positive impact in your time in business school?
There have been a lot of people who have gone above and beyond to support my experience in business school. However, I am going to highlight Andrew Shaw. He was the advisor of our executive team for Rice Business Board Fellows. That is where I first met him, but since then, he is a person I know I can turn to when I need a question answered, when I need advice, and when I need someone to give me a pep talk. There were times when I would be doubting myself or worried about a decision I made. In those moments, Andrew Shaw was there in my corner to let me know that I would be successful no matter what.
MBASchooled: Now that you are a second year, what are some of the most important learnings you’ve gained in your time in business school?
First, one of my biggest learnings is that you cannot grow without pushing yourself into new, sometimes uncomfortable spaces. If you always stay in what you are good at or comfortable in, you will lose out on amazing potential opportunities. Second, if you have an idea, go and ask questions about making it happen. There have been so many times where it would have been easier for me to stay quiet instead of stepping up and talking about my own ideas. However, we do a disservice to ourselves and others by staying silent. You will also be surprised by the number of people who will be willing to help you on the way.
MBASchooled: Is there a specific program, experience, or opportunity that you’ve had at Rice that has been impactful and meaningful?
One of my favorite experiences at Rice has been taking the Action Learning Project (ALP) course offered to 1st years in the spring. We had an opportunity to bid on different consulting projects prior to our course starting. Then, based on what project we secured, we would meet our team, get to know the business we were helping, and start working on our recommendations. My team was phenomenal, and our project was challenging but rewarding. I learned a lot about organizational transformation and restructuring, and the hands-on learning approach was exactly what I needed to better understand everything I had been exposed to in business school so far.
MBASchooled: What advice do you have, for someone who is trying to think about an MBA as a means to accelerate their career?
Invest in yourself! The MBA process is a time for you to grow in so many ways, so be intentional with how you spend your time. Take time to talk to your network, connect with people who have already gone down this path, and ask as many questions as you can. Finally, get to the root of what you hope to gain but be open to new experiences and opportunities.
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