Madhulika Annam

Rice University, Jones Graduate School of Business

“Compassion is my core; progress is my purpose.”

Hometown: Machilipatnam, India

Fun Fact About Yourself: I successfully completed a 13-month expedition at Bharathi Research Base, an Indian base in Antarctica and was recognized with the title “Polar Woman” for this. I worked in the capacity of manager for the ground station operations for ISRO at Antarctica.

Undergraduate School and Major: Bachelor of Technology in Avionics, major in Electrical and Communications Engineering and minor in Space and Satellite Technology

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), Senior Mission Operations Manager

What has been your favorite part of Houston so far? Why? Houston has been a place of inspiration and reflection for me, blending my love for science and nature in the most beautiful ways. Every visit to Space Center Houston and the museums feels like a walk down memory lane, taking me back to those thrilling moments of successful launches at ISRO. It’s not just nostalgia, but a reminder of the lessons learned and the drive for innovation that shaped me. Hermann Park has been my personal sanctuary in the city. Watching the sun set there, painting the sky in soft, golden hues, is pure magic and rejuvenates me. The quiet walks along its paths bring me a sense of calm, a chance to pause and reset. These moments of reflection often spark creative ideas, making the park not just a haven for relaxation but also a wellspring of inspiration.

Aside from your classmates and location, what was the one key part of the Rice Jones MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? Choosing Rice Business for my MBA was a decision that felt natural and right. The Global Field Experience (GFE) and Leadership ILE programs were standout elements that drew me to Rice. The opportunity to gain hands-on experience by working on real-world business challenges, coupled with the chance to understand leadership in action, offered a perfect blend of theory and practice. The support and warmth of the Rice alumni network left a lasting impression on me. Their willingness to offer insights and guidance, even in casual conversations, assured me that I’d be joining a community deeply invested in helping each other succeed. One of the aspects I’ve grown to appreciate the most is how seamlessly Rice integrates various business disciplines. The way courses interconnect, offering perspectives from marketing, finance and strategy, has been transformative for me. This holistic approach has helped me understand what makes a project successful from multiple angles. It’s an experience that has shaped my thinking and broadened my horizons in ways I didn’t anticipate.

The journey at Rice has truly changed me. Professor Koka’s strategy class, in particular, was a turning point. It awakened an entrepreneurial spirit in me — something I had never considered before coming here. This experience has not only expanded my skill set, but also inspired me to think beyond traditional career paths, fueling a passion for innovation and value creation.

What course, club or activity have you enjoyed the most so far at Rice Jones? The Competitive Industry Analysis course has been a game changer for me, completely transforming how I approach problems and understand competition. One of my favorite memories at Rice was the Diwali celebration, where students from all backgrounds came together to celebrate the festival of lights. It was a beautiful reminder of the inclusivity and warmth of this community — a true home away from home. I’m also incredibly grateful for the support I received in starting the Zen Zone Club, a space to raise awareness about stress, break the stigma around it, and share tools like meditation to help students thrive. Bringing this idea to life, inspired by the heartfulness meditation I learned from my mother, has been one of the most fulfilling parts of my Rice journey.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far? For someone with a very technical background who never imagined starting a business, my biggest accomplishment so far has been the transformation in my mindset. I now have two entrepreneurial ideas that I’m deeply passionate about and fully immersed in developing. This organic shift in perspective in understanding the significance of strategy, product differentiation, marketing, and financial planning has been incredibly rewarding. The process of piecing these elements together to build and sustain a startup has been both challenging and enriching.

More importantly, this journey has changed me as a person. I’ve learned to embrace trying new things, getting comfortable with failure, and seeing it as a stepping stone to growth. It’s also made me more open to differences, leading to deeper, more meaningful conversations. Along the way, I’ve honed my business communication and time management skills, which feels like an accomplishment in its own right.

What has been your best memory as an MBA so far? My best memory as an MBA student so far has been the Competitive Analysis and Strategy course during International Launch Week. In just one week, it broadened my thinking and made me start analyzing every company around me — what their strategy is, how effectively they implement it, and how they sustain it. I’m deeply grateful to Professor Balaji Koka for turning this into a brainstorming experience rather than just a class focused on concepts. This approach made the course so much more engaging and helped me reassess where I want to go post-MBA. It sparked my interest in entrepreneurship and gave me a greater appreciation for the effort that goes into running a business – beyond just stock prices. By the end of the course, I felt truly enriched by the wisdom involved in strategic decision-making, and it couldn’t have been a better start to my B-school experience.

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