Alumni Profiles

What are the advantages of living in Atlanta while pursuing your MBA?

Atlanta is home to so many large companies, I think it is shocking to people not from here when they learn how many companies have headquarters in the metro Atlanta area. Not only is this favorable for recruiting, it also gives us the opportunity to connect with many companies through class visits, projects, and networking events. Aside from the excellent job prospects, Atlanta has something for everyone. There are a ton of great restaurants, museums, and festivals that you will quickly wonder where all your free time went. Also, not having to deal with snow is pretty great.

What are some opportunities outside the classroom to gain leadership experience?

There are so many ways to get involved as a leader, and more than half of our class holds a leadership position in some form! You can serve as an elected leader for clubs or committees or lead your practicum groups as you work on a real-world project with local businesses. All the leadership opportunities give you the ability to practice your leadership skills in a small scale and safe environment, while also getting to network with professionals and alumni.

What's your favorite thing about the program?

You can tailor this program to get whatever you want out of it. I've gotten to work on teams with people with very diverse backgrounds, play on intramural teams, serve as a student leader through GBC, and travel to conferences across the country — and I'm only halfway done with the program! I knew I wanted to get more involved my second time around at Georgia Tech, and I don't think a day goes by where I am not attending a lunch and learn, meeting for a case competition, or attending one of our many social events.

What is the value of the program to you?

The ROI is so high at Georgia Tech, I knew I could easily make up the cost in a few years. The manageable tuition costs, opportunities for funding, and high average starting salaries made the decision to take two years off of work a very wise investment in my career.

Why did you choose to pursue an MBA?

After evaluating my long-term career goals, all career paths pointed to pursuing an MBA. Between the knowledge gained in the classroom, leadership development, and networking, I recognized two years spent in business school was a great investment for my career. Prior to starting at Scheller, I had a basic understanding of business, but an MBA has provided me the necessary skillset to be a leader in business that I could not get elsewhere.

Why did you choose Georgia Tech over other MBA programs?

I chose Georgia Tech because it was the perfect school to balance my passion for technology and business. I planned to pursue job opportunities with technology companies, or technology roles within more traditional companies, and a Scheller degree would allow me to stand out against other candidates. As the business world continues to place an emphasis on technology for all job functions, an MBA with a technology focus becomes more and more valuable.

What are the advantages of living in Atlanta while pursuing your MBA?

I have lived in Atlanta for five years prior to starting at Scheller, and was excited to stay in the city for school. Atlanta has a great mix of large, Fortune 500 companies and a strong startup culture. Completing your MBA in Atlanta allows for exposure to these companies through different consulting projects and networking opportunities. The face-to-face interactions have proven to be extremely helpful as I evaluate career options and gain work experience during the school year.

What's your favorite thing about the program?

The Scheller experience is a very collaborative and personal experience. Students take the time to help each other out in the classroom, and with preparation for job networking and interviews. The staff truly takes the time to be invested in your future, and values your feedback to continuously make the program better.

Why did you choose to pursue an MBA?

I decided to pursue an MBA because I wanted to diversify my skill set and switch careers from engineering to product management.

Why did you choose Georgia Tech over other MBA programs, and what’s unique to Georgia Tech’s MBA?

I chose Georgia Tech because of the strong sense of community I felt when I attended the welcome event for admitted students. Georgia Tech’s small class size sets it apart because it creates an environment that fosters relationships among students, faculty, and staff. Students also have great leadership opportunities because of the small class size.

Comment on the academic experience at Georgia Tech:

The Georgia Tech MBA program is a challenging program that gives students a balanced, high-quality business education. Due to the program’s strong emphasis on teamwork, students refine their time-management and people skills by working on multiple projects with people from diverse backgrounds. Also, the flexible nature of the program allows students to choose all of the electives that best suit their career interests

Comment about your experiences with the College’s career services:

Another advantage of Georgia Tech’s class size is the personal attention students receive from the career services staff. We had an eight-week career workshop during our first semester, which helped us effectively prepare for company information sessions, job fairs, and interviews. My career advisor was very proactive and helpful. She worked with me to perfect my resume, and we had several mock interviews to help me prepare for my internship interviews. She gave me honest feedback about my performance and tips for improvement.

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School?

It has been great to join other students who have a passion for giving back. I am proud to say that I am a founding member of the Scheller MBA Veterans Club. We started as a social club but became a crucial part of the behind-the-scenes running of the MBA experience. I've also been active with the Scheller MBA Philanthropy Club, which sponsors a portion of a local Beltline trail and helps keep the park free of litter. I am became a Volunteer Skilled Supervisor for Habitat for Humanity and have led the Georgia Tech Geotechnical Engineering Club to get involved with Habitat for Humanity as well.

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school?

I am most proud that I was able to earn two full graduate degrees in two years at Georgia Tech, one in a technical field (M.S. Civil Engineering - Geotechnical Engineering) and one in a management field (the MBA). It was a requirement of the Coast Guard program for which I was selected to attain both degrees.

Who is your favorite professor?

Matt Higgins. He teaches Managerial Economics. I have never had a professor relate course topics to everyday life as much as he was able to do. He really inspired my interest in economics, and showed me just how important the basic concepts are to how the world ticks. As a result, I am now subscribed to three different economics podcasts and two economics magazines. I just can't get enough.

Favorite MBA Courses?

Business Strategies for Sustainability. This course has shown me the ways that a capitalistic society can drive towards social responsibility. I have always cared about the environment; it was one of the main reasons I joined the U.S. Coast Guard, but I had no idea about the number of companies that have made sustainability a part of their mission. It's not just because they think it's a good marketing strategy either, but because being conscious about sustainability can yield shared value and profits.

Why did you choose Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business?

Its location at one of the premier engineering and technology universities in the world. The resources Scheller has at its disposal, like the Atlanta Technology Development Center (a technology start-up incubator on campus) and the Georgia Tech Research Institute, allow Scheller to provide a top notch education while also exposing students to the latest problems facing the world and the latest solutions being developed to address them. I knew that Scheller would be in the best position for understanding the problems facing the Fortune 500 companies headquartered in Atlanta, the economic hub of the Southeast, and I knew I wanted to be a part of that.

What is the biggest lesson you gained from business school?

Never stop learning. Never lose that childhood sense of curiosity. I will always follow my curiosity into new problems and topics and will continue to ask "Why?" every day.

What was the most surprising thing about business school?

Learning about the importance of networking. Coming from an engineering and military background, I didn't have much faith in networking. Now, though, I see how crucial it is not just for the obvious reasons, like getting a job, but also for making deals that determine whether your company succeeds or fails.

Please comment on the relevance and quality of the program to your career goals.

I signed up for the 2015 Vanderbilt Latin Business Challenge Case Competition, sponsored by Deloitte, where we contemplated ways to make a start-up food supplement company more successful in rural areas of Central America. I wasn't really sure what a case competition entailed prior to the weekend event, but I went in with an open mind. It ended up being one of the most challenging and stressful activities I experienced while in school, but also one of the most rewarding. It was such a great experience to learn how I perform under pressure and in a group. We took second place in the competition, something the whole team was very proud of.

Fun facts about yourself:

I am passionate about adventure racing! I pursued two degrees simultaneously at Georgia Tech: an MBA and an M.S. in Civil Engineering.

Why did you choose Georgia Tech over other MBA programs?

My biggest motivation to pursue an MBA at Georgia Tech was to study at a world-class institution that would prepare me to lead organizations in a technology-driven business environment. Additionally, the opportunity to lead the commercialization strategy of new innovations at the school as a TI:GER fellow is a unique opportunity I found at Scheller. I am having an experience of a lifetime during my MBA that goes beyond the classroom.

What are the advantages of living in Atlanta while pursuing your MBA?

First, the cost of living is one of the biggest advantages of living in Atlanta while pursuing an MBA. It allows you to dip less into your savings until you get back into the workforce.

Second, Atlanta has become a melting pot of different cultures so it is a great place to meet and connect with people from different corners of the world.

Finally, there is a great ecosystem of tech entrepreneurs that is growing in Atlanta, especially around Georgia Tech, which gives students the opportunity to get involved in interesting projects or ventures.

Please comment about the experience you've had with the Jones MBA Career Center.

My experience with the Jones Career Center has been exceptional. From the moment I met the director I was convinced that he and his team would do everything in their power to put me in the best position to succeed. They started by helping me craft a resume that would clearly highlight my skills and accomplishments. Then they taught me how to effectively network with the Georgia Tech alumni community and the industries I am targeting. I also got to learn important interview skills. For example I had the chance to practice case interviews with an experienced consultant, which paid dividends when I was interviewing for my summer internship in management consulting.

What are the advantages of living in Atlanta while pursuing your MBA?

Atlanta has all the advantages of a big city with a small town ambience. You have a major airport that rivals NYC and DC, but rentals cost only a fraction of those cities. Many Fortune 500s are headquartered in the city so there is no question of expensive networking trips to other cities. Atlanta has a mix of many cultures, and this has led to a very vibrant music and food culture.

What has the academic experience been like at Georgia Tech?

The courses I have taken so far have been really useful in my internship and decision-making in general. The courses are designed to challenge you but not to make you fail. There is no compulsion of choosing or declaring a particular track/concentration; I can choose the subjects I want and tailor the curriculum to my interests and career goals. I feel concentrations are immaterial once you get back into the industry and the knowledge you gain counts the most.

What opportunities have you had to gain leadership skills?

There are many avenues for students to gain hands-on leadership skills through the program. I participated in pro bono consulting, which taught me how to manage expectations of clients and to present my findings to board members. The leadership mentor network pairs students with senior executives in the industry who advise us on our career paths and provide guidance wherever needed. I also led my strategy consulting group and that provided opportunities for detailed discussions with senior management at AT&T.

What has your experience been working with the Jones MBA Career Center?

The Career Center would be the most distinguishing factor of the Scheller MBA. The amount of support they provide to each of us is way beyond what I've seen or heard of in other schools. Your career advisor is directly involved in your success. I've gone through multiple rounds of interviews and resume corrections to reach a point where I can put my best foot forward with company executives. The Career Center is also actively involved with the different academic clubs, helping to arrange alumni speakers and events. I participated in the last West Coast Trek and it was a great place to start looking for roles in the technology industry. The Career Center has taken the lead in organizing the entire trek, and we met with some of the hottest companies on the West Coast (Google, FB, Instagram, Airbnb, etc).

Why did you choose to pursue an MBA?

I started my career in the nonprofit sector, and after a few years, I realized I would need a much wider, analytical skill set to truly make an impact.

What is unique to Georgia Tech's MBA program?

I'm amazed by how much I learned about technology and technology management in my first year. Georgia Tech is the perfect place to be exposed to cutting-edge tech, and Tech Square is full of startups that could turn out to be the next big thing. At the same time, we're able to get hands-on experience exploring new forms of technology through practicums with giants like Coca-Cola.

In addition, the community at Georgia Tech is incredible, and I never could have imagined the kind of friendships I developed. We were always doing something together, whether it was training for a 15K, going to a Braves game, or just hanging out during a Thursday evening social.

What was your experience working with the Jones MBA Career Center?

The career center staff is incredibly talented and dedicated to getting us ready to succeed in the career search. My advisor was always ready to answer questions, help me think through decisions, and prepare for interviews. I have no doubt that I received my offer thanks to the training I got from career services early on in my MBA experience.

How did the academic experience at Georgia Tech help you achieve your career goals?

I came to Georgia Tech knowing next to nothing about technology. Within a few months, I received an offer for an internship in IT management from a Fortune 500 company. Georgia Tech is the perfect place to launch a career in technology.

Where are you working?

Starting my own company in Morocco. I am working on a digital marketing startup idea developing a product to allow retailers to give real-time promotions to select customers.

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school?

Winning the PhD2Consulting case competition. I led a team of three MBAs and one Ph.D. student developing a set of strategic recommendations for the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Our solution focused on increasing the capacity of food pickup and delivery and providing a framework to evaluate different investment alternatives. Not only did we win the first place award, but the client was so interested in our work that they brought us onboard as pro bono consultants.

Favorite MBA Courses?

Corporate Finance, Technology Commercialization, Managerial Economics, and Strategic Management.

Why did you choose Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business?

Scheller College of Business provides a unique curriculum at the intersection of business and technology. I am very interested in entrepreneurship. The TI:GER program, which is a hands-on technology commercialization and entrepreneurship program, was a key element in choosing Georgia Tech.

What did you enjoy most?

My experience in the TI:GER program, working with scientists, lawyers, and business leaders to take a medical product from the lab to the market. Our team concentrated on the commercialization process for a medical device that regulates and monitors blood glucose for people with diabetes. It's a solution based on electrical stimulation and bypasses insulin—a real game changer for patients and the medical industry.

What's your best advice to an applicant to Scheller?

Be prepared to challenge yourself. An MBA requires you to be the best version of yourself.

"I knew I wanted to go to business school when...

I tried to start a new business with some friends. We had a good product but we lacked the business acumen to sell it."

Fun fact about yourself:

I practiced beekeeping for some time.

Why did you choose Georgia Tech over other MBA programs?

Since I don't have a strict business background, I wanted a program with small class sizes and lots of career placement assistance so I could get the personalized attention I need. Some of the best companies in the country, and all of the best companies in the region, recruit at Tech, so I knew I would be in a good program to find a great job. Finally, I heard about the $50M Scheller donation and that was really the final piece of the puzzle — all great business schools have resources, and I knew Tech would put those resources to use in the best interest of its students. I was sold.

Please comment on the academic experience at Georgia Tech.

I am learning so much! In true Georgia Tech fashion, the MBA program is A LOT OF WORK. It's not hard — the concepts all make a lot of sense — but in order to get the most out of the program we really need to do all of our reading, do all of our practice problems, spend time thinking through our business cases, read the Wall Street Journal every day. There is a lot to stay on top of and it can be very time consuming. That being said, I enjoy my classes and am interested in the material, which makes things a little bit easier. The professors are adept at relating concepts to real-world situations and current events. Plus, some classes are surprisingly interesting! Accounting and economics seemed like they would be completely dull, dry subjects, but the professors are hilarious, and they are shedding light on so many things in business and the news that I had been taking for granted for years.

Please discuss opportunities to network or develop leadership skills outside the classroom.

There are endless opportunities to network outside the classroom. First, our Thursday socials, football tailgates, and other social events are a great way to get to know our classmates on a deeper level. Company info sessions and class projects are an easy way to get to know representatives from some of the companies that recruit at Tech, especially young alumni with those companies. Holding office as a Graduate Business Council officer or committee member, or as a club president is a great way to develop leadership skills. Case competitions and business plan competitions are a great way to develop leadership skills and network.

Please comment about the experience you had with the College’s career services.

Career Services has been very hands-on since my admissions interview. I mentioned my career interest in that initial interview, and it seems like I've been working with them a few days after I received my acceptance! Over the summer, my career counselor connected me with alumni at my target companies, emailed me information about special programs, had me start working on sorting out my career goals, and got me started on writing a resume. We really hit the ground running! It was a good thing, too — I learned quickly that interviewing for MBA-level jobs was very different from what I experienced before. The whole career services staff taught me how to be polished and poised, and how to present myself and my experience in the best light. Thanks to them, I landed an internship with my top choice only two months into the program. Slam dunk! I couldn’t have done it without them.

What has the academic experience at Georgia Tech been like?

I did not realize the applicability of my classes until my internship, especially compared to my intern peers from other MBA programs. Entering the program as a student with minimal training in any software or relevant business discipline, the core classes gave me enough baseline knowledge to be able to understand a breadth of things quickly, from corporation-specific IT jargon to complex SQL queries in Teradata to ways to manage up for my work streams. Moreover, the professors are very accessible, understand their audience, and are incredibly open to feedback during the course in order to tailor classes toward what a particular set of students want to learn.

What opportunities have you had to gain hands-on experience?

The practicum courses present opportunities to work with a diverse set of companies on relevant, thought-provoking questions. Last semester, I was able to work with two companies. The first project involved an automotive conglomerate that asked us to investigate how they could continue to be competitive in an industry that is being transformed by the Internet of Things and the autonomous vehicle. My second project was with an Israeli technology startup for whom we formulated a go-to-market strategy for their linguistically-based tech algorithm that increased digital user engagement and conversion. For the second assignment, my team and I were able to go to Israel to meet with the client and experience the culture firsthand during the Jewish holiday of Purim. That week in Israel gave me a glimpse into the life and mindset of my client, and I know that view into client relationships will follow me well after I finish my MBA.

What has your experience been working with the Jones MBA Career Center?

Having a non-traditional background was a major concern for me going into the MBA program. I frequently wondered how companies would view me and if they would even consider my resume, not to mention interview me. The strength of the on-campus recruiting relationships between Scheller and especially tech companies and Southeast U.S. based companies gave me a chance to interview at more Fortune 100 companies than I could have ever dreamed.

My career advisor has been the most generous with his time and patience and has helped me through any problem I have encountered from fleshing out my story to reducing anxiety before an interview to giving me a reality check on what I could and could not realistically accomplish in a job search. He has coached me from the summer before I started to road map my year, all the way through the end of my second semester to give me advice on how to succeed during my internship.

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school?

Being part of a great team that worked incredibly hard to win first place and the Edison Prize at the 2015 Georgia Tech Startup Competition. Our win qualified us for ACC Startup Madness where we took third place. Our startup idea is an implantable medical device that treats diabetes without using insulin. We spent months analyzing market opportunities, interviewing potential customers, and gaining an understanding of the patent landscape. We attended weekly meetings and mentoring sessions at Georgia Tech's VentureLab, the #2 startup incubator in North America, which is across the street from the Scheller College of Business.

We had so many tools to help us create viable business models. Scheller's TI:GER program, which helps students learn how to commercialize new technologies and bring innovative products to the marketplace, provided us great access to these resources. Our team consisted of a biomedical engineering PhD candidate at Georgia Tech who devised the product, two students from Emory University's Law School who created our patent strategy, and two Scheller MBA students. The other MBA student and I took the lead in conducting over 120 live customer discovery interviews. I’m thankful to be part of a business school that has such strong connections to the Georgia Tech engineering program and the Atlanta technology ecosystem.

Favorite MBA Courses?
The Information Technology Practicum. Even with a decidedly non-technology background, Scheller has prepared me and given me the confidence to tackle information technology problems. My team worked with the CIO at Nike to help the company better understand what the "workplace of the future" might look like. We flew to Oregon to tour the Nike campus to see what technology solutions they currently use. During the visit, they asked us to research how other big companies are thinking about tomorrow’s workplace. Thankfully, our professors at Scheller have an extensive network, and we were able to leverage their contacts to interview different firms. I absolutely loved working on this project.

Why did you choose Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business?

Its connections to the technology community in Atlanta. I worked with a group at the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) that has created piezoelectric sensors which can be layered under carpet and used to track foot patterns and sense disturbances. My role was to help GTRI understand the right product-market fit for this "smart carpet." I met with casino operators who want to understand foot traffic so they can more strategically place slot machines. Their feedback was overwhelmingly positive about this product. I find this type of experience so exciting; I work with incredibly smart engineers who have a real product and look to me to help bring a business perspective to their research.

What is the biggest lesson you gained from business school?

How to communicate effectively and specifically how to communicate in a multidisciplinary team. My Scheller TI:GER team consists of one PhD student, two law students, and two MBA students. Learning how to communicate more clearly and to listen more within my team has taught me about the pitfalls of assumptions and filtering out essential details.

What was the most surprising thing about business school?

The outside opportunities afforded to Scheller MBA students. I didn't realize that I might have the opportunity to work with local angel investors. But through the TI:GER program, I became the lead analyst for the Atlanta Technology Angels group. I helped screen early stage companies to determine if they are an interesting opportunity or a dead end. It was an amazing opportunity to be part of the Atlanta community and exposed to some of the best and brightest minds in the technology scene.

What's your best advice to an applicant to your school?

Get involved. You are at a school that offers numerous options to work with people within the school and within the Atlanta community. You just have to seize the opportunities. Apply for the TI:GER program; ask to help with GTRI projects; seek out alumni in the Atlanta Technology Angels group; take the practicum courses to work with companies like Delta and Nike; and participate in case competitions. Get out of the building and try new things!

Fun fact about yourself:

I love scuba diving with sharks! I tried out to be on "Survivor" a few years ago.

Why did you choose to pursue an MBA?

I had a very niche role as an engineer prior to the program. I decided to pursue my MBA to diversify my skills and take on new challenges, and I knew an MBA would open up more opportunities for me across various industries and functions.

Why did you choose Georgia Tech over other MBA programs?

In addition to Georgia Tech being in a great city and location, I was attracted to Scheller due to the small cohort size. As a career switcher with absolutely no business background, I knew I would get the personal attention I would need from career services and professors. Also, being at Tech, the opportunities to network would not be limited by the business school. Tech has a great technology reputation, and the career options are endless.

It is an exciting time to be part of a growing program in a thriving city that is becoming a well-known technology and startup hub. Add to that culture, awesome food, a huge music scene, etc. Atlanta is a great city to be in!

What has been your experience in working with the Jones MBA Career Center?

My experience with the Career Center was what sold me to Scheller. Even in my interview, I was already getting the career advice I needed! Since then, my advisor has always been there for me to help with resumes, cover letters, interview prep, networking, connecting me with alumni, and really, just there to address any questions or concerns I had going into an interview. I don't even know how many times I went to her stressing out about how to network. I was able to land a great internship, and I couldn't have done it without the help of my advisor and the entire career services team.

You attended Georgia Tech for your undergraduate degree. Why did you decide to return?

I love Georgia Tech! It's a challenging program no matter which one you go through, but you always build a great support system throughout your time here. I chose to come back because of that camaraderie I had throughout undergrad. I also wanted to have the option to stay connected to the engineering side. There are some great innovative projects happening on the other side of the campus that MBAs can get involved in through startup competitions, the TI:GER program, Global Social Venture competition, etc.