As part of the Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business Countdown to Commencement series, we interviewed a few soon-to-be graduates from our Undergraduate program to learn about their backgrounds, why they chose Scheller, and what they plan to do after the Spring 2021 commencement.
Meet Avielle Krug, who is graduating with a concentration in Strategy & Innovation.
Where are you from?
Atlanta, Georgia.
Where did you attend high school?
North Springs High School.
What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business?
“Money Money Money” - ABBA... just kidding! Though a great song, business is about people. Though cliché, teamwork and collaboration are essential in every aspect of business. I think something that is more unexpected is how simple it is to ask questions. Curiosity is essential. Talk to your peers, professors, and mentors. If you have a dream job, find people in it and take them out to coffee.
What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field?
Go for it! Say yes to every opportunity that comes along. There is sometimes a mindset that banking or consulting is the ideal business career. However, there are so many other incredible paths that deserve attention. If you love sustainability, non-profits, sports, or even trendy food, there is a business-related career out there.
As a business student in the heart of Tech Square, how do you think Scheller College embodies the intersection of business and technology?
Scheller gives opportunities like no other business school. In my junior year, I interned part-time in Tech Square for the Georgia Department of Economic Development. A normal day included class at 9:00 a.m. at Scheller, then a 2:00 p.m. meeting with visiting ambassadors from around the world. Curiosity and innovation are woven into Scheller’s focus on both technology and global impact. Students are pushed to excel by answering real-world problems. Whether in sustainability, entrepreneurship, or technology, Scheller is the only business school ensuring students can turn their passions into careers.
What was your favorite business course?
Business Ethics with Steven Salbu.
Who is your favorite professor?
My favorite professor is Arn Rubinoff. His passion, storytelling, and true investment in his students’ success is unmatched. His syllabus is the only one that includes a hand-drawn map to his office. When I told Professor Rubinoff that I wanted to go to law school, he offered to take me out to coffee and help in any way he could. Arn is simply the greatest of all time.
What has surprised you most about majoring in business at Scheller College?
People joke that Scheller is the happiest place on campus. It really is. The natural light in the hallways, the passionate professors, and of course, the best advisors in the nation. I once brought my engineering friends to study for a test in the Undergrad lab and of course the Student Business Ambassadors (SBA) happened to be passing out cookies that day!
What were some of your extracurricular activities, community work, and leadership roles during college?
Scheller Business Ambassadors, president; Society of Women in Business, one of three members chosen to attend the Harvard Women in Business Conference, women’s recruitment team, new membership chair; Oxford Study Abroad Program, Christie N. Chandler International Study Abroad Scholarship recipient; Alpha Gamma Delta, freshman council and Hillel member; Intramural Kickball enthusiast.
Where have you interned during your college career?
Intern for the chief operating officer, The Governor of Georgia’s Office, global commerce intern, Georgia Department of Economic Development, security intern, UPS.
Which academic, extracurricular, or personal achievement are you most proud of?
This semester, I started a journey. Could I run a mile? It turns out I couldn't. My coach (my roommate Abby) created a training plan. After a couple of weeks of training, I can now run three miles. We have a 5K scheduled after graduation that I’m so excited about.
Where will you be working after graduation?
Law school (Still deciding between a couple of options, but I am VERY excited)!
Looking back over your experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently in business school and why?
Looking back, I wish I knew that everyone experiences imposter syndrome at some point. When I didn’t get into a club or didn’t land my dream internship, I was crushed. Now that I’m older, I realize that most successful people feel unworthy at some point in their journey. I wish I had accepted some of my failures and recognized the growth that came from them. Not only is it great character building, but it makes the successes even sweeter.
Which classmate do you most admire?
My best friend Reese Howard. From freshman year study sessions in Scheller to our senior year… still studying! She is hardworking, driven, and incredibly humble. She is my running buddy, my Oxford soccer mate, and my source for all consulting questions.
Who would you most want to thank for your success?
My dad. He taught me the rules of life. Be aggressive, get air, and never say sorry. These were specifically for when I played soccer, but they apply to life in general.
What are the top two items on your professional bucket list?
To make really cool law school friends, find my own spot in the library, and open my own firm (Krug & Krug Associates?)
What is a fun fact about yourself:
Not many people know this, but I have a passion for freestyle rapping!