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 Fall 2024 Commencement, we sat down with a few students to learn about their experiences and the wisdom they've gained in the process.
Meet Samuel Babadele, who is graduating with a concentration in Information Technology Management.
Where are you from?
Johns Creek, Georgia
Where did you go to high school?
Northview High School
Who most influenced your decision to pursue business in college?
My mom was my biggest influence and inspiration. She was a longtime project manager in the medical systems field. Seeing her thrive in her area made me want to follow in her footsteps and carve my path in information technology.
Why did you choose Scheller College of Business?
I chose Scheller because of its people. I could immediately tell coming in that students were provided with all the tools needed for success by the faculty and staff. The Scheller community is one of the most helpful and inspiring I have ever been a part of. The amount of support and guidance I received throughout my time at Scheller was unmatched. Whether it was my fellow students pushing me to succeed inside and outside the classroom or the faculty providing me with endless resources whenever I needed guidance, the help and motivation I received were unparalleled.
What concentration did you pursue and why?
The concentration I chose to pursue was Information Technology Management (ITM) because of the balance it provided me. I wanted to add technical skills as well as foundational management skills to my skill set, and the ITM concentration was perfect for that. Classes like Business Analytics, Project Management, and Database Management all helped me see what it meant to be in the ITM space.
What is your best piece of advice to an applicant hoping to get into Scheller College?
My best piece of advice would be to find the best way to portray your true self on your application. It is important to express what makes you unique and how you would add value to Scheller as a student. Scheller looks for individuals who will thrive in its environment, so make sure you showcase yourself well.
What is the biggest myth about Scheller College?
The biggest myth about Scheller is the content of the classes it provides. Business in general can be stereotyped as a broad major with little specificity. However, this is not the case at Scheller. The range of required and elective classes covers a wide array of topics, each diving deep into different aspects of the business world. Each class explores subjects that are more complex than they might initially seem.
As a business student in the heart of Tech Square, how do you think Scheller College embodies the intersection of business and technology?
Scheller College perfectly embodies the intersection of business and technology by leveraging its prime location in Tech Square, a hub for innovation and startups. This fosters collaborations and partnerships that bring real-world technology-driven business problems into the classroom, providing students with firsthand exposure to cutting-edge advancements. Courses at Scheller integrate technology-focused case studies, industry tools, and tech-centric business strategies, preparing students to understand and address complex challenges in today's digital economy. The College's initiatives and experiential learning projects often partner with tech companies and startups, mixing practical business education with the latest technological trends. This environment not only enhances academic learning but also empowers students to become leaders who can bridge the gap between business and technological expertise.
What was your favorite course and what was the biggest insight you gained about business from it?
My favorite class at Scheller was Leading Teams. This class provided insights I would never have gained on my own about managing and working within a team. We were assigned to a team at the beginning of the semester that we worked with throughout the term. We explored the various elements that make a real team, such as team contracts, assigned roles, success metrics, malpractices, and more. With my long-term goal of being in a leadership position, this class gave me a solid blueprint for success. Each session focused on different aspects of teamwork, reinforced through practical team projects and assignments. I plan to apply the knowledge I gained in this class throughout my career.
Who was your favorite professor and why?
My favorite professor was Bradford Baker. His real-life experience was evident in his teaching during our Leading Teams class. He used his professional background to show us how to effectively lead a team. The methodologies we learned were tested through hands-on simulations and project presentations, which helped us see how our classroom studies could be applied in real-world scenarios. His teaching style demonstrated how much he cared about the subject and our future success.
What activities were you involved with on or off campus, and did your business education impact those activities in any way?
I was involved in Greek life during my time at Georgia Tech. Being a part of Scheller intertwined with my life at Phi Gamma Delta. Many of my fraternity brothers were also business majors, which enhanced my sense of community. Serving on our fraternity's advisory board required me to use critical thinking and skills learned in classes like Project Management and Organizational Behavior to make informed analyses and decisions that impacted our entire brotherhood.
Where did you intern/co-op during school?
My first internship was at Cox Enterprises in Atlanta as a shared services intern. My next was at PwC in San Francisco as an advisory consulting intern in the Cloud and Digital practice, and most recently, I interned at Amazon in Washington, D.C., as a program management intern.
Where will you be working after graduation?
I will be working at PwC in New York in their Technology Consulting division.
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 resources provided to me helped secure my first internship at Cox Enterprises and led to my subsequent internship and full-time job offer at PwC. One day, I decided to attend a Scheller tabling event for one of the Big Four consulting firms after hearing about it from older friends. From there, I met the recruiter, applied, and the rest is history. The more connections I made with peers, faculty, and administration, the more opportunities I found that enhanced my Scheller experience and set me up for post-graduate success. I am grateful for the support Scheller provided in launching my career.
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?
During my Entrepreneurial Finance class, I worked with Dunkin' Donuts to help one of their district managers solve an issue with coffee ground disposal. We suggested turning the used coffee grounds into pellets that could be burned as a fuel source. My group presented this idea to a panel of venture capital investors at the end of the term, who provided feedback and suggestions.
Who would you like to thank most for your success?
I would like to thank God and my family. My faith has enabled me to achieve things greater than I could on my own, guiding me through challenges and being the fuel for my perseverance. My family has always pushed me to strive for success and supported me every step of the way, reminding me of my potential when I doubted myself. Their constant encouragement and belief in me motivated me to keep pushing forward even during tough times. Without their love and support, I would not be where I am today. They have been the backbone of my journey, and I am forever grateful for them.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
My family is originally from Nigeria. My mom and dad both came to the U.S. when they were 18.
What are some of your hobbies?
I enjoy spending time with friends and family, going to the gym, playing flag football, attending concerts, and going on hikes.
What are the top two items on your bucket list?
My top two items are travel-related: first, to visit and hopefully live in Japan for an extended time, and second, to travel to South Korea.