At Rice Business, career development is more than a service. It’s a partnership. That spirit of collaboration is clear in our growing relationship with Republic Services, a leading environmental services company and a valued recruiting partner for our MBA students.
Meg Luther, a talent leader at Republic Services, has built meaningful connections across our community, from Consortium and Forté events to one-on-one career chats at national MBA conferences. For Meg, Rice Business students consistently bring something special to the table.
“We’ve consistently met high-caliber, values-driven talent through Rice Business,” Meg shares. “The program produces leaders who are not only smart and prepared, but also collaborative and grounded.”
Those values, collaboration, grounded leadership, and strategic thinking, are exactly what Republic looks for in candidates for its General Manager Accelerated Program (GMAP). This post-MBA leadership pipeline offers early ownership of high-impact work, including full P&L responsibility within two years.
But the relationship goes beyond placements and résumés. It reflects shared values and long-term investment. According to Meg, the experience of recruiting at Rice is marked by professionalism, preparation, and care, both from students and from the Career Development Office.
“Whether it’s their thoughtful check-ins or how they champion their students behind the scenes, the CDO team makes every interaction personal and productive,” she says. “They truly invest in student and employer success.”
One memorable highlight from the 2024 recruiting season was connecting with Rice MBA candidates Joyce Payne and Pedro Morales. Both approached the process with a rare mix of patience, poise, and intention, staying engaged over several months of recruiting conversations with Republic’s team.
“They showed maturity and confidence in how they networked, prioritizing meaningful in-person conversations and following up with thoughtful virtual interactions,” Meg notes.
While the right internship match wasn’t available for Joy this year, her impact was lasting. She was recognized by Republic’s leadership team as an honorable mention—an acknowledgment of her professionalism and presence—and encouraged to stay connected for future opportunities. It’s a reminder that even when the timing isn’t perfect, the relationship still is.
For students considering careers in environmental services, Meg offers a clear message: Republic Services isn’t looking for someone to just manage waste. They’re looking for leaders who want to make an impact.
“Know your ‘why’ and be able to connect it to the work we do,” she advises. “We can teach you the technical side, but we can’t teach drive or cultural fit.”
And for first-year MBAs? Expect your internship to be more than a summer project. Republic’s roles are designed to challenge, stretch, and prepare students for real leadership, solving complex, data-driven business problems with real-world implications.
As our engagement with Republic Services continues to evolve, from conference networking to virtual collaboration to on-campus recruiting in 2025, we are proud to highlight this partnership as an example of how strong relationship management opens doors for students today and creates pathways for leadership tomorrow.
