Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business students come to learn, explore, and build community. As they move forward in their careers, they take everything they've learned and use it to power innovation in industries and businesses across the globe. In celebration of Spring 2024 Commencement, we sat down with a few students to learn about their experiences and the wisdom they've gained in the process.
Meet Jaylen "Jumbo" Drummond, who is graduating with a concentration in Marketing, a minor in Psychology, and a certificate in Business Analytics.
Where are you from?
Lithonia and Dacula, GA
Where did you go to high school?
Dacula High School
Who most influenced your decision to pursue business in college?
Honestly, I was the person who influenced my decision to pursue business in college. I've always had an entrepreneurial and self-starter mindset, so pursuing a degree in business was a no-brainer for me.
Why did you choose Scheller College of Business?
I chose the Scheller College of Business because I believed it would give me the necessary resources to set myself up for success and prosperity. Additionally, the emphasis on Scheller's blend of business and technology intrigued me, and I believed the skills I would gain would give me an edge over others.
The college, which is in the middle of Tech Square and near several Fortune 500 companies, was also a plus.
What concentration did you pursue and why?
The concentration I chose to pursue was Marketing. I knew Marketing was the concentration I wanted to pursue before I came to campus because it is an area of study I am passionate about and have been utilizing since my freshman year of high school. In addition to being a student, I am also a hip-hop recording artist, producing original work ranging from singles, albums, music videos, and even concerts. For the public to gain awareness of the original work I was releasing, I had to promote and advertise it using different types of marketing strategies. That said, I thought it would be smart to further my understanding of marketing to apply those principles to my artistic and professional endeavors.
What is your best piece of advice to an applicant hoping to get into Scheller College?
Be persistent and authentic in your approach to the application. Don't try to be somebody you're not because it'll show. Scheller values diversity and uniqueness, so showcasing what makes you stand out is key to increasing your chances. For example, I applied, not thinking I would get in, but I did, and I think that is due to my being authentic and showcasing my differentiating factors.
What is the biggest myth about Scheller College?
The biggest myth would be Scheller students do not experience rigorous courses and that we have it "easy." Scheller offers several challenging courses that are mentally stimulating and allow us to apply what we learn to the outside world, whether in our day-to-day lives, internships/co-ops, and/or our full-time jobs.
As a business student in the heart of Tech Square, how do you think Scheller College embodies the intersection of business and technology?
Scheller offers several resources for its students to gain an education in business with a focus on technology. With my Marketing concentration, many of my classes were application-based, meaning they centered around discussing the implications and significance of the material we learned. That said, I wanted to take advantage of the resources Scheller has. I picked up a Business Analytics certificate to gain more exposure to information technology and programming courses. I felt like pursuing the certificate would make me more of a well-rounded individual as I would fully be able to embody the intersection between business and technology that Scheller stands for.
What was your favorite course, and what was the biggest insight you gained about business from it?
My favorite course was Strategic Brand Management, which I recommend every student studying marketing take as one of their electives. The most significant insight I gained from it regarding business is how applicable the course material was to my everyday life. It was interesting to learn about the reasoning behind why brands are marketed the way they are, especially after being exposed to a certain brand like Coca-Cola for a long time. After taking this course, I became more aware of the small details businesses invest in to build brand and top-of-mind awareness with their consumers.
Who was your favorite professor and why?
My favorite professor was the late Aaron Hackett. His approach to teaching the course material (which happened to be Strategic Brand Management) was unique and something I could resonate with relating to how I learn best. Additionally, he had the greatest personality and made the class enjoyable, engaging, and memorable through class discussion, interesting and stimulating topics, and the chance for all students to showcase their brand and points of difference. May he rest in peace.
What activities were you involved with on or off campus, and did your business education impact those activities in any way?
I was involved with several activities on and off campus during my four years in college. On campus, I was involved with the Scheller Business Ambassadors, the Black Student Recruitment Team, the Georgia Tech Marketing Association, the African-American Student Union, the Georgia Tech Creatives, the African Student Association, the SGA Campus Orgs Committee, and the Caribbean Student Association. Off-campus, I was involved with the underground music scene here in Atlanta, nightclub promotion, modeling, and personal training through my fitness company, JumboGainz. My business education significantly impacted my approach to all those activities. Knowing more about the intricate details of the business world and what it takes to bring an idea to life and make it successful helped me execute my role and the endeavors I partook in within all the activities.
Where did you intern/co-op during school?
I interned as a marketing analyst at Norfolk Southern in the summer of 2023. This was the only internship I had during college because, in the summer of 2022, I thought it would be more valuable to study abroad through Georgia Tech's Lorraine program in France to increase my intellectual and cultural competence. Additionally, I worked part-time as a head waiter at a restaurant called Yardhouse every weekend.
How did the Scheller College undergraduate career education program assist you with your job efforts? Did you end up working or interning for one of your top choice companies?
The undergraduate Career Development Program did a phenomenal job of assisting me with my job efforts. The Career Development class did a great job of prepping me for interviews, resume strengthening, negotiation tactics, and more. Also, the program consistently sends out entry-level/recent grad job opportunities every Monday, which I took advantage of. I did not end up working for one of my top choice companies, but I will though soon! Nevertheless, my experience at Norfolk Southern was amazing, and I would not trade it for anything else.
Did you participate in any hands-on/experiential learning opportunities? If yes, which projects/companies did you work with, and how did you help them?
I worked with the baby product company Graco and a soda and cookie company called The Sodamix located in Idaho and Utah. I worked with Graco through one of my projects in my Strategic Brand Management class. My team and I were tasked with developing a revised marketing plan/strategy for the company to review and initiate. As for The Sodamix, I worked with them and three other students through my Marketing Consulting class. We were tasked with increasing their brand awareness through social media and in-store locations.
Who would you like to thank most for your success?
There is no other answer than my mama. She is my superhero and motivates me so much. As I have grown, I have realized that she was right about what I thought she was wrong about. I increasingly appreciate her every day for her unconditional love for me, the wisdom she shares with me, and her willingness to put my best interests first. She is a hard worker who never asks for handouts and is a constant reminder to persevere through everything I face.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I am a recording artist and a powerlifter.
What are some of your hobbies?
Music creation, shooting and editing videos, gym rat, content creation, movie guru, reading, and modeling.
What are the top two items on your bucket list?
I want to (and will) go on a world tour, and I have always wanted to go to outer space (call me Neil Armstrong from here on out).