Charles Ping-Hsu Chen

Home Country: Taiwan

Home State: New Taipei City

Undergraduate Institution: New York University

Undergraduate Degree and Major (and minor if applicable): Digital Communications and Mathematics

Pre-MBA Industry: Tech

Pre-MBA Company: Uber

Pre-MBA Title: Strategy and Operations Manager, Merchant Growth

Desired industry post-MBA: Tech

Desired job function post-MBA: Product Manager, Strategy and Operations Manager

Degree Specializations: Operations and Supply Chain Management

Student Organization Membership: Golf Club, Net Impact, Operations and Supply Chain Association, Technology Association

Officer: 1st-Year Representative of Operations and Supply Chain Club, CDO Corporate Ambassador

What has been the most surprising part of your Rice MBA? How small the class is and how people can bond over such a short period of time through 1) group projects, 2) coach training sessions, and of course, 3) parties.

What has been your favorite thing about your MBA experience? With tech getting more and more popular as an industry choice, I am glad that Rice MBA is experimenting and introducing different courses to get students exposed to new curricula such as New Product Development and Management and Tech Product Management to better prepare students for recruitment.

What do you love most about Houston? I have actually had two friends reach out to me with the intention of applying to Rice, and one of the biggest highlights I had, aside from the school, is what the city has to offer: 1) transportation, 2) food, and 3) quality.

1. Transportation: Though without public transportation, it is fairly easy to get around with cars and everything is close in proximity. For instance, you can get to Chinatown/Katy within 30 min if I'm homesick while I can also drive 2 hours away to visit Austin. More importantly, direct flights from Taipei are a huge plus! You're also able to access sporting events at a low price (NBA, MLB, and even Rodeo!) when I was comparing my experience back home and during my time in NYC.
2. Food: Similar to what I wrote above, a 30-minute drive can take me to nice Korean, Vietnamese, Taiwanese, Chinese food while the city itself has unbeatable Tex-Mex.
3. The cost of living: To live in this quality of life is impeccable. I live in a 2020-built complex that is 10 minutes away from campus. This 2B2B apartment is half the price and twice the newer than what I paid back in NYC. People are nice and friendly, where meeting new folks isn't that hard.

What is one piece of advice you would share with a prospective student? Embrace the journey: take advantage of every school event has to offer!