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 Josh Saylor. Josh is from Snow Camp, North Carolina, and he earned his bachelor’s degree in biology and music at Samford University. He describes himself as “hardworking and ‘on-the-go’ while pursuing a balanced life with family, friends, and travel.” Prior to the Evening MBA Program, Josh was an Associate General Management Consultant at Booz Allen Hamilton; however, as a result of obtaining his MBA, Josh is now a Principal Consultant with Capgemini.
The value of the Scheller College MBA program is undeniable. At Scheller College, it is possible to attend a top-ranked program at a competitive price point, all while being conveniently located in Midtown Atlanta.
Why did you choose Scheller College of Business for your MBA?
The value of the Scheller College MBA program is undeniable. At Scheller College, it is possible to attend a top-ranked program at a competitive price point all while being conveniently located in Midtown Atlanta. The Scheller College of Business building was another big factor in my decision with its modern stadium seating classrooms, collaborative spaces, and private MBA lounge. The connected Starbucks, Barnes & Noble, and many restaurants creates a very lively atmosphere. I have developed deeper relationships with my classmates due of the ease of grabbing a bite downstairs at Barrelhouse or running to Starbucks together for that last needed kick of energy during breaks.
Who was your favorite professor?
Professor Marius Florin Niculescu. The amount and difficulty of the material we learned in Managing Information Resources was pretty overwhelming at times. However, Dr. Niculescu has an awesome ability to make difficult material enjoyable and interesting. You can see he is very passionate about his work when he is teaching.
What was your favorite course?
Service Operations Management with Professor Manpreet Hora. I enjoyed studying the Service Profit Chain, specifically the connection between employee satisfaction and customer satisfaction/loyalty. The cases we studied in class were very interesting and extremely relatable to business as well as many services we experience in our daily lives.
As a business student in the heart of Tech Square, how do you think Scheller College embodies the intersection of business and technology?
You can see it when walking out of the business school with the construction of the 645,000-square-foot CODA building. CODA was built intentionally to create an environment for Georgia Tech business and technology students to interact with companies through intentionally shared floors.
I also see the intersection of business and technology through the personal connections that Scheller College professors have with the business leaders of Atlanta. I was constantly surprised by the number of Fortune 500 executives that spoke in my classes.
What is your best piece advice to an applicant hoping to get into the Scheller College Evening MBA program?
If you have a desire to pursue your MBA but have not taken any action, make a plan! Sign up and pay for the GMAT or GRE. It is amazing how easy it is to study when a test date is bearing down on you. If you are further along in the process, but unsure about what parts of their experience or skills to highlight, reach out to our MBA Admissions Office. The team here is very friendly and happy to talk about your candidacy.
What is the biggest myth about Scheller College?
Before I started at Scheller, I was nervous that I was not going to be able to balance a full-time career, friends and family, and the MBA program. While certain sacrifices were made, it has not been as difficult as I imagined. I think this is the case in part because of the camaraderie and true friendships I’ve developed at Scheller College. It is truly a group effort, and everyone supports each other on this journey.
Did you finish concentrations or immersive tracks?
I completed the Operations Management concentration. The coursework has helped me to deliver better work product to my clients. For instance, in Pricing Analytics and Revenue Management, I learned hands-on, analytical skills that gave me a deeper understanding of how analysts in my workplace build their forecasting models. This enabled me to collaborate with analysts on a new level and deliver a better product to clients. In Service Operations Management, I developed a deeper understanding of the Service Profit Chain that enabled me to educate clients on the potential business impact of investing or not investing in parts of their service operations.
Did you participate in a practicum course? How has it impacted your education and preparation for your career?
I participated in the IT practicum in Spring 2018. The IT practicum was an excellent mechanism for me to implement and practice my newly acquired MBA skills in a real-world environment, with top-tier companies like The Coca Cola Company, Delta Airlines, and NCR. Practicums are an especially great opportunity for students looking to pivot their careers into a new field, so they can get hands-on experience as part of their coursework.
“If I hadn’t gone to business school, I would be…”
Trying to supplement my business acumen alone and in my spare time. It’s much easier and more fun learning from world-class professors with friends!
What are the top two items on your bucket list?
1. Fly in a private jet
2. Live abroad long enough to become conversational in another language