Kyle Zarosky

Rice University, Jones Graduate School of Business

“Native Houstonian, husband, and father; striving to inspire my kids no dream is too big to chase.”

Hometown: Houston, Texas

Fun Fact About Yourself: In 2022, I attended the World Grand Sumo wrestling tournament in Tokyo, Japan.

Undergraduate School and Major: Southwestern University, Physics

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: United States Marine Corps – Infantry Officer

What has been your favorite part of Houston so far? Why? This is a difficult question, as my family and I recently moved back to Houston from living in Hawaii. However, Houston is certainly one of the most underrated cities in the country! The diversity of people and cultures within Houston are the primary drivers for what makes the city special. Additionally, the enthusiasm that surrounded the Astros and Texans during their playoff runs this last year ignited energy throughout the town.

Aside from your classmates and location, what was the key part of the Rice Jones MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? One of the key decisive factors in choosing Rice Business was the opportunity to focus on energy-specific electives within the curriculum. The specialized energy concentration at Rice Business prepares students for careers in oil and gas and energy transition professions. Given that Houston is known as the Energy Capital of the world, the chance to specialize in this industry was crucial for my career aspirations.

What course, club or activity have you enjoyed the most so far at Rice Jones? One of the most impactful experiences at Rice Business has been my involvement with the Finance Club. The club’s collaboration with the Career Development Office, combined with the personalized preparation for recruitment into investment banking roles, has been crucial to my success in securing an upcoming summer internship.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My greatest career accomplishment combines a set of personal and professional milestones. While aspiring to be an Infantry Officer in the Marie Corps, graduating from the Infantry Officer Course marked a pivotal achievement for my family. With a challenging 40% attrition rate, the course demanded effective decision making, communication, and drive for action in highly stressful situations. This goal was further intensified as I navigated the challenges of attending the birth of my first child during the looming pandemic in March of 2020. The combination of these events makes it my most notable career achievement to date.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far? The highlight of my MBA journey so far has been the expansion of my Houston-based professional network. This achievement goes beyond any professional and academic milestones, as the relationships developed within the program will exceed any academic accomplishments I have made thus far.

What has been your best memory as an MBA so far? My most cherished MBA memory to date is bringing my family and nephews onto the football field during a game to be honored as the veteran of the week. The thoughtful consideration and care shown by the Rice administration not only makes service members feel appreciated, but also fosters a culture that accommodates additional considerations students may have.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into the Rice Jones MBA program? For prospective applicants pursuing admission into the Rice Business MBA program, my advice is to showcase your unwavering dedication to the Rice community. As a top 20 MBA program, setting yourself apart from other competitive applicants requires demonstrating a sincere desire to integrate yourself into the Houston community. Strengthening your application with alumni recommendations and developing genuine plans to contribute to the Houston community post-graduation can significantly improve your chances of acceptance.

DON’T MISS: MEET THE RICE JONES MBA CLASS OF 2025