In early December, Rice Business MBA students headed to Austin for a two day career trek designed to connect classroom learning with real world business environments across technology, innovation, and operations. What made this trek especially meaningful was that every visit represented a new relationship for Rice Business, built with the shared goal of creating access, insight, and opportunity for our students.
Over the course of the trek, students engaged with leaders and alumni across manufacturing, technology, media, real estate, and infrastructure, gaining a deeper understanding of how organizations operate, grow, and innovate in one of the country’s most dynamic business hubs.Day one began at the Tesla Giga Factory, where students received a behind the scenes look at large scale manufacturing and supply chain operations. For many, it was their first time seeing an American production line at this scale, and the experience left a strong impression. Current student Phuong Le (Class of 2027) shared, “This trek was incredibly helpful and enjoyable. It opened my eyes to how American manufacturing production lines operate, especially at companies like Tesla. The site visits were the highlight of the trip.”
The group then visited SXSW, where students toured the office, engaged in a working lunch, and participated in a case study led by Chief Commercial Officer Peter Lewis. The session challenged students to think creatively and strategically while learning how SXSW blends culture, technology, and business on a global stage.
The afternoon continued with a visit to Indeed Tower, featuring a conversation with senior leaders who shared insights into operations and innovation, including how AI tools like Career Scout are shaping the future of job search and talent matching. From there, students made their way to The Town Lake Company, where Rice Business alumnus Blake Bunger and the leadership team discussed real estate development, leadership, and growth in Austin’s evolving market.
The day concluded with an alumni happy hour, creating space for students to connect with Rice Business graduates across industries. These moments of informal conversation often become the most impactful, reinforcing the strength of our alumni network and the shared commitment to supporting students as they explore what comes next.
Day two brought the group to AMD, hosted by Rice Business alumnus Jonathan Ha. Students learned about AMD’s history, technology, and future direction, with highlights including a tour of the technology showcase and a hands-on experience with the COTA driving simulation. The trek wrapped up at Cloudflare, where students connected with teams across recruiting, business development, finance, and data engineering while learning how the company approaches scale, security, and performance.
Throughout the trek, students showed up with curiosity, professionalism, and genuine engagement. As Alex Bonnecaze (Class of 2027) reflected, “The Austin trek was equal parts interesting, informative, and fun. Highly recommend attending the Austin trek or any trek offered through Rice.” Chinaemelum Nnamani (Class of 2027) added, “It was heavily resourceful. A great opportunity to connect with industry professionals.”
Career treks like this one reflect the heart of Rice Business. They are about access, relationships, and helping students see themselves in spaces where innovation happens every day. I am grateful for the trust to build something new, proud of how our students represented Rice Business, and excited for what we will continue to create together.
If you’re interested in recruiting top MBA talent for your organization, hosting a trek, or otherwise engaging with the Career Development Office, please contact Tyler L. Hough, Director of Employer Engagement.
