In this Real Humans: Alumni, we meet Kyle Zarosky, who chose Rice Business as his next step after serving in the United States Marine Corps. After consulting with other recently separated veterans, he understood that an MBA would enable him to pivot into and succeed in the civilian world. Here he shares his valuable insights into pursuing a career in business as a veteran.
Kyle Zarosky, Rice Business MBA ’25, Investment Banking Associate at Barclays
Age: 30
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Southwestern University, B.S. in Physics
Graduate Business School: Rice University Jones Graduate School of Business, Class of 2025, MBA with a finance concentration
Pre-MBA: Infantry Officer, United States Marine Corps
Post-MBA: Investment banking associate, energy investment banking at Barclays
Why did you choose to attend business school?
When I decided it was the right time to leave the U.S. Marine Corps, I spoke with several recently separated veterans to understand the best path forward. Through those conversations, it became clear that business school would not only position me for long-term success, but also provide access to opportunities and networks to accelerate my career. An MBA offered a structured way to pivot into the civilian world, while building the technical and connective skills to succeed outside the military.
Why Rice Business? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
Rice Business offered the ideal combination of location, industry focus and veteran support. As a father and native Houstonian, returning home was important to me, and Rice Business was the perfect long-term choice. Coming back to the energy capital of the world also allowed me to pursue a career in energy finance while ensuring my family’s happiness. Rice’s strong ties to the energy sector and access to industry leaders created the ideal environment for networking and for a successful pivot from military to civilian life.
What about your MBA experience prepared you for your current career? How do you feel that your MBA has been an asset when it comes to navigating new challenges, such as AI?
The Rice Business MBA prepared me for life outside of the military and helped me develop the technical skills needed to succeed in my next endeavor. Balancing recruiting, coursework and family life required a high level of organization and time management — skills I rely on every day in investment banking. Recruiting alone was a fast-paced, four-month process that demanded preparation and consistency. Staying organized was the single most important factor, and it remains a critical skill in my role today.
Rice also took a balanced approach to AI. Professors emphasized building technical skills the “old-fashioned way,” while encouraging integration of AI tools. That dual approach helped me establish a strong technical foundation while learning how to leverage AI’s capabilities in today’s evolving technological world.
What was your internship during business school? How did that inform your post-MBA choice?
I interned with Barclays’ energy investment banking team in Houston between my first and second year. The internship confirmed my decision to pursue investment banking and ultimately led to a return offer. It provided firsthand exposure to live deal execution, team dynamics and the lifestyle I would soon be entering. Securing the return offer meant I had achieved the goal I had worked tirelessly for, while also allowing me to enjoy quality time with my family during my final year of business school before starting full-time.
Why did you choose your current company?
During recruiting, I prioritized three criteria. First, I wanted to join a bank with a long-term commitment to the energy industry. At the time, several firms were scaling back or exiting the space, and I wanted to avoid the risk of instability early in my career.
Second, execution mattered. Investment banking is a demanding lifestyle, and I wanted to be at a firm that was not only active, but consistently winning mandates.
Third, and most importantly, was culture. As a father, with a fourth child on the way, I sought leaders who understood the commitments that come with parenthood. I wanted to join a firm that respected family life and recognized the balance required to be successful as both a banker and a father.
Barclays checked every box.
Advice to current MBA students:
Have a plan and pursue it relentlessly.
Leaving the Marine Corps with a growing family meant walking away from stable pay, strong benefits and a defined career path. Failure was not an option. I poured everything I had into recruiting, a journey that would determine the trajectory of my life forever.
Think deeply about where you want to go, map out the steps to get there and execute with relentless focus. Pursue your goal with everything you have, and success will follow.
–One thing you would absolutely do again as part of the job search?
Network with as many people as possible. The two-year stint at an MBA program is a great time to broaden your network and learn from people in positions you want to be in. Utilize the time wisely, as you will have far more flexibility during those years than you will later on if you pursue a high intensity career.
–One thing you would change or do differently as part of the job search?
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.
–Were there any surprises regarding your current employer’s recruiting process?
Recruiting, especially in the Houston investment banking scene, is unpredictable. You often don’t know where you stand, banks may go quiet and friends land offers while you wait. The process can get in your head quickly.
The biggest lesson I learned is to focus on yourself and control the controllables. Prepare relentlessly and be the best version of yourself every day. When you are able to stay disciplined and avoid comparison, the results tend to take care of themselves.
–What piece of advice do you wish you had been given during your MBA?
Bet on yourself.
Too often, people disqualify themselves from a dream they once had as they begin to size up their surroundings. If you have a goal, work hard and chase it. If a crayon-eating Marine can pivot into a highly technical investment banking role, then you too can achieve whatever you set your mind to.
