MBA Club Spotlight: Houston
Membership in a student club opens doors for MBAs that they may not find in the classroom alone. In addition to providing much needed social interaction that might fall by the wayside during a full schedule of work, school and family responsibilities, joining a student organization brings the lessons of your program into the larger community. Houston MBA student clubs abound at schools in the metro, offering valuable resources that expand the scope of students’ work and social experience through the course of their studies.
University of Houston C.T. Bauer College of Business (Bauer College)
Bauer College of Business prides itself upon preparing MBAs who specialize in real estate with numerous tools with which to build their careers. Membership in the Graduate Real Estate Club enables students to develop their professional and social networks through seminars, panel discussions led by real estate leaders and exposure to industry trends that they may not have in the classroom.
Similarly, “bridging the gap between the classroom and the boardroom” is the goal of the Bauer MBA Society. In addition to valuable networking and professional development events, the BMBA Society has a strong backbone in philanthropy. Members can bring about change within the Houston area through community outreach efforts and volunteer opportunities. Other events include panel discussions, socials and visits to company headquarters and offices in the Houston area.
National Association of Women MBAs
Mentoring, community involvement and active professional development activities are the foundation of Bauer’s chapter of the National Association of Women MBAs (NAWMBA), which was recognized in 2015 with the Chapter of the Year Award. Bauer’s NAWMBA is strongly involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and also spearheads outreach efforts in Houston area schools.
Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice University (Jones Graduate School)
For MBAs who have begun their careers in consulting, or who seek such a path, the Consulting Club at Jones is a perfect place to build or form a network. Through workshops, case competitions and events, students earn valuable experience in skills such as analysis and interviewing. Business development strategies are at the heart of each of the Consulting Club’s activities.
The Healthcare Club is open to MBAs who are working to apply their degrees in this sector. Through a collaborative effort between the business school and the Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, members get to explore career opportunities in insurance, medical device sales and healthcare banking consulting. Recruiting events, access to alumni, panel discussions and mentorship are all available with membership.
The Black Business Student Association (BBSA) has as its goal the empowerment of minority students both during their education and in their chosen professions. Through mentorship, networking, lectures and workshops, BBSA members carry the mission’s organization—education, evolution and engagement.
The University of Texas at Austin, McCombs School of Business
The McCombs School boasts a diverse group of student organizations, one of which is the Energy Finance Group (EFG). The field of sustainable energy finance is burgeoning, and membership in the EFG enables students to open themselves up to opportunities for developing their concentration in this area. MBAs engaging in research or practicums can gain valuable support here, along with access to industry leaders. These academic activities, along with social and professional events, allow EFG members to expand the range of their networks in various venues.
eQual MBAs serves gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered and questioning students and their supporters. Knowledge of the issues that affect this community is shared through networking events and seminars, in addition to community involvement. With the recent changes in the nation’s LGBTQ policies, it is more necessary than ever for business leaders to have an awareness of equality in the workplace, and eQual MBAs is helping to further this mission.
MBAs pursuing opportunities in the business realm of the entertainment and professional sports industries can find like minds in McComb’s Sports Entertainment and Media Association (SEMA). SEMA’s annual fall conference brings together industry experts and students for formal and informal sessions. This, along with networking and seminars throughout the year, enables SEMA’s members to explore the various fields that are open to them as a result of their studies.
MBAs and Multimedia provides members who are specializing in the use of videography, photography and digital media in business with a valuable venue for peer interaction. Through competitions, exploratory trips and visits to companies that employ digital media strategies, students in this organization gain access to Austin’s vibrant creative and business community.
Texas A&M University Mays Business School (Mays School)
The Mays School’s Global Business Brigade has as its mission the support of sustainable business initiatives across the world. Students who participate travel to Central America for a week-long collaboration with micro-entrepreneurs, widening their experience via exposure to the region’s business practices and culture.
Those seeking career possibilities in the financial advisory field can hone their skills with membership in the Financial Management Association (FMA). Students in the FMA collaborate with professors and practitioners in the field through events and projects in addition to competitions and networking events.
About the Author
Maggie Boccella
Maggie Boccella, a lifelong resident of Philadelphia, is a freelance writer, artist and photographer. She has consulted on various film and multimedia projects, and she also serves as a juror for the city's annual LGBTQIA Film Festival.
