Kyle Zarosky

Rice University, Jones Graduate School of Business

“Father of three and Marine veteran striving to inspire my kids that anything is possible.”

Hometown: Houston, Texas

Fun fact about yourself: Last year, my family and I built a backyard chicken coop. We now have three free-range backyard hens helping us fight rising egg prices.

Undergraduate School and Degree: Southwestern University, Bachelor of Science in physics

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? United States Marine Corps, Infantry Officer

Where did you intern during the summer of 2024? Barclays, Investment Banking, natural resources — Houston, Texas

Where will you be working after graduation? Barclays, Investment Banking, Natural Resources Associate

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School:

• President, Jones Parents and Families Club
• EVP, Rice Business Veterans Association
• Sponsorship Chair, Rice Veterans Business Battle
• SRS Distribution Scholar
• 5U Kids Soccer Coach

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? Aside from winning the 100-meter race to help my team win the 2024 Owl Olympics, my proudest achievement in business school is raising over $15,000 in corporate donations for Rice’s Veterans Business Battle (VBB). VBB is the largest student-led pitch competition for veteran entrepreneurs, directly funding opportunities for veteran-owned startups. This role allowed me to not only give back to the veteran community but also gain low-risk exposure to building partnerships, securing funding and driving meaningful impact within the Houston community.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? One of my proudest professional achievements was becoming a father while completing the Marine Corps Infantry Officer Course. I almost didn’t make it through the course, which is known for its high attrition rate, after I suffered a health setback. However, I fought through recovery, received a waiver to re-enroll and successfully completed the course, all while welcoming my first child midway through my second attempt. This experience reinforced my belief that no goal is too lofty and that, with the right mindset, anything is possible.

Why did you choose this business school? I chose Rice Business because it offered the ideal combination of location, industry focus and veteran support. As a father and native Houstonian, returning to the energy capital of the world was key to pursuing a career in energy finance and ensuring my family’s happiness. Rice’s strong ties to the energy sector and access to industry leaders created the perfect environment for both networking and facilitating my transition from military to civilian life.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? My favorite MBA professor is Al Danto, senior lecturer in entrepreneurship. Al has a unique way of simplifying the complexities of entrepreneurship and business acquisitions into actionable steps for students to utilize. Beyond the classroom, Al has helped students organize 11 consecutive Veterans Business Battle competitions, demonstrating his dedication to supporting the veteran community. Al’s expertise, mentorship and hands-on approach have played a major role in Rice Business being ranked the No. 1 graduate entrepreneurship program for six straight years.

What was your favorite course as an MBA? My favorite MBA course was Al Danto’s Enterprise Acquisition class because he made the process of buying a business straightforward and actionable. The course broke down everything from finding and valuing a company to structuring deals and identifying potential risks. The class was especially valuable as it provided a clear, practical framework for all students, whether they were interested in starting their own business or gaining a better understanding of the mergers and acquisitions process for investment banking.

What was your favorite MBA event or tradition at your business school? My favorite MBA event at Rice is the Veterans Business Battle. VBB is a student-led competition that supports veteran entrepreneurs by giving them the opportunity to pitch their startups, secure funding and connect with mentors. VBB is exactly the experience I was looking for in an MBA program. The event not only supports the growth of veteran-owned companies, but also highlights the impact of the Houston community.

Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why? Looking back on my MBA experience, the one thing I’d do differently is get to know my classmates better. Much of my time was spent securing post-graduation employment, preparing for class and making the most of my time with family. While I’m proud of the effort I put in both professionally and personally, I wish I had invested more time in building stronger, lasting relationships with my classmates along the way.

What is the biggest myth about your school? The biggest myth about Rice Business is that the academics, job recruiting, and overall life will be too much to handle. While the academics are challenging and very theoretical, the fast-paced environment teaches you how to take on life’s challenges and continuously pursue your ambitions. By prioritizing your time and staying organized, Rice sets you up for success not only during school but also after graduation.

What did you love most about your business school’s town? Houston is a massive city, but being located at Rice made everything much more convenient. Its central location helped me avoid much of Houston’s crazy traffic, and I could easily attend events like Astros and Texans games, the rodeo, and even monster truck shows. Additionally, with free student admission to Rice sporting events, my family and I enjoyed several basketball and baseball games — spending the majority of our time at the bounce house station or in the face painting line.

What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What insights did you gain from using AI? This year, Rice Business launched its inaugural course on Introduction to GenAI for Business Applications, taught by AI expert Kathleen Perley. The class blended theory with hands-on experience, covering AI tools like GPT, advanced imagery and voice technologies. One key takeaway for me was learning to build an AI wrapper to integrate AI into everyday decision-making. I applied this framework to design my remaining MBA course schedule and to automate tasks like creating grocery lists and repurchasing household goods. It was a valuable opportunity to experience the practical impact of AI and how I can use it both personally and professionally.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? I most admire Shiv Patel. After completing medical school to fulfill his parents’ wishes, Shiv realized that becoming a doctor wasn’t his true passion. He boldly chose to pursue an MBA and follow his personal calling into investment banking. Shiv’s ability to recognize and act on his true desires is not only commendable, but an action that deeply resonates with me. I, too, faced a similar crossroad, initially pursuing a career in engineering before answering my calling to serve in the Marine Corps. Shiv’s courage to pursue what truly fulfills him is something I deeply respect.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list? The following are my top two professional goals I hope to accomplish in the next five years:

• Lead the entire process of an energy company acquisition. This goal involves mastering the skills and proficiency required to take a deal from pitch to closure, while also earning the trust of both colleagues and clients to lead the process.
• Found a nonprofit organization to support veterans in the Houston community as they transition from military to civilian life. This initiative will focus on providing family resources, professional mentorship and networking opportunities to help veterans successfully navigate the next phase of their careers.

What made Kyle Zarosky such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2025?

“Kyle Zarosky has been an invaluable addition to the MBA Class of 2025, embodying the qualities of perseverance and leadership and demonstrating an unwavering commitment to both his peers and his family. His ability to balance the rigorous demands of an MBA program with his dedication to investment banking recruiting, his leadership within the veterans association, and his role as a devoted father speaks volumes about his character and work ethic.

One of Kyle’s greatest accomplishments during his time at Rice Business has been his success in investment banking recruiting. In an incredibly competitive landscape, Kyle secured 14 first-round interviews out of 18 applications, with 10 progressing to second rounds. Despite facing a challenging setback when a verbally promised opportunity fell through, Kyle remained calm, resilient and proactive — ultimately securing an internship at Barclays, where he will be returning full-time. His ability to navigate the high-stress environment of IB recruiting week with determination and focus is a testament to his professionalism. Beyond his own success, Kyle has also been a resource for his peers, generously sharing his insights and helping others navigate the recruiting process.

Kyle’s contributions to the Rice Business Veterans Association have also left a lasting impact on the community. His leadership played a key role in securing over $15,000 in sponsorships for the Veterans Business Battle, and he has dedicated significant time to mentoring first-year MBA students within the veterans and finance clubs. His values, through his commitment to service and mentorship, reflect those of great business leaders.

Beyond his professional and academic achievements, Kyle is also an exceptional family man. As president of the Jones Parents and Families Club, he has been a steadfast advocate for students balancing MBA life with family responsibilities. In April of last year, he and his wife welcomed their third child, yet Kyle remained fully engaged in both his studies and his community. He made it a priority to attend every chapel service at his oldest child’s school and is now taking his family to Disney — a well-earned break after an intense year. His ability to excel in all aspects of life is nothing short of inspiring.

Kyle’s blend of professional ambition, leadership and unwavering dedication to his family makes him an outstanding representative of Rice Business. He has not only set a high bar for excellence but has also enriched the MBA experience for those around him. I have no doubt that he will continue to make a meaningful impact in his career and community for years to come.”

Ashley McTaggart
Senior Associate Advisor
Career Development Office at Rice Business

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