Scheller MBA students with a background in healthcare bring unique perspectives to the classroom, and eventually, the wider business landscape. After graduation, they pair an innovative outlook with finely tuned business skills to navigate the interconnected spaces between industries.
After graduating from Georgia Tech in 2015, I went directly to pharmacy school at Mercer University College of Pharmacy in Atlanta, where I earned my PharmD. Initially, I was set on following the clinical residency route, but personal family emergencies altered my plans. I ended up working for a drug information startup, a path I never expected to take. Despite my initial desire for stability and structure, I found the startup environment to be creative and engaging, with its chaotic moments.
Starting as a PRN drug info specialist, I handled inquiries from healthcare providers about drugs, diagnoses, and treatments. As one of the early employees, I quickly transitioned to business development, focusing on innovation and marketing. Over time, I advanced to the role of director of brand development, overseeing creative marketing operations.
My passion for the creative aspects of brand strategy and clinical content led me to pursue an MBA at Georgia Tech. I wanted to work at the intersection of healthcare, technology, and business, and Georgia Tech's STEM-based program offered the tools and skills needed for success. The program has provided me with strategic thinking abilities and hard skills through certifications and software training, which I wouldn't have gained in the pharmacy space. This journey has been a great opportunity to collect valuable skills and set myself up for future success.
Clinicians and healthcare professionals often have a strong attention to detail, which can be advantageous when transitioning into the business space. Throughout my clinical job and pharmacy school, I learned to sift through vast amounts of information and focus on the most important and reliable details. This skill has been invaluable in the business world, where managing large datasets with precision is crucial.
While my pharmacy background provided a solid foundation, my MBA experience has allowed me to explore more creative and innovative opportunities. Pharmacy is traditionally a more structured field, with some innovation but largely conventional practices. In contrast, the business side, especially through my MBA, has emphasized creativity and innovation, which I find exciting.
Skills like literature evaluation and clinical case analysis have been transferable to business case studies. My healthcare background has helped me analyze different business scenarios effectively. The rigorous work ethic developed during my pharmacy training, including long hours and intense study sessions, has prepared me well for the demands of business school. The MBA workload may not be as brutal, but the effort required is familiar, making the transition smoother.
I've loved many of the electives I've taken so far, and I'm pursuing a double concentration. By the end of this semester, I'll receive my concentration in Marketing and Brand Management. Additionally, I'll graduate with a second concentration in Product and Service Innovation. Both areas are closely aligned with the area I want to work, and I've thoroughly enjoyed the electives.
One of my favorite classes was the emerging technology elective offered in the summer. It was fascinating to learn about new technological advances, ranging from AI and cryptocurrency to electric vehicles and innovative uses of hot air balloons for cellular data. We also explored space innovations and efforts to save the oceans. Every topic was eye-opening, and it was amazing to see where the world is heading with these technological advancements.
From a marketing perspective, Professor Tim Halloran's classes on product planning and market research were incredibly valuable. They equipped me with both quantitative skills and soft skills necessary for success in the marketing field. We learned how to take a brand or product from conception to becoming a successful entity. The simulations, like the Harvard Business Review's "Crossing the Chasm," taught us to focus our marketing budget on the most effective avenues based on research. These classes have provided me with skills that I know will set me up for success in my future roles, enabling me to build successful brands and products.
I work for an AI-based drug information startup, and AI is at the forefront of our operations. I believe AI will be the next steppingstone in clinical decision support and diagnostic screening, helping determine if patients qualify for specific medications or surgeries. AI has the potential to optimize clinicians' workflows, making them even more incredible — almost superhuman, as we say at our company.
However, there is a significant challenge in healthcare: trust. When dealing with patients' lives, trust is crucial, and it's a hill we need to climb before AI can be successfully implemented at scale. AI isn't meant to replace clinicians but to optimize their work. There are many promising technological advancements in this realm. I often interview AI experts and investors to gain insights.
One of the coolest projects in my emerging technology class involved technologically advanced, self-operating robots for surgeries. We explored how AI could assist in laparoscopic and robotic surgeries, optimizing and integrating technology in healthcare. This class was fascinating and highlighted where technology, business, and healthcare are heading — towards AI optimization of processes, diagnostic screenings, and clinical decision support.
Integration with electronic health systems is another area with vast potential. Georgia Tech is equipping me with the tools to understand what strategies could be successful as these implementations come to scale.
I often get asked why I decided to pursue an MBA and whether it would help my career, especially if I stay with a startup. Without a doubt, I would do it all over again. It has been the best decision I've ever made. The schooling experience has been incredible, with engaging classes, amazing classmates, and a network that has been invaluable. The people I've met and the things I've learned have made this journey so worthwhile.
Having a cohort of 150 Evening MBA students who are invested in each other's success has been phenomenal. Georgia Tech fosters an environment where everyone is trying to help each other succeed, and that has been truly inspiring. My advice to anyone considering a transition is to take the leap, even if you're scared. I was scared, but I jumped, and it has been an incredible experience. I'm no longer confined to the traditional pharmacy world, which, while innovative, is still largely conventional.
Getting my MBA has opened a world of new possibilities and a network of brilliant thinkers and thought leaders. It has given me the opportunity to pivot into different careers, whether it's classical marketing, digital marketing, consulting, or finance. If you're unsure about your career direction and want to move into a more innovative, creative, or business-focused path, I highly recommend pursuing an MBA. Enjoy the journey, optimize your experience, and have fun with it. The classes are engaging and applicable to real life, making the whole process so rewarding. Just take the jump — you'll love it.