Jim Pyke ’97 Champions Student Success Through Internships

Jim Pyke’s ’97 journey with Rice University began as an active undergraduate, studying engineering, playing ultimate frisbee, working behind the scenes in theater and serving as an O-Week advisor. “Rice gave me a place to grow and develop,” Jim said. “The ties you build there create a lasting affinity for the university.” After graduation, he remained connected as a community associate at Lovett College and brought his business and nonprofit expertise to the Rice Engineering Alumni (REA) Board. “I wanted to give back to an institution that means a lot to me.”

Jim also served on the Engineering Advisory Board, reviewed student work for the Rice Center for Engineering Leadership internship practicum and, with his sister Suzy ’94, established the Elizabeth A. Pyke Prize in History to honor their sister Elizabeth. Now in its third year, the prize recognizes outstanding history students.

As past president of the REA Board, Jim has been instrumental in advancing programs that support Rice engineers. In 2020, during his first year on the board, he led a task force, which resulted in the creation of the Summer Engineering Experience (SEE). The program focuses on securing internships, connecting students with Rice alumni mentors and building professional skills. “We wanted to show them the bigger picture, that engineering is much more than just problem sets,” Jim explained. “Internships provide practical career insights, while mentors offer guidance and support beyond the host company. Every student who applies gets an initial interview, which is more about coaching and helping them improve their interview skills and resumes.”

SEE helps students transition smoothly into the working world. “It’s a win-win for companies and students,” Jim said. “Students get invaluable experience and build professional skills, while it offers companies a pathway to benefit from the tremendous talent at Rice University. The program helps host companies by reviewing resumes and preparing students.”

The SEE program launched in 2021 with two spots, quickly growing to 14 participants in 2024. “For the graduating class of 2025, we expect about five percent of Rice’s engineering undergraduates to have participated,” he said. “When we launched the program, we had 18 students apply, and we had a very extensive interview process, narrowing it down to two finalists: a junior who later became a practicing engineer and a freshman who is now pursuing a Ph.D. at Northwestern. It was tough to leave out highly deserving students. Many of the students were first-generation, low-income students who needed summer jobs to help their families, underscoring the program's high demand and the clear need for such opportunities.”

Jim’s passion for helping students get engineering internships stems from his personal experience. “While I didn’t struggle academically at Rice, I never had an engineering internship and my career didn’t follow an engineering path,” he said. “Many Rice alums share similar stories, where opportunities often come through connections. This program resonates with them, and we hope they’ll support it financially or, more importantly, offer internships.”

To ensure they could expand the program and offer more internships, Jim used his network to find internships and place students. “Students want to be doing internships and summer experiences, and we want to make sure they can earn some money in the process,” he said. “What makes our program unique is that we keep track of students and follow up with them year after year, making sure they can pursue their career aspirations.”

Of the 18 students who originally applied in 2021, six eventually secured internships through the program. This ongoing support and relationship-building with students and alumni is a cornerstone of the program’s success, Jim said. "Working with other Rice alumni, hearing their stories and building these connections has been incredibly rewarding," he shared. "We’ve probably worked with over 50 Rice alums who volunteered as summer mentors and contacts at host companies. We’re dedicated to creating opportunities for people to succeed."

For Jim, volunteering is not just about giving, but also what you gain in the process. “It’s a chance to reconnect with Rice alums, apply your skills and feel the joy of helping students succeed,” he said. “It’s also a way to pay forward the mentorship you once received. There’s always an opportunity to contribute and connect based on the time you have.”