Meet the Rice Jones MBA Class of 2018

Cecily Lynn Rivers

Rice University, Jones Graduate School of Business

Describe yourself in 15 words or less: I’m a human chameleon to any environment who has a passion for helping others and is an advocate for change.

Hometown: Memphis, TN

Fun Fact About Yourself: I was born in Honolulu, Hawaii (Army Baby)

Undergraduate School and Major: Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) Cum Laude graduate with a BBA in Business Management

Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation:

1. Hospital Corporation of America (HCA)- Recruiting Administrator (2015-2016)
2. Amazon, Inc. – Recruiting Coordinator (2016)
3. Cushion Employer Services- Human Resources Representative (2014-2015)

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: In my career at HCA, I was deemed one of two subject matter experts (SME) in job requisition development. Also, I was one of five trainers for new employees in the RA department out of a team of 60 people. As the SME in the area of requisitions, management trusted me to get many job postings created in a quick turnaround time, which is needed in a high volume recruiting segment like health care. Additionally, it meant that I was a trusted primary contact for minor or major issues recruiters may experience with the job posting during the recruitment process. As a team trainer, I was the first representation of the company as well as being versed in all areas of the recruiting process from developing the job post to getting candidates in the building for orientation. The growth of my responsibilities sparked my interest in pursuing an MBA so that I may transform my HR recruiting background into a more analytical HR role.

Looking back on your experience, what advice would you give to future business school applicants? First, define what business school experience you want and research the rankings, business program specific offerings and the geographical locations of each to make sure you select a school that is a true fit for you. For example, I know I do not enjoy cold weather so that eliminated a lot of top schools in the Northeast for me, but there were business schools in warmer areas of the country that fit the same level of prestige I was looking for in my MBA education.

Second, once you have done your research, try to narrow your list to 3-5 schools. The application process for top 25 MBA programs is not simple. They require a lot of time and preparation, especially if you are working a full time job. So it is better to excel and take the time on a few school applications you deem the best fit for you versus rushing through many school applications “just to get in.”

Lastly, for at least your top two choices you should prepare yourself to engage and travel (if required) to relevant recruiting events offered by those programs. The face-to-face knowledge you receive about the schools and connections you develop at these events will be crucial in your success during the application process. Be sure follow up with the people you meet, send a simple thank you email or text, and never be afraid to ask questions if someone makes it known that they are an available resource for you on this journey. I know that without the connections I made with the recruiting staff and several Rice MBA alumni, who were my cheerleaders and shoulders to lean on through my application process, I would not be in the position to put together these words of advice.

What led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA? When I stepped onto the campus of Rice University in October 2015, I got a comforting feeling in my spirit that Rice was the school that I was meant to attend to pursue my MBA. I traveled from Tennessee to several events where I had the opportunity to meet and interact with the recruiting staff, alumni and current students to get a true feel of the program. Those speaking engagements, along with research, led me to choose the Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business to pursue my MBA.

My decision wasbased on three key factors: challenging courses, diversity exposure and experiences, and the genuine “family feel” of the networking opportunities available within Rice community. In the process of earning an MBA at Rice these next two years, I believe that the teachings I will receive from world-renowned professors will reshape my mind to think in an enterprising, distinctive manner that will set me apart from my workplace peers. Also, I will be able to develop true understanding for different industries and cultural backgrounds from being on teams and social engaging with my 110 diverse, collaborative-competitive classmates, which is needed for the career that I plan to pursue upon completing my candidacy.

Tell us about your dream job or dream employer at this point in your life? My dream job at this point would be to acquire a senior level position in the HR area of change management or leadership and organization development with a Fortune 100 company. I feel that a position in one of these functional areas of HR will allow me to understand the true issues and concerns of the business and the people within the business. Having that knowledge tied with my values of being an advocate for change and helping others will allow me to work with the people of my chosen organization on areas that specifically focus on analyzing and creating a better workplace for them. Also, this position will have diverse standards of work and exposure to ample opportunities which will aid in fulfilling my end goal of being a Sr. VP of Human Resources or Chief Human Resources Officer.

What would you like your business school peers to say about you after you graduate from this program? After graduating from the MBA program at Rice in May 2018, I would like for my peers to say that I was a trusting confidant, at least one of their days was brightened by my smile, and that I am a genuine, caring person that they are happy to now call a life-long friend.