As part of our Countdown to Commencement series, we spent some time with a few soon-to-be graduates from our undergraduate and MBA programs to learn about their backgrounds, why they chose Scheller College, and what they plan to do with their degrees after Spring 2018 Commencement.
Meet Kathryn Morgan. Kathryn is from Dalton, Georgia, and she earned her bachelor’s degree in financial management from Clemson University. She describes herself as a “self-proclaimed nerd that is passionate about people and her community.” Prior to the Evening MBA program, Kathryn was a Manager of Financial Planning and Analysis at BlueLinx Corporation. While in the program, she has transitioned to Georgia-Pacific as a Manager in Digital Core Transformation, where she will remain at Georgia-Pacific post-graduation.
Working with Scheller College student organizations gave me the opportunity to interact with and invest in my Scheller College community while making lifelong connections.
Why did you choose Scheller College of Business for your MBA?
I grew up loving the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets because my dad is a Georgia Tech BME 1983. While I didn’t attend Georgia Tech for undergrad, it has always been incredibly special to me. When considering getting my MBA, I knew I wanted to stay in Atlanta. Scheller College has a great program that allowed me to continue working full time, and I knew I would make my dad proud!
Who was your favorite professor?
Jon Giuliano has been my favorite professor at Georgia Tech. He shares my level of enthusiasm for strategy, and he is invested in the success of his students and Scheller College. I appreciate his effort to continuously improve the curriculum and engage Atlanta business leaders in our MBA program.
What was your favorite course?
Strategy Consulting Practicum. I enjoyed the opportunity to practice working in a vague business environment where it is the responsibility of the strategist to define the problem and the solution in a constantly evolving setting.
What is your best piece advice to an applicant hoping to get into the Scheller College Evening MBA program?
Come visit a class! I think the best way to get a glimpse of life at Scheller College is to see it in person.
What is the biggest myth about Scheller College?
Myth: It is all engineers! Reality: Yes, there are many engineers, but the class is diverse both in background and in experience.
Did you take advantage of extracurricular activities while at Scheller College?
While at Scheller College, I served as Alumni Chair and helped plan and execute the Homecoming Kickoff and the Crawfish Boil. I also recently served as the VP of the Strategy & Innovation Club, working to expand opportunities for students to get exposure to strategy outside of the classroom. Working with these groups gave me the opportunity to interact with and invest in my Scheller College community while making lifelong connections.
What activities were you involved with off campus, and did your business education impact those activities in any way?
I volunteered with CHRIS 180 and Children’s Restoration Network (CRN). CHRIS 180 saves, serves, and protects children, young adults, and families who have experienced trauma to help them change the direction of their lives, through the CHRIS core values: creativity, honor, respect, integrity, and safety. At CHRIS 180, I was a part of the Emerging Leaders Network that planned and executed a fundraising event for young professionals that raised over $30,000 for homeless youth programs. I was able to use my business experience and education in support of our fundraising efforts. Through CRN, I volunteered with women at homeless shelters across Atlanta, working on their resumes and interview skills where I was able to pay it forward and share a lot of the wonderful advice I received from Scheller College’s own Jones MBA Career Center.
Did you finish concentrations or immersive tracks?
I completed the Strategy and Innovation concentration, which has helped me most in strategic communication. The frameworks and mental models I learned gave me the opportunity to put my learnings into practice almost immediately in my role at Georgia-Pacific. I really appreciated how these courses aligned well with the work I was doing day to day in my job.
“If I hadn’t gone to business school, I would be…”
Getting my pilot’s license!
What are the top two items on your bucket list?
1. Fly myself to all 50 states
2. Live abroad
In one sentence, how would you like your peers to remember you?
I would like my peers to remember me as someone who loves people and treats everyone with kindness.