In business, technology has emerged as the great equalizer. Forget scale and brand. In the digital age, success is driven by quality, speed, and agility. That’s exactly what technology offers to upstarts and incumbents alike.
Business cases are packed with examples of how automation, connectivity, and outsourcing have slashed operating costs, opened new markets, and revolutionized business models. Amid the upheaval, technology has brought communities together – just as they’ve torn industries apart. In business school, you don’t truly understand how technology is closing gaps and diversifying markets in a one-off project. It is something you must experience every day in every class. That’s what makes the Scheller College of Business a template for MBA programs to follow.
“IT IS SCHELLER’S TIME TO SHINE”
“Tech” is part of the Georgia Tech name for a reason. Here, MBA students can complete concentrations in areas like Information Technology Management, Managing Innovation & Technology, and Business Analytics. That doesn’t include optional immersive tracks such as Technology Commercialization, Managing Technology Products, and Innovating for Sustainability – where coursework often dives into areas like nanotechnology and machine learning. Such tracks also draw upon Atlanta’s red-hot corporate, tech, and startup sectors. As a result, students enjoy a wealth of ongoing partnerships and projects.
Indeed, proximity is a plus for Scheller. Just a block away from its Midtown campus, you’ll find Tech Square – a sprawling innovation hub that’s home to Fortune 500 branches, startups, tech incubators, and venture capital firms. Next year, Georgia Tech will open Coda Tower across the street from Scheller. A 21-story architectural gem, Coda Tower is designed to bring together school researchers, computer scientists, and corporate partners. Ultimately, the space is expected to house over 2,000 professionals…including MBAs.
Dean Maryam Alavi (Center) with several MBA students including (from left) Stephen Stradley, Emily Dong, Neel Mitragotri, and Stephanie Landaverde
Between its tech-infused curriculum and vibrant commercial ecosystem outside its doors, Scheller is poised to become a major MBA force. ““We feel it is Scheller College’s time to shine,” says Katie Lloyd, executive director of MBA admissions. “We’re well-positioned to be the MBA program for the 21st century, from practical application, to our position at the intersection of business and technology and emphasis on business analytics. MBA programs worldwide are trying to move this direction, but we’re already there.”
‘DON’T NEED A TECH BACKGROUND HERE TO SUCCEED’
Such positioning is what drew the Class of 2020 to Scheller. One of those students is Thea Dietrick. A sales manager from Nestle USA, Deitrick admits that she comes to the Big Peach with “little hard technical skills.” Looking to move into supply chain management, Dietrick believes a better understanding of technology is key to transitioning into a new career.
“I was looking for a program that would not only emphasize the effect technology is currently having on almost every market and industry in the world, but also teach me how to use this technology to come to my own conclusions about what this meant for me, my future career, and how to navigate the decisions I will be charged with making in the future.”
Alas, “tech” can be an intimidating word – one that conjures up images of complex concepts and intricate processes that are beyond the grasp of liberal arts majors and Type-A sales reps. In reality, Scheller is hardly a nerd haven, filled with engineers and programmers looking to burnish their management credentials. Instead, it is a place where faculty and staff take great pains to get students up to speed on technology. At its heart, the Scheller MBA curriculum is geared to increase their understanding of how technology is re-shaping business. To succeed, students simply need to take a leap of faith – and bring a can-do attitude to match.
“The best part is you don’t have to have a technology background to be successful at Georgia Tech, says SaVona Smith, a regional sales manager who’s looking to pivot into brand management. “They teach you all you need to know!”
FIRST YEAR SAILS THROUGH HURRICANES – AND TRAVELS WITH TRUMP
86 students strong, the Class of 2020 is as diverse as MBA cohorts come. Take Joseph Carothers. He comes to Scheller after serving as a Company Commander for the U.S. Army’s Wounded Warrior unit, where he helped over 230 soldiers transition to civilian careers. Working in the derivatives market,
Rebecca Berge spearheaded a project that cut the interest rate swap volume on the Mexican peso by 35% in the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. How about Allison Rowell? A fourth year medical student at nearby Morehouse Medical Center, she started out as a traveling nurse – a job that prepared her for a career in business as much as medicine.
“You are typically walking into a pretty rough situation if a hospital requires agency nurses to fulfill staffing needs,” she explains. “Having the ability to walk into any hospital, with a bare minimum orientation, and being able to function independently under my scope of practice at that stage of my nursing career was a huge accomplishment. This experience gave me the confidence to finally pursue my dream of going to medical school.”
Ben Crom (Right) with Secretary of Transportation, the Honorable Elaine Chao, while at the U.S. Ambassador to France’s estate in Paris in 2017
Impressed? Just wait until you meet Ben Crom. During his career in the merchant marine, he has sailed through Category 3 hurricanes and traveled alongside President Trump. He has also sat in on meetings with the Secretary of Defense and Secretary of State and testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. So what led him to pursue an MBA? It boils down to two words: understanding and impact.
“When I was working at the Pentagon, I would observe decisions being made that had major impacts to organizations, nations, and people,” he explains. “Some of these decisions were counter-intuitive from the third-party outsider; I wanted to know what metrics upon which these decisions were based. I also knew that if I wanted to continue an upward career progression, a graduate degree would be paramount.”
GETTING INTO HARVARD…ON A DARE
Thea Dietrick endured her own rite of passage before business school. Before she turned 27, she was already managing 45 direct reports – with most being “twice my age, male, and proud.” Admittedly, many resented tested her. While the assignment tested her mettle, it also enabled her to grow as a leader.
“I worked tirelessly to prove them (and myself) wrong,” she says. “I asked questions, gave direct and actionable feedback when needed, and always followed up regardless if it was necessary. I did my best to defy stereotypes, show compassion, and empathy, but be a strong leader from the side, always letting the team think the direction or strategy was their idea.”
If that didn’t make an impression, this fact surely would: Dietrick holds a commercial driving license and can drive trucks weighing up to 52,000 pounds. That’s just one of the fun facts about the Class of 2020. Think getting into Harvard is near impossible. Not for Lindsey Waters, a brand analytics manager at Coca-Cola, who received an offer after applying the night before deadline…on a dare. SaVona Smith collected over 20 U.S. dance titles in clogging – a form of folk dance. Not to be outdone, Cynthia Latortue-Brooks, a MIT-trained architect, helped design the opening exhibit for the 2012 Reykjavik Arts Festival. Then there’s Mélanie Coissard, who has spent the past four years living in locales as disparate as Paris, Geneva, and Shanghai. Her claim to fame? She captained her college cheerleading squad…despite being unable to do a cartwheel!
That’s just the start. Osama Mikawi has climbed one of the Great Pyramids of Giza. Daniel Jester, a Squadron Operations Officer in the U.S. Army, recently won a 260-mile, two person relay race. Be wary of playing tennis with Yash Lakhotia. He once served an ace on a Davis Cup player…a guy who once defeated Roger Federer. Looking for dieting advice? Meet “mathmagician” Diana Nichols. “After surviving solely on fresh fruit and veggie juice for 60 days,” she says, “I dropped 44 pounds and ran my first marathon.”
A SOLID, GENUINE AND PASSIONATE CLASS
What does the Class of 2020 have to say about their peers? Nichols uses “solid” to describe her classmates. “They are the type to scoop you if you need a ride, lend you a blazer, huddle up for a quick cry and hug, and celebrate accomplishments with a free beer and a high-five. It amazes me how supportive and collaborative my classmates are, even though we’re competing for some of the same positions.”
For Jasmine Howard, “genuine” best encapsulates her early impressions of the incoming class. “I love that my cohort is full of unique and bold personalities,” writes the Tennessee native. “My classmates are confidently and authentically themselves—there’s no guarded apprehension or obnoxious posturing. Thanks to our small class size, we’ve all gotten to know each other quickly. It’s been so fun to find classmates who share the same interests, quirks, and eccentricities.”
In contrast, Mélanie Coissard was struck her classmates’ passion. “Being pushed by their passion means that their level of motivation is really high. We always have amazing conversations on just about every subject and I have learned so much just by talking with everyone about their passions.”
40% OF CLASS IS WOMEN
By the numbers, Scheller received 495 applications during the 2017-2018 cycle, with more than 50% ultimately choosing to enroll – a yield that tops nearby MBA programs like Vanderbilt Owen and Emory Goizueta. Overall, 40% of the 2020 Class is comprised of women, placing Scheller in a range normally inhabited by Top 10 schools. By the same token, 18% of the class features underrepresented American minorities. International students account for another 15% of the class.
Academically, the class brings a 681 GMAT average to campus, with scores ranging from 625-730 in the 80% range. 35% of the class also posted GRE scores, with averages being 162 (Quant) and 159 (Verbal). The average undergraduate GPA is 3.3 for the class. In terms of academic backgrounds, STEM – Engineering and Computer Science – make up the largest bloc of students at 41%. Business (22%), Social Sciences (16%), and Humanities (6%) also represent large segments of the class.
Not surprisingly, technology and engineering professionals hold more seats at 20% and 19% of the class respectively. Consulting (13%), consumer products and marketing (12%), government and military (11%), and financial services (8%) are also well-represented in the class.
Meet the Class of 2020 Series
Harvard Business School
London Business School
IESE Business School
University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School
Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management
University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business
MIT Sloan School of Management
Columbia Business School
UC-Berkeley Haas School of Business
Dartmouth College Tuck School of Business
Yale School of Mnnagement
University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business
Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business
Cornell University’s Johnson Graduate School of Management
UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School
New York University’s Stern School of Business
University of Texas-Austin McCombs School of Business
Emory’s Goizueta School of Business
Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business
Vanderbilt University Owen Graduate School of Management
Washington University’s Olin Business School
Georgia Institute of Technology’s Scheller College of Business
Babson College’s Olin Graduate School of Business
Scheller College of Business at Georgia Tech University
ONE OF THE WORLD’S BEST CAREER CENTERS
Technology may be Scheller’s calling card, but career services is undoubtedly its bread-and-butter. In 2018 student and alumni surveys conducted by the Financial Times and The Economist, Scheller’s Jones MBA Career Services Center ranked 1st and 3rd in the world respectively. Known for the staff’s intensive coaching and deep connections with the Atlanta business community, the center’s excellence is exemplified by the placement and pay. Notably, 97% of the Class of 2018 landed jobs within three months of graduation. Average base pay and bonus also came in at $112,729 and $21,246, with the biggest employers including Amazon, Microsoft, Deloitte and Delta Airlines. In addition, 100% of the 2019 Class received internship offers.
Thus far, the Class of 2020 has already seen the difference that the Jones Center makes. “They are extremely hands-on and are willing to work with you to explore your best fit for career options and companies,” says Cynthia Latortue-Brooks. “The core curriculum includes a career development workshop. This was a huge selling point for me, as a career switcher who had never worked in a corporate role. I didn’t find this level of career support at other programs I researched.”
This center’s trademark personal attention was also a blessing for Ben Crom, who is transitioning from the military to management consulting. “They didn’t want to settle for me “just” landing a job; they wanted to push me to land my “dream career,” he shares. “It was clear from the get-go that I wasn’t just an admissions number to the school and that Scheller really cared about my career, my MBA experience, and helping to facilitate the best decision for myself and my ambitions.”
DEEPLY CONNECTED TO THE LARGER GEORGIA TECH UNIVERSE
Brian Jennings
Academic excellence is another under-the-radar aspect of the Scheller experience. According to this year’s Economist survey, the school ranked 11th worldwide in “faculty quality.” Brian Jennings, associate dean for MBA programs and executive education, notes in a statement to Poets&Quants that Scheller faculty published 72 research papers over the past year alone. That said, Jennings also points to the larger university, which he describes as “world-renowned technological research university and strong entrepreneurial environment.” Notably, Georgia Tech is considered to be one of the world’s premier engineering schools, renowned in areas ranging from aerospace to biomedicine to industrial manufacturing. In 2018, U.S. News even ranked it among the world’s five-most innovative schools.
That creates synergies that amplify far beyond Scheller, Jennings adds. “Scheller College has the benefit of being an integral college within Georgia Institute of Technology. Thus, we are able to provide our students a chance to tap into a unique ecosystem for hands-on experiential learning and practicums with Fortune 500 companies and innovation centers, just steps away from their classrooms.”
This vision is realized through the Technological Innovation: Generating Economic Results program – more commonly known as TI:GER. Think of it as tech startup bootcamp, where hand-picked MBA students partner with students from graduate colleges like engineering, law, and sciences. Here, teams leverage their areas of expertise to help commercialize early stage research performed by Ph.D. candidates. In the process, students learn, step-by-step, how to turn an idea into a venture. They conduct market research, examine regulatory requirements, conduct testing, author business plains, and pitch investors. In the process, they build a network of potential mentors and champions who can assist them when they pursue their own business opportunities. At the same time, many TI:GER teams have also earned funding by winning national business competitions according to Jennings.
TI:GER TRAINS STUDENTS HOW TO LAUNCH INNOVATIVE TECH VENTURES
Rebecca Berge has already been selected as a TI:GER fellow. Now, she is teaming with an Emory JD candidate and a Ph.D. candidate from the nanotechnology lab to bring a venture to life. “Scheller, to me, represents the nexus of business and tech education,” she asserts. “I chose Scheller because I wanted to understand how innovation happens, and how valuable ideas can generate economic value – and I have the chance to learn that in hands-on applications at Scheller.”
The TI:GER program has certainly yielded its share of successes. Declan Nishiyama, a 2018 P&Q Best & Brightest MBA, cites LymphaTech, which received funding from the Gates Foundation to reduce Lymphatic Filariasis worldwide. Of course, Nishiyama is no slouch himself. He worked alongside a Ph.D. candidate from Georgia Tech’s College of Computing on an autonomous vehicle. The result? They won over $100,000 in fund through competitions and grants.
Kevin Stacia, Corporate Relations Manager, Jones MBA Career Services, instructing a student
Jermaine Fanfair, a 2017 P&Q MBA To Watch, wasn’t so fortunate with his venture, a dialysis technology that theoretically raise care quality for millions of patients. That’s not to say he didn’t gain from his experience, however. “I learned fundamentals of the innovation and commercialization process for new technology” he writes. “Also, our TI:GER team participated in the Georgia Bowl business plan competition this year. Unfortunately, we did not make it to the finals but it was a valuable experience that has really helped us move our commercialization plan forward.”
SCHELLER ANCHORS TECH SQUARE
There are few locations that are more friendly to the venture creation process than Atlanta. That starts with the Tech Square district. According to Brian Jennings, the area is home to over 100 startups and 50 accelerators and incubators. That doesn’t include the growing roster of big name firms establishing centers or labs in Tech Square to attract talent, including AT&T, Coca-Cola, Emerson, Home Depot, and Panasonic. It is an entrepreneur’s playground, replete with investors, technical experts, and researchers that offer access, know-how, and resources – all in a 1.4 million square foot ring surrounding Scheller.
“Being located in Tech Square, the Scheller College offers unparalleled access to learn in one of the nation’s premier start-up and high-tech business centers and interact with Fortune 500 companies, innovation centers, successful entrepreneurs and start-ups,” says Jennings. “This unique ecosystem provides depth and breadth of experiential learning opportunities as well as internships and career opportunities.”
When clicking off the benefits of Scheller, Stephanie Landaverde, a data management analyst, harkens back to a familiar phrase from real estate: “Location, Location, Location.” In her experience, “all companies are technology companies” now. That’s one reason why Atlanta has emerged as such a dynamic force. Home to 15 Fortune 500 companies – including Home Depot, UPS, Coca-Cola, and SunTrust – Atlanta is also a cultural hub. Sure enough, Georgia Tech is in the thick of it in Midtown.
“The Georgia Tech campus buzzes with energy thanks to its proximity to major companies and exciting startups in the city,” says Jasmine Howard. “I knew that by attending Scheller College, I would not only benefit from companies easily and frequently coming to campus, but I would also have convenient access to seek out networking opportunities on my own. Our business campus is surrounded by delicious restaurants and most of my cohort live within the immediate campus area. There’s always something going on! Atlanta is a city of reinvention and renewal, and we’re all enjoying its current renaissance as a high-tech center and film production hub.”
REBUILDING NEW ORLEANS OVER THE HOLIDAYS
Inside Scheller, the school also swells with opportunity and excitement. Take Practicums. These elective courses where students can apply their skills during consulting projects on behalf of firms like General Electric, NCR, and Delta Airlines, are popular with the Class of 2020. Mélanie Coissard, in particular, can’t wait for this spring’s International Practicum.
Saby Mitra, Professor of Information Technology Management, during a class instruction
“This class is designed to consult for a foreign company during a semester, and to travel to its country to actually meet with the executives and present our work to them,” she explains. “Combining consulting experience and international travel in a higher-level business setting is something really valuable, different and eye-opening on our way of conducting our work.”
Jasmine Howard’s twin passions are marketing and media. She is looking forward to helping run the Business Analytics Club, whose reach extends across campus. “Georgia Tech’s leadership in business analytics was one of my other key factors in choosing Scheller College, as I want to develop my analytical skills with hands-on projects with the Business Analytics Center’s corporate partners,” she says.
For Cynthia Latortue-Brooks, the big event is Scheller’s annual service trip to New Orleans with the Saint Bernard Project. “The trip occurs over a week in winter break, where volunteers rehab homes in neighborhoods still blighted by hurricanes Katrina, and more recently Harvey,” she writes. The trip is an opportunity to help families in need while simultaneously bonding with our classmates in the streets of New Orleans – it is a LOT of fun.”
INNOVATION FELLOWS HEADLINES NEXT FALL’S AGENDA
So what can the Class of 2020 expect during their time at Scheller? For starters, says Brian Jennings, the school will expand into a second building, which will be built over the next three years in Tech Square. The program has also added implicit bias training to MBA orientation to reinforce its commitment to “diversity, equity, and inclusion,” he says. At the same time, the program is beefing up its practicum and overall curriculum offerings.
“Tapping into our technology ecosystem, we are launching a new Innovations Fellows program for the Class of 2021,” Jennings notes. “The Innovations Fellows program will provide select students with internships at Fortune 500 Innovations Centers located in Tech Square. We have also added dual-degree program options, allowing students to combine an MBA with an M.S. or Ph.D. in programs within Georgia Tech’s Colleges of Computing, Design, and Engineering. Additionally, we launched an MD/MBA program in conjunction with Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta. These dual degree programs emulate today’s changing workplace and provide a unique opportunity that students may not find at other universities.”
That’s not all that makes Scheller unique, he adds. For one, the small class size creates a “tight-knit” and “collaborative” community, one where “faculty and staff are deeply vested in each student’s future.” For another, the program boasts a footprint and network that is second to none.
“Georgia Tech has a network of over 150,000 alumni across all 50 states and 132 countries and its network of leaders includes over 4,000 C-level alumni,” Jennings says. “Our ability to provide world-class programs and a unique approach to combine business acumen with tech-savvy and an entrepreneurial mindset prepares Scheller College MBA students to become future leaders across all industries.”
What led these professionals to enter business schools? Which programs did they also consider? What strategies did they use to choose their MBA program? What was the major event that defined them? Find the answers to these questions and many more in the in-depth profiles of these incoming MBA candidates.
| Student | Hometown | Alma Mater | Employer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rebecca Berge | Seattle, WA | Emory University | StatPro Group |
| Joseph Carothers | Honolulu, HI | U.S. Military Academy | U. S. Army/Wounded Warrior Unit |
| Mélanie Coissard | Clermont-Ferrand, France | Université de Technologie de Troyes | Wavestone |
| Ben Crom | NA | U.S. Merchant Marine Academy | U.S. Navy |
| Frances Theadora Dietrick | Johns Creek, GA | University of South Carolina | Nestle USA |
| Jasmine Howard | Chattanooga, TN | University of Tennessee | Treetree Agency |
| Daniel Jester | Alpharetta, GA | U.S. Military Academy | U.S. Army |
| Yash Lakhotia | Ajmer, India | Birla Institute of Technology | Mitsubishi Electric India |
| Stephanie Landaverde | Ellijay, GA | University of Georgia | Liberty Mutual Insurance |
| Cynthia Latortue-Brooks | Emerson, GA | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Casablanca Design Group |
| Osama Mikawi | Houston, TX | Texas A&M University | Occidental Oil & Gas Corporation |
| Diana Nichols | Chicago, IL | Florida A&M University | Vroom Vroom Escape Room |
| Allison Rowell | Atlanta, GA | Georgia Tech | Morehouse School of Medicine |
| SaVona Smith | Shallotte, NC | University of North Carolina | Mattress Firm |
| Lindsey Waters | Belmont, NC | Harvard University | Coca-Cola Company |
Rebecca Berge
Georgia Institute of Technology’s Scheller College of Business
“Biker girl seeking business skills to drive tech innovation for good!”
Hometown: Seattle, WA
Fun Fact About Yourself: I commute everywhere by bicycle! I have bike commuted a total distance of over one thousand miles since buying my current bike last April (2017).
Undergraduate School and Major: Emory University, Mathematics and Political Science
Most Recent Employer and Job Title: StatPro Group, Client Consultant
Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My favorite part of my role at TriOptima AB was observing the impact my work had on derivatives markets. For example, a big accomplishment I’m proud of was leading a project that ultimately resulted in the termination of 35% of outstanding Mexican peso interest rate swap volume cleared in the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. So, for people in that world monitoring that market, they would have seen a huge dip in outstanding volume on the day my project concluded. TriOptima was the only company providing a service like that, and really it was just a few people working on the team to deliver this innovative fintech solution. I loved being able to attribute an observable impact to my own work with the service.
What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? Generosity: everyone pitches in to help everyone else succeed.
Aside from your classmates, what was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? Scheller, to me, represents the nexus of business and tech education. I chose Scheller because I wanted to understand how innovation happens, and how valuable ideas can generate economic value – and I have the chance to learn that in hands-on applications at Scheller. The best example of this is the Technological Innovation: Generating Economic Results (TI:GER®) Program. As a TI:GER Fellow, I have been placed on a team with JD candidates from Emory and a Ph.D. candidate from a nanotechnology lab, and tasked to bring his research to market as a viable product.
What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? Graduate Student Government Association! I was recently elected to be an Executive Officer in the Graduate Student Senate at Georgia Tech.
What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? In general, I wanted to answer this question with all the holistic knowledge I had missed by working in such niche services within fintech.
How did you decide if an MBA was worth the investment? To me, Scheller represents the nexus of business and tech education. At the stage I was at in my professional life, I was looking for a comprehensive graduate-level education that would help me build practical skills for running any kind of business (a generalist “business” degree) but also for a program that would give me hands-on experience working with an early-stage venture.
Not only did I see the value of an MBA at Scheller; I wanted to enrich the program with my unique experience as a woman in financial tech. I was enabled to attend Scheller through a generous financial aid package and a grant from the Forte Fellows Program. The Forte Foundation provides support for women in business, and in this case their support enabled me to choose this MBA program.
What other MBA programs did you apply to? IE Business School (Madrid, Spain) and ESADE (Barcelona, Spain).
How did you determine your fit at various schools? My top considerations were experiential learning offerings, cost, and culture. I started by doing some research online, and then asking admissions departments to put me in touch with current students or alumni in my area who had participated in specific programs of interest.
From there, I chatted with alumni over the phone, over coffee, and at social events with alumni at seven different schools, and ultimately applied to four programs (including three MBA programs). I wanted to get a feeling for the kinds of people each program attracted, and for whether those people felt their professional goals had been furthered by their MBAs.
Then, once I had decisions back from each of the programs, I considered total cost.
What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? My defining professional moment didn’t happen at work. I was lucky enough to be invited to volunteer at the inaugural Katapult Future Fest in Oslo, Norway, two years ago, sponsored by the Katapult tech accelerator. Katapult Future Fest is an output-driven festival focusing on how exponential technologies and impact investing can create a thriving future society for all.
Katapult was the precipitating event motivating my applications to graduate school last year: I had a wake-up moment when I was struck by the thought, “I’m not just a volunteer – I can be a valuable contributor.” I want my own life’s work to be valuable – not just in terms of generating economic results, but in also in terms of the positive impact technology can have on the world. I reevaluated where I saw my professional life going, and meanwhile identified a technical skill gap – one that I am addressing as we speak in my MBA.
What do you plan to do after you graduate? I graduate in May 2020. My plan is to ride the Silver Comet and Chief Ladiga trail system on my bike, then go back to Katapult Future Fest in Oslo and then hike and travel around Scandinavia for a couple of months, and then start at my new job!
Where do you see yourself in five years? I see myself as a senior product manager. At this point, given my background in fintech, I can most clearly imagine working in that role for a software/digital product at a financial services company. But my ultimate dreams are to work at a venture capital firm (watching the startup landscape for the next big idea in fintech), or to work on a really exciting startup idea.
Joseph Carothers
Georgia Institute of Technology’s Scheller College of Business
“Army Medical Service Officer working to better the health care environment while having fun doing it.”
Hometown: Honolulu, Hawaii
Fun Fact About Yourself: I’ve traveled to 38 countries.
Undergraduate School and Major: United States Military Academy (West Point), Management
Most Recent Employer and Job Title: United States Army/Wounded Warrior Unit, Company Commander
Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Helping 234 wounded soldiers recover and transition successfully into a civilian career.
What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? Open-minded. My classmates are well educated, well-travelled, and have a wide variety of work experiences, which leads to a very accepting and comfortable atmosphere.
Aside from your classmates, what was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? Scheller College of Business focuses on the application of the materials and not just teaching the concepts. When I return to the Army, I want to be able to quickly and accurately apply lessons learned at Georgia Tech to improve Army health care.
What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? I look forward to the practicum classes. I believe these practicums will provide me with insight into a company’s operations that vary from the Army’s method of operations.
What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? The Army made this program available to me in order to specialize in accounting; I will bring that skill set back to Army hospitals.
How did you decide if an MBA was worth the investment? In speaking with mentors, I decided the two-year experience would allow me to hone my leadership skills and develop new skills in accounting that would greatly benefit my career.
What other MBA programs did you apply to? Georgetown, Foster (UW), and McCombs (UT).
How did you determine your fit at various schools? I first narrowed my search to MBA programs ranked in the top 35 on U.S. News & World Report and other online resources. I also limited my search to programs in major cities and that had an accounting concentration available. I then researched my top four schools via their websites to learn about program focuses, cultures, and opportunities. My final decision was based on the impression I got through working with the staff on my application and during my interview. Scheller was very personable and helpful throughout this process.
What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? My four years at West Point undoubtedly defined me. I learned effective time management, how to work well with others, and most importantly, I developed strong resiliency.
What do you plan to do after you graduate? After graduation, I will attend a one-year Army comptroller internship in San Antonio, Texas, and then enter a three-year utilization tour as a resource manager.
Where do you see yourself in five years? In five years, I will be completing my initial tour and hopefully moving to a larger hospital account or regional management role. Outside of my military position, I plan to have obtained my CPA and CFA.
Mélanie Coissard
Georgia Institute of Technology’s Scheller College of Business
“Life-long learner in pursuit of happiness with one leg in Europe and the other in the U.S.”
Hometown: Clermont-Ferrand, France
Fun Fact About Yourself: I was cheerleading captain at my undergraduate institution, but I didn’t know how to cartwheel.
Undergraduate School and Major: Université de Technologie de Troyes (France), Engineering Degree in Computer Science and Information Systems Management; Georgia Tech, Master of Science in Computer Science (dual-degree with MBA)
Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Wavestone, IT and Data Architecture Consultant (Wavestone is a French consultancy firm specializing in big-scale IT transformations.)
Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: As a consultant, I was brought onto a project that was failing, and the client was really unhappy. After redefining with him what needed to be done, putting in long hours to have the work done, and after presenting the final project, my client was really happy about things in the end. We thought we had lost a client, but it turned out that he hired my company for more projects after my intervention. Having this impact on a project is my biggest accomplishment so far.
What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? Passion. All my classmates are here in order to pursue their dreams and find a job that aligns with their passion. Being pushed by their passion means that their level of motivation is really high. We always have amazing conversations on just about every subject and I have learned so much just by talking with everyone about their passions.
Aside from your classmates, what was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? The focus on technology. Coming to an MBA program – from a master’s degree in Computer Science – it was really important for the two to make sense as a whole. Scheller College, in the middle of Atlanta’s Technology Square, demonstrates that technology is present in every class and every project that we take on. Moreover, a lot of actions are taken around product management (clubs, workshops, West Coast Trek, etc.) and, as I wanted to go into this field, Scheller was an evident choice.
What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? I am looking forward to the International Practicum held every spring semester. This class/activity is designed to consult for a foreign company during a semester, and to travel to its country to actually meet with the executives and present our work to them. Combining consulting experience and international travel in a higher-level business setting is something really valuable, different and eye-opening on our way of conducting our work.
What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? I spent six years studying computer science, and that led me to a very comfortable understanding of technology and development. I realized while completing my master’s that my true passion was indeed technology, but more focused on the strategy behind the products, and the steps involved in the making of an idea, to turn it into a tangible result. As I was getting ready to graduate, I knew that an MBA was the way for me to get the missing knowledge in business I needed to approach the jobs I was targeting. I was eligible at this point for a dual MS/MBA degree at the same school, so I decided to not wait a couple of years to attend business school, but to rather dive in immediately.
How did you decide if an MBA was worth the investment? The goal for me was very clear as an MBA was the path to getting my dream job, and not having one could actually prevent me from getting considered for certain positions. As I knew this was my only path to personal success and happiness, the investment was worth the cost. The dual-degree program option also shortened the length of the MBA program, and thus the total cost of the program, while also allowing to continue my previous work as a teaching assistant with Georgia Tech’s College of Computing.
What other MBA programs did you apply to? None others.
How did you determine your fit at various schools? I only looked at Scheller College as it has a dual-degree offering and when I decided that it was a fit, I didn’t apply to any other programs. My priority was indeed the focus on technology and how the MBA could blend with my computer science background. I knew some Scheller students beforehand (by meeting them around campus) and they were always really enthusiastic about the MBA program. The culture at Scheller can be understood easily by visiting the building for just a couple of hours. When I arrived for interview day, meeting with graduating students, alumni, professors, and staff, I felt like part of the family. Looking also at where the alumni are working now, many have jobs that match my career goals and I knew that I would benefit from this network and the program itself would help me reach my career goals.
What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? My defining moment was my exchange semester in Shanghai, China. I spent six months taking classes with Chinese students, exploring a new culture, and travelling along different cities and the countryside. I had to be understood without speaking the same language, use public transportation – which was very different than what I was used to. I developed a lot of adaptation tricks. I became more adventurous and more open to cultural differences, which really changed my perspective on the world. I met the most amazing people on this trip, and I still remember the lessons I learned from them, like humility, fraternity, and hospitality.
What do you plan to do after you graduate? I’d like to move to the West Coast and work as a product manager in technology. My goal would be to find a position in the management of machine learning products. Another dream of mine would be to launch my own side business helping young women achieve a balance between professional and personal successes.
Where do you see yourself in five years? I’d like to have been promoted to a senior management position. As a product manager, I would like to have a larger, more innovative role. (On a personal note, I hope my side business will have launched successfully, having helped women find success.)
Finally, I hope to have reached my goal to visit all 50 American states – plus Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico!
Ben Crom
Georgia Institute of Technology’s Scheller College of Business
“Navy veteran, avid bicyclist and rugby player, interested in the strategic impacts of business decisions.”
Hometown: Army Brat (but mostly Texas, Germany, and Colorado)
Fun Fact About Yourself: I have sailed through three hurricanes (two Cat-3s and one Cat-5) in the middle of the Atlantic and traveled with the President (Trump).
Undergraduate School and Major: United States Merchant Marine Academy, Maritime Operations and Technology
Most Recent Employer and Job Title: United States Navy, Flag Aide to the Director of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency
Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: I had the opportunity to serve as a flag aide to two different three-star directors of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency. In this capacity, I was able to travel with President Trump; sit in on meetings with the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of State; prepare and accompany the Director of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency to testify before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; and witness government and international relations at an extremely high level.
What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? Adaptable. They all come from unique and varied backgrounds, but have quickly endeared themselves to one another and jumped headfirst into the program. I am humbled by their backgrounds and accomplishments and how seamlessly the class integrated into a close-knit organization.
Aside from your classmates, what was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? As a transitioning Navy veteran, I knew that career services would be crucial for my post-MBA plans. Throughout my admissions process, Georgia Tech highlighted the community at Scheller and that they didn’t want to settle for me “just” landing a job; they wanted to push me to land my “dream career.” It was clear from the get-go that I wasn’t just an admissions number to the school and that Scheller really cared about my career, my MBA experience, and helping to facilitate the best decision for myself and my ambitions.
What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? I’m already getting involved in the MBA Veterans Club at Scheller. Among many other efforts, we support deployed units by sending them care packages. I’m hoping to pay it forward to the folks downrange the same way I was supported from the home-front when I was deployed. I’m also really looking forward to the international practicums that Scheller offers; it’s an opportunity to work a real corporate problem in a business and cultural environment outside the United States.
What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? When I was working at the Pentagon, I would observe decisions being made that had major impacts to organizations, nations, and people. Some of these decisions were counter-intuitive from the third-party outsider; I wanted to know what metrics upon which these decisions were based. I also knew that if I wanted to continue an upward career progression, a graduate degree would be paramount.
How did you decide if an MBA was worth the investment? The only other graduate degree I was considering was law school. Ultimately, I decided that an MBA is in demand in every single industry. Leaders who can foster cohesion across multicultural organizations and teams are almost recession-proof. Even law-firms need the skills learned in an MBA program. It was the marketability of the MBA credentials that led me to go all-in on pursuing the degree.
What other MBA programs did you apply to? University of North Carolina, University of South Carolina, and University of Georgia
How did you determine your fit at various schools? Career Services was the first factor I used to evaluate the programs I applied to and Scheller has consistently rated among the highest in the world. I also did a lot of research into where graduates end up after the MBA program and if the school kept in close contact with alumni. I predominately used the school’s websites and conversations with alumni to research the schools. I also took it upon myself to visit each of the schools I was applying to; I cannot stress that exercise to a prospective MBA candidate enough: you must visit the schools and meet the people! Scheller College was unique from other schools in that the school’s visitation program was almost entirely student-led. The student body has completely bought into the program and it shows. From as varied and diverse backgrounds as we have all come, I couldn’t imagine a better fit for me.
What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? I can’t remember one specific moment that defined me, but I would submit that my childhood as an Army Brat moving all over the world shaped my cultural and interpersonal curiosity. Moving every three years to new places forced me to become adaptable; it forced me to foster a curiosity about people and cultures. This curiosity continues today and is a major reason why I chose Scheller: a program that highlights the international perspective and endeavors to recruit as diverse a student body as any school I have researched.
What do you plan to do after you graduate? I am still figuring this one out. I am leaning towards management consulting or working in the operations or supply chain sector of a major corporation in the defense industry. I am fascinated by how strategic decisions are implemented at a tactical level and how tactical feedback loops inform those strategic decisions. I hope to be working “big-picture” type problem-sets in the corporate world.
Where do you see yourself in five years? Climbing the corporate ladder, taking on more and more difficult and complex problem-sets but, most likely sitting in some lounge at some nondescript airport typing up some report hoping that the next flight is the one that puts me over the next frequent-flier status tier.
Frances Theadora “Thea” Dietrick
Georgia Institute of Technology’s Scheller College of Business
“Fearless in pursuit of my passions; a brilliant life; meaningful work and a fantastic pair of shoes.”
Hometown: Johns Creek, GA
Fun Fact About Yourself: I have my Class B Commercial Driver’s License — I am a fully licensed truck driver!
Undergraduate School and Major: University of South Carolina, International Business, Economics, Management; Chinese Studies (minor)
Most Recent Employer and Job Title: District Sales Leader at Nestle USA
Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: I managed close to 45 people before entering grad school, and before the age of 27, with the vast majority (close to 85%) of my direct reports being twice my age, male, and proud. Having a 20-something girl placed as their manager was frankly not an ideal situation for them, and many did not take to my placement kindly. However, I worked tirelessly to prove them (and myself) wrong: I asked questions, gave direct and actionable feedback when needed, and always followed up regardless if it was necessary. I did my best to defy stereotypes, show compassion, and empathy, but be a strong leader from the side, always letting the team think the direction or strategy was their idea.
Slowly but surely, the members of my team came around to me in their own way. Maybe it was a reference to a daughter or a niece that I reminded them of; maybe it was subtly thanking me for a suggestion or answer I provided; or maybe it was sharing their sales win or favorite recipe with me. Regardless of the size, manner, or time it took to receive this display of acceptance, each time it happened I would swell up with pride, but even greater than that, thankfulness. I was thankful for them, for myself, for growth, in general, but mostly for proving that it could be done. In a day and age when it seems we are more divided than we are similar, I am so very proud of the connection I made with those men and what we were able to accomplish for our company.
What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? Impressive, yet humble. These people are all remarkable individuals — impressive resumes, outstanding careers, and diverse backgrounds. Yet, every single one of them is humble, supportive, and a great friend. We are competitively supportive — a giant family that roots each other on in our goals while continually striving to be the best new versions of ourselves. I am so happy to have 86 new best friends, as cheesy as it sounds. I am thankful to Scheller College for each and every one of them.
Aside from your classmates, what was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? It really was the emphasis on Georgia Tech’s position at “the intersection of business and technology.” Having not come from a tech background – and having very little hard technical skills – I was looking for a program that would not only emphasize the effect technology is currently having on almost every market and industry in the world, but also teach me how to use this technology to come to my own conclusions about what this meant for me, my future career, and how to navigate the decisions I will be charged with making in the future.
What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? Definitely being a Georgia Tech Student Ambassador. I love meeting new people and helping recruit the next class of Georgia Tech MBA students is something I am really excited to be a part of. I want to find a class as equally competitive, fun, and impressive as the one that surrounds me each and every day. Being an Ambassador comes naturally to me – I could be described as an “extra extravert” so any place where I get to tell people why I love what I love and why they should love it too is the best for me. And right now that place is Scheller College of Business!
What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? I always knew I wanted to pursue an MBA at some point in my career, but was unsure of the timing. I decided to start this past fall because I had reached a point in my career where I knew in order to make the successful pivot into supply chain, I needed a more formal education and foundation of the subject. Additionally, I knew it would act as a career accelerator and unlock new growth potential I hadn’t been privy to before my MBA.
How did you decide if an MBA was worth the investment? I specifically looked at national rankings of programs versus their annual tuition rate and expected return on investment in terms of salary, companies actively recruiting (alumni), and strength of degree. From there, I narrowed down my search based on small class size, geographic location, and difference from my undergraduate experience.
What other MBA programs did you apply to? None, because after my online comparisons I found there wasn’t a comparison among price, return on investment, class size and location.
How did you determine your fit at various schools? I can’t speak for other schools. At Georgia Tech I instantly felt at home after my first introduction to the school, curriculum and staff at the Open House. The admissions staff was so friendly, down to earth, and really made me feel welcome at Scheller. This was huge for me, considering the pure investment in time I was about to make at a single place for the next two years; I wanted to feel at home there. The staff were not only brilliant, accommodating, and passionate, but I felt a connection with each of them instantly – like not only could I be professional acquaintances with them, but I could be friends. This gut feeling is almost impossible to replicate, and I couldn’t have found it anywhere else.
What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? A defining moment in my life is when I moved to Hong Kong at 19 years old as part of a two-year exchange program between the University of South Carolina and the Chinese University of Hong Kong. As a bright-eyed, bushy-haired sorority girl, I was completely out of my element, my culture and my comfort zone. To be quite literal, I was on the other side of the world from it. I didn’t know anyone, had never been to Hong Kong, and didn’t speak the native language. Still, I was tasked with starting a life in this foreign country. To think back at the crash course of what being an adult meant, while trying to become an adult at the same time, I am equally grateful for both the ups-and-downs my time living abroad provided. It turned out to be the single most impactful decision I ever made, and I am so thankful for the life, friendships, and learnings I cultivated during my two years. My learned resilience gave me the fundamental faith in myself to know I would always be able to navigate any challenge life threw my way.
What do you plan to do after you graduate? I hope to be working in supply chain sourcing for an apparel company. I have a passion for connecting people with the products that fulfill their lives (hence my forever search for the perfect pair of shoes).
Where do you see yourself in five years? Hopefully I will still be pursuing my passions, whatever they may be, or morph into by then! Personally, I would hope to be settled with a supportive spouse and my cat. Professionally, I hope to have climbed the corporate ladder and be well on my way to breaking a glass ceiling or two — the sky’s the limit. But, I guess a VP or director-level position wouldn’t be the worst place to land in the meanwhile.
Jasmine Howard
Georgia Institute of Technology’s Scheller College of Business
“Always on the lookout for great processes, great television, and great pimento cheese.”
Hometown: Chattanooga, TN
Fun Fact About Yourself: When I was in 7th grade, my mom won a sweepstakes trip to London for a Harry Potter-themed adventure. (Not that I needed the extra reason, but I will forever love Harry Potter.) Also, I am an 11th great-granddaughter of Pocahontas.
Undergraduate School and Major: University of Tennessee (Knoxville), Marketing and International Business
Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Treetree Agency, Account Manager (OhioHealth and Nationwide)
Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: In October 2017, I worked on a series of events focused on the opioid crisis in southeastern Ohio. My client was a major health care provider for the area, and we brought a nationally-acclaimed author to speak to various audiences affected by the epidemic. From police and local judges to patients and physicians, I met so many people who see different sides of this complex and devastating problem. In marketing and communications, it is often easy to distance yourself from the reality of the problem you’re trying to tackle. By essentially living in southeastern Ohio for a week, I became an honorary community member and feel proud to have created a local impact.
I recently found out that the event series was internally recognized at the highest level of my client’s organization, and I’m thrilled that my team deservedly received a prestigious award for their stewardship of the company’s values.
What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? Genuine. I love that my cohort is full of unique and bold personalities. My classmates are confidently and authentically themselves—there’s no guarded apprehension or obnoxious posturing. Thanks to our small class size, we’ve all gotten to know each other quickly. It’s been so fun to find classmates who share the same interests, quirks, and eccentricities.
Aside from your classmates, what was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? I chose Scheller College for its location in midtown Atlanta. The Georgia Tech campus buzzes with energy thanks to its proximity to major companies and exciting startups in the city. I knew that by attending Scheller College, I would not only benefit from companies easily and frequently coming to campus, but I would also have convenient access to seek out networking opportunities on my own. Our business campus is surrounded by delicious restaurants and most of my cohort live within the immediate campus area. There’s always something going on! Atlanta is a city of reinvention and renewal, and we’re all enjoying its current renaissance as a high-tech center and film production hub.
What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? I am most looking forward to Business Analytics Club. This club helps us reach beyond the MBA program, as it includes students from across Georgia Tech and partners directly with exciting companies for events and networking. Georgia Tech’s leadership in business analytics was one of my other key factors in choosing Scheller College, as I want to develop my analytical skills with hands-on projects with the Business Analytics Center’s corporate partners.
What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? In the past few years of my career, I’ve become increasingly interested in both the bigger picture, the strategic decisions of organizations as well as the nitty-gritty analytical capabilities within them. After working for six years in marketing communications, the time was right to bolster my experience with an MBA in pursuit of higher-level roles for my future.
How did you decide if an MBA was worth the investment? It’s a huge decision, not to mention the financial risk to step away from work for two years. However, I felt my career trajectory and salary were stagnating in a pretty saturated job function, and I was ready to take the leap. I wanted to fully immerse myself in an MBA program, and I felt like I would get the most out of a full-time experience rather than a part-time or online program.
Two things helped me recognize that Scheller College was worth the investment: first, Scheller has a best-in-class career services team. Its Jones MBA Career Center helps coach each year of graduates to their dream roles with impressive salaries that rival any other elite MBA program. Second, I was very fortunate to be awarded a full merit-based scholarship. This gave me financial assurance going into the program and made me feel valued for what I can bring to the classroom.
What other MBA programs did you apply to? I applied to Emory University (Goizueta), Vanderbilt University (Owen), and Ohio State University (Fisher).
How did you determine your fit at various schools? I paid attention to how the different admissions teams and current students made me feel during the process. The admissions team at Scheller College made me feel like I was already a good fit for the program — I didn’t need to wonder or worry. In conversations with current students, I listened to the words they used to describe their communities, the activities they most frequently mentioned, and their comments about their cities and neighborhoods. While I wanted to surround myself with diverse classmates, it was helpful to gauge similar values, lifestyles, and motivations.
I always tell prospective students to be honest with themselves about what they truly want out of a program and out of their long-term career. You have to know yourself first before knowing what environment you will thrive in.
What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? At age 23, my now-husband and I decided to get married after only dating for two months. I shocked a lot of people — friends, family, and most notably my employer who had just offered to upgrade my contractor status to a full-time gig. I turned down the dream job offer knowing that I would soon be moving to a new state as my husband pursued his graduate degree.
It all sounds very dramatic looking back, but it wasn’t that difficult of a decision for me. It was the right choice, and it helped me learn early on in my career to ignore the noise and expectations of other people and to confidently pursue the path that’s best for me.
What do you plan to do after you graduate? After graduation, I plan to work in product management or marketing analytics. Given my marketing background and personal passion for media, I am particularly interested in how advertising is targeted, delivered, and measured. I’d love to work in ad tech or in a similar area of innovation.
Where do you see yourself in five years? If the past five years of my career have been an indicator, the future is very difficult to predict. In five years, I hope to be happy, healthy, and employed. Anything additional is a bonus.
Daniel Jester
Georgia Institute of Technology’s Scheller College of Business
“I’m enjoying running the race we call “life” and trying to make friends along the way.”
Hometown: Alpharetta, GA
Fun Fact About Yourself: A friend and I recently won a two-person relay race from Savannah, GA, to Columbus, GA. It took us 83 hours to complete the 260-mile run.
Undergraduate School and Major: United States Military Academy, Psychology
Most Recent Employer and Job Title: United States Army, 1-16th Cavalry Squadron Operations Officer
Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Shortly before finishing my time in the Army, I served above my rank in the Army as a Squadron Operations Officer and as the lead planner for the 2018 Sullivan Cup, a biennial competition to determine the best tank crew in the Army. My team and I put together an action-packed two weeks of competition for 15 teams and hundreds of spectators.
What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? Reliability. As we were grouped into teams with whom we would work with for all our core classes (through our first semester), I was unsure how effective they would be based on group projects in undergrad. I quickly realized that Scheller makes it a point to recruit and admit reliable candidates who can be counted on to do their part, and more. My team has varied levels of experience in different industries, countries, and functions and all bring something new to the table in each assignment. We have been able to divide and overlap responsibilities and haven’t had a single miscue or dropped assignment during our first core classes.
Aside from your classmates, what was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? The Jones MBA Career Center. As a transitioning veteran, I was very motivated to go to a program that would be able to help me translate my military skills into a civilian career and the high-ranking of the Career Center (along with reviews from the Class of 2019) convinced me that they would be my best choice for making the most of my previous experiences for my next opportunity.
What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? I am most looking forward to Consulting Club. After I finish my MBA, I plan on using the lessons I learned in the military to begin a career in Consulting. I am excited that our Consulting Club brings in valuable networking events and case preparation that I’m sure will prepare me for the challenge.
What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? As I started looking for jobs when preparing to leave the Army, I quickly realized that while my years in the service had given me many amazing experiences, I was unsure how to leverage my skills and lessons learned into a corporate setting. I felt that the MBA program would help me translate those experiences while also teaching me the lessons I hadn’t learned in the military.
How did you decide if an MBA was worth the investment? While examining the actual and opportunity costs of a Scheller MBA, I determined it was worth the investment due to the increased income I will be able to enjoy in just two years. I looked closely at Scheller’s return on investment national ranking and am grateful my wife is continuing to serve in the Army during my degree to help pay for the program along with the G.I. Bill. While dropping to a single income is less comfortable in the short term, we are confident that the job market for MBAs will be significantly more lucrative than the job market for transitioning officers and we will be able to more than make up for the two years of missed income.
What other MBA programs did you apply to? No others.
How did you determine your fit at various schools? I prioritized the culture of the MBA program, the return on investment, and the career services. I examined culture in my conversations with Student Ambassadors during my interview and welcome weekends and evaluated the other factors using primarily online rankings. I knew that Scheller would help prepare me for a career in consulting because I spoke with the program office and learned that almost 40% of graduates start in that field after graduation.
What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? My defining moment was my decision to attend the United States Military Academy for my undergraduate degree and the commitment that entailed to spend five years, after graduating, in the U.S. Army. This helped develop my love of service and leadership skills through four years at the Academy and as an Armor Officer in the Army. While I decided to leave the uniformed service at the end of my commitment, I still feel a strong call to continue to serve through volunteering and non-profits, and to lead in any organization I am a part of.
What do you plan to do after you graduate? After graduation, I plan to work at one of the Big 4 consulting firms in strategy and operations or supply chain consulting. I also plan to stay involved with the Team RWB Chapter in whatever city I end up in. Team RWB is a national nonprofit that seeks to connect veterans and active duty service members to their local communities through physical and social activities. I became involved while stationed at Fort Benning, GA, and eventually served as the Veterans Outreach Coordinator of our chapter. I truly believe in the mission of the organization and plan to stay involved in whatever capacity I can after graduation.
Where do you see yourself in five years? I see myself as a principal or manager at a Big 4 consulting firm.
Yash Lakhotia
Georgia Institute of Technology’s Scheller College of Business
“I am modest, but hard working, and I consistently set firm goals for myself.”
Hometown: Ajmer (Rajasthan), India
Fun Fact About Yourself: I am a big sports enthusiast. My biggest achievement is serving as an ace in tennis to a Davis Cup player, who, apparently, once defeated the great Roger Federer.
Undergraduate School and Major: Birla Institute of Technology (India), Electronics and Communication Engineering
Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Mitsubishi Electric India; Sr. Engineer, Product Marketing
Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: A couple of years into my career, I was looking for new opportunities to expand my product’s revenue stream. During a visit to Germany for an automation expo called Hannover Messe, I met a few executives from Mitsubishi Europe. During our discussion, I told them about the product I was handling and how in a short span of time it had transformed the Indian automation market. We also discussed a few of the key applications done on the product.
Fortunately, one application struck them. They were looking for a similar application for quite some time. I suggested that once I got back to India, I would send them a detailed proposal for the product and application. They liked the proposal and wanted to come to India for technical inspection.
The main hurdle for this collaboration was export — something never done in the entire 25-year history of the firm. So, I had to talk my way into upper management for approval. With some persistence, I finally got the approval.
The team from Europe came and we had a great discussion. A month later, they placed the first order for 1,000 units. That was just the start; I carried and lead the export project and before leaving the organization, I had already established market presence in three countries.
Aside from your classmates, what was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? Scheller College was one of the few programs which I targeted from the very beginning. The main reason that I considered it to be a top program is because it is one of the few programs — if not the only– which provides a perfect mix of technology and business, which resonates with my career trajectory. Being in the heart of Tech Square and with Georgia Tech behind its name, Scheller provides valuable resources such as the Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC), the Innovation Center, and very unique electives.
What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? I am looking forward to being part of the Consulting Club and leveraging their resources to land a career in consulting. In addition, I want to learn and develop key skills such as strategic thinking and innovation and our Strategy and Innovation Club does a great job in doing so. Finally, I am also looking forward to contributing to Scheller by being an Admissions Ambassador and promoting the Scheller brand to prospective students.
What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? I worked for almost four years in my previous job at Mitsubishi as a product manager and I was fortunate enough to land a management-related job early in my career. Part of my job was to support internal strategic planning to make business decisions for future rollout of products which really resonated me. I realized that I wanted to do something similar in my career.
The next step was to do decide how to reach at that position. I talked to a few family members and friends to gain their perspective. In addition, I reached out a few people from LinkedIn with similar profiles and learned about their career trajectory.
One thing which was common among all was an MBA from a top university and thus, I decided that an MBA would be a great commitment to take in order to reach my career goal.
How did you decide if an MBA was worth the investment? An MBA is one of the most prestigious degrees and the courses and hands-on practices resonated with me. Having some finance skills under my belt, I calculated the payback period for some of my targeted schools. I also acknowledged the programs which provided scholarships and I was fortunate enough to enter Scheller with full scholarship.
What other MBA programs did you apply to? USC Marshall, Duke (Fuqua), Insead, Emory University
How did you determine your fit at various schools? While researching schools (and especially being an international student), its fit was very important for me. There were primarily three top factors which I considered: career focus, school culture (cohort size, diversity, etc.), and location.
To determine school fit, I used various methods such as talking to current students (typically admission ambassadors) and alumni. Talking to the students was the best possible way to determine culture and know hidden insights about the program which one cannot find on the Internet.
To determine if it would align with my career goals, I extensively researched top MBA websites such Poets and Quants and GMAT Club in addition to the school’s website. Poets and Quants and school websites were great resources to identify information such as industry focus, internship by industry and function, and mean salary. GMAT Club was primarily used for finding out insights about the programs.
What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? I was also one of the top students during my primary school days. Due to poor financial conditions, my parents had leave India and move to a different country in search of jobs. This caused a loss of focus in my studies.
Somehow, I pushed myself and entered into a top college, but I still had a lack of determination. Finally it struck me when I was unable to land a job, after tons of failed interviews, that I knew that this was the time I needed change my ways. I worked hard, analyzed my weakness, and strategized my proceeding towards achieving the goal of getting a job. Courtesy of the support of my friends and family — and my willingness to succeed — I got a great job. This was the defining moment of my life and professional career. I did not look back and kept moving forward. I did well at my job (securing two promotions in three years) passed all levels of my CFA exam, got a strong GMAT score, and finally succeeded at landing admission to Scheller.
What do you plan to do after you graduate? Post-MBA, I aspire to work as a senior consultant at a consulting firm such as Deloitte, PwC, or EY. In addition, I am also flexible to work in the internal strategy department of a large company.
Where do you see yourself in five years? After I complete my MBA, I want to start out as a consultant and increase my skills and breadth of industry experience. After that, I want to specialize in firm’s related operations and strategy and strive to become COO or CFO.
Stephanie Landaverde
Georgia Institute of Technology’s Scheller College of Business
“Introvert with extrovert skills; wanna-be chef; Mexican-American, reader, and professional napper.”
Hometown: Ellijay, GA, and Queretaro, Mexico
Fun Fact About Yourself: I love to plan theme parties. If you found yourself in Portsmouth, New Hampshire on May 5, 2016, you probably saw my friends dance the Macarena in the town square. I talked 20 of my closest friends into a Cinco de Mayo-themed scavenger hunt. They serenated a stranger and shared the history of Cinco de Mayo across town. It was freezing, and they partnered up with people they had never met. At the end of the night, they visited new parts of town, learned more about Cinco de Mayo, embarrassed themselves, and bonded with new friends.
Undergraduate School and Major: University of Georgia, Management Information Systems
Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Liberty Mutual Insurance, Senior Data Management Analyst
Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Moving to a brand new team would be my biggest accomplishment so far. After three years on the same team, I realized that I had a lot to learn if I wanted to run a company one day. So I proactively moved to teams where I had no experience. Although it was hard to get acclimated, I learned about enterprise technology, new product development, and finance.
What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? The quality that best describes my classmates is easy-going. Although we are all here to radically change our future, we have fun and look for ways to enjoy every step.
Aside from your classmates, what was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? Location. Location. Location. After undergrad, I moved to New England, but I wanted to come back to be part of the growth Georgia is experiencing. This growth is primarily driven by technology, and there is no better place to be than Tech Square and Georgia Tech. I am a firm believer that all companies are technology companies that specialize in different services or products. Post-MBA, I want to help companies better utilize technology. At Scheller, I can learn about a variety of technologies and how they can be applied. Also, Atlanta has a huge Latino community, and it has always been my goal to help provide all Latinos with access to the resources needed to be successful. Being in Atlanta will help me understand the current needs of my community and give me the opportunity to help.
What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? I am most looking forward to joining the Consulting Club and establishing a Latino MBA Club. The Consulting Club will prepare me for my career in consulting and I am looking forward to competing in case competitions.
Second, as I researched the different MBA programs, I noticed that few Latinos are earning their MBAs, and I want to increase this number. Establishing a club at Scheller will help recruit Latinos and guarantee Scheller’s Latino MBA candidates succeed during and after business school. Latinos are the largest growing minority in the U.S. As a Latina, I want to make sure Latinos are ready to contribute in all areas of our communities.
What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? I wanted to continue to gain depth and breadth across all functions of a large organization. My long-term goal is to run a Fortune 100 company. I believe that for me to do that well, I need to understand a variety of industries, methodologies, working styles, etc. I decided to pursue an MBA to complete my first-hand experience with academic best practices in my journey to grow as a business leader.
How did you decide if an MBA was worth the investment? I fully believe in myself and that any investment in myself is worth it.
What other MBA programs did you apply to? The Carnegie Mellon University Tepper School of Business
How did you determine your fit at various schools? I realized Scheller was the right place for me when I visited and interacted with the staff and students. It just felt right to me. Never underestimate the power of visiting the programs.
What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? Moving to New Hampshire after undergrad. When I tell people that moved to New Hampshire, they ask, ‘why?’. Did I have family there or had I lived there before? The answer is “no” to both questions. I was offered a great job opportunity and I had never lived north of Georgia so, why not? I drove from Ellijay, Georgia to Portsmouth, New Hampshire all by myself. Surprisingly, I was not scared. I wanted to see what it was like and I just knew I would be fine. I loved living in New Hampshire. I made myself meet people, planned a Christmas party, and explored the area. Today, I know no limits. If can move to a town where I knew no one and created lifelong friendships, I can do anything.
What do you plan to do after you graduate? I want to continue to help organizations plan and utilize technology as a consultant. I also want to continue to help young Latinos get the knowledge, tools, and confidence to pursue any goal.
Where do you see yourself in five years? I see myself continuing to help companies prepare for the future. I would like to eventually consult companies on how to prepare for a more diverse market.
Cynthia Latortue-Brooks
Georgia Institute of Technology’s Scheller College of Business
“Architecture-student-turned-engineer-turned-brand-strategist who is dog and concert obsessed.”
Hometown: Emerson, GA, and San German, Puerto Rico
Fun Fact About Yourself: I was on the team responsible for creating the opening exhibit for the 2012 Reykjavik Arts Festival.
Undergraduate School and Major: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Architecture
Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Casablanca Design Group, Product Development Engineer
Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Taking the opportunity to lead my engineering team by creating a new method to organize components for our library of 3D models. I was the most junior member of the team, but I recognized a problem with how components of our 3D models were organized. My idea reduced errors and the amount of time spent on modeling revisions to a family of products. I implemented it and it became a department-wide standard. I owned our process of organizing and modeling product families and trained new and experienced employees in it. This action opened more time for engineers to develop ideas and value engineer products.
What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? Humility. There are so many students at Scheller from such crazy and diverse backgrounds, both personal and professional, and no one student thinks any less of another because of that. We all feed from each other’s experiences and use those to teach one another; as a non-business background student this has been a tremendous way to get acclimated to new material quickly.
Aside from your classmates, what was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? The Jones MBA Career Center at Scheller is incredible. They are extremely hands-on and are willing to work with you to explore your best fit for career options and companies. The core curriculum includes a career development workshop. This was a huge selling point for me, as a career switcher who had never worked in a corporate role. I didn’t find this level of career support at other programs I researched. Those programs emphasized that I should definitively know what I am targeting from the start. Scheller, however, worked with me to develop my potential and helped me explore my ambitions.
What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? I’m looking forward mostly to Scheller’s annual service trip to New Orleans with the Saint Bernard Project (SBP), a nonprofit disaster relief organization. The trip occurs over a week in winter break, where volunteers rehab homes in neighborhoods still blighted by hurricanes Katrina, and more recently Harvey. The trip is an opportunity to help families in need while simultaneously bonding with our classmates in the streets of New Orleans – it is a LOT of fun.
What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? Prior to getting my MBA, I worked in design and engineering. I worked closely with quick-service brands to create their restaurant interiors, and I was surprised and disappointed to learn that I didn’t hold as much influence over the final product as I wanted. I worked under the directives of corporate brand managers and operations and the bulk of my work was implementing decisions they already made. I was unhappy with that position and was exploring ways out of it. I was interested in the reasoning behind their decisions and I wanted to wield the same level of control over products and the consumer experience, so I decided to pursue an MBA.
How did you decide if an MBA was worth the investment? I was too deep in my world of design and engineering, so I never considered going to business school until I saw my husband (also an engineer) go through it. I witnessed his transformation and I learned that business schools and MBAs were not for my preconceived idea of people who were ‘squares!’ I got to meet his classmates and I learned about their varied backgrounds and they were all excited about where their careers were heading. I wanted to achieve their level of career excitement and goal clarity, since I was unhappy with my career at the time. To me, that transformation is invaluable, and worth the investment in an MBA. It’s also worth it because I love school! It was my goal to go back for a master’s degree but didn’t want to pursue another degree in design.
What other MBA programs did you apply to? I applied to Scheller’s Full-time program and Kellogg’s MMM program.
How did you determine your fit at various schools? In choosing a school, I prioritized schools with a focus on technology and an inviting student body. First, I looked at the companies and roles that recruited at each school. Secondly, I made a point to meet as many of the current students as I could. I relied mostly on online resources such as school websites and LinkedIn profiles.
I also relied heavily on reaching out to students and alumni from the programs. I used the responsiveness of the program’s alums to gauge how happy they were with their experience and how likely they were to respond to me if I was a student of their program trying to network with them.
What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? It was moving to Boston to attend MIT, where I did not know anyone in the city or university. The transition was intimidating, coming from my small high school in a rural town in north Georgia. I leaned into the opportunity and situation, met a lot of people, and learned more than I thought possible, both personally and academically. It unearthed the exploratory and thrill-seeking side of my personality.
From that experience, I learned that I’m eager to jump into unfamiliar situations and I thrive on navigating those moments. I have the same feeling now pursuing an MBA; this experience is completely foreign from the academic and career fields I spent the last 10 years in.
What do you plan to do after you graduate? Take a vacation! But really, I would love to be in a brand strategy role where I’m able to impact consumers’ interactions with a company’s products, services, and devices.
Where do you see yourself in five years? In five years, I’d love to have experienced enough to be directing the brand strategy and making the important decisions regarding what the customer’s experience should be.
Osama Mikawi
Georgia Institute of Technology’s Scheller College of Business
“Tenacious problem solver with an insatiable curiosity, always looking to grow my global family!”
Hometown: Houston, Texas, and Giza, Egypt
Fun Fact About Yourself: I climbed one of the Great Pyramids of Giza.
Undergraduate School and Major: Texas A&M University, Chemical Engineering
Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Occidental Oil & Gas Corporation, Staff Facilities Engineer
Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: I had the opportunity to develop an original facility design for my team, which was later adopted as the standard across the entire New Mexico region. Having my personal project recognized on an organizational level, and see how my work is making a difference was the ultimate reward!
What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? Camaraderie. I initially bought into the stereotype that MBA programs are extremely competitive where students are solely focused on personal goals. At Scheller, it is very much the opposite. While we are all competitive in our own way, the underlying goal is to get the best out of your teammates and it is really refreshing to learn from the expertise of those around you.
Aside from your classmates, what was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? The sustainability concentration as well as the partnership with the Ray C. Anderson Center for Sustainable Business was key for me. My early career in oil and gas has opened my eyes to all the opportunities we have to do things better while keeping the future in mind. This pushed me to seek a career as a leader for sustainable business. An MBA is the ideal opportunity to propel me forward in this new field, connecting with current business leaders that champion sustainable practices in their fields. As a young professional, I believe I have much to learn from current sustainable practices, to ensure business development need not be achieved at the expense of the future of our community or environment.
What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? I am excited to get involved in Net Impact. The Scheller chapter of the organization is very active and I was looking forward to participating in their case competitions. It would be an opportunity to be challenged to think differently to solve the problems of tomorrow.
What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? After working for five years in an industry that was very rigid in its approach to development and business innovation, I realized I needed a graduate degree to compliment my technical background. An MBA will provide that fundamental business knowledge I did not receive as an undergraduate. This knowledge is necessary to make that transition to leadership positions where I can better influence business strategy and have a visible impact on the future of an organization.
How did you decide if an MBA was worth the investment? The financial investment for me was not an issue but rather it was the time investment, which involves leaving the workforce for two years. I considered the skills I would build while fully engaged in the program to be invaluable. In addition, the potential network that I will build during those two years would be worth tenfold two more years in the regular workforce.
What other MBA programs did you apply to? I only applied to Scheller because I knew it was the perfect fit for me and the goals I was looking to achieve post-MBA.
How did you determine your fit at various schools? I put a lot of effort into networking early on with the admissions team. I flew to Atlanta from Houston to attend Scheller Open House. This experience was pivotal, as it gave me a chance to interact with current students in the program. It was that weekend that confirmed that I would thrive in the Scheller community and foster strong relationships that will last. I also reached out to the director of the Scheller College Ray C. Anderson Sustainability Center, and he was more than happy to connect and share its goals and how they are integrated in the MBA program. This was important to me as it confirmed that the program at Scheller will set me up on the path of success that I desire post-MBA.
What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? I believe my defining moment was my decision to move to the U.S. in 2011. I was a sophomore at the Texas A&M University’s branch campus in Doha, Qatar. While I had the opportunity to receive a world-class education so close to home, I always had this curiosity of realizing my own version of the American Dream. I was convinced that to tap into my true potential, I needed to challenge myself by leaving the comfort of the familiar and venture into the unknown. So, I decided to apply for a campus transfer fall 2010. Within a year, I was on a flight from Doha, Qatar, to College Station, Texas, with little idea of what was to come. That move changed my life forever, offering me the opportunity at my first internship, a successful career at a Fortune 500 company, and later pursuing my MBA in one of the top programs in the nation.
What do you plan to do after you graduate? My goal is to be working in corporate strategy for an industry leader. The best place to be to leave my mark and work on common goal-making the world a better place through responsible corporate stewardship.
Where do you see yourself in five years? Geographically, I don’t know as long as I am with the love of my life, Laura. Professionally, I would like to be leading my own organization, inspiring change and running businesses that keep future generations in mind and adapting to an ever-changing environment.
Diana Nichols
Georgia Institute of Technology’s Scheller College of Business
“Mathmagician with a creative flair who is itching to turn absolutely everything into a business.”
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Fun Fact About Yourself: After surviving solely on fresh fruit and veggie juice for 60 days, I dropped 44 pounds and ran my first marathon.
Undergraduate School and Major: Florida A&M University, Economics; Georgia Tech, M.S. Economics
Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Vroom Vroom Escape Room, President and Co-Founder; Munich Re, Actuarial Associate
Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My biggest accomplishment so far has been the ability to hire others. I was able to take an idea for a mobile escape room, flesh it out into an actual desired experience, grow it to reach thousands, and hire talent to help expand it. I’ve made several attempts at starting businesses in the past (selling hand-painted tees, selling coconut jerky, and trading stock options) but never quite ventured past the hobby-loss phase. Now I’m in a position to employ others who share in our mission and it feels absolutely wonderful!
What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? In one word: solid. They are the type to scoop you if you need a ride, lend you a blazer, huddle up for a quick cry and hug, and celebrate accomplishments with a free beer and a high-five. It amazes me how supportive and collaborative my classmates are, even though we’re competing for some of the same positions.
Aside from your classmates, what was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? My key factor for choosing Scheller College was its focus on entrepreneurship. When your goal is to loan Oprah money, you have to be in an environment that cultivates and rewards your entrepreneurial curiosity. I found that here. Scheller focuses on all things innovation and Georgia Tech has a wealth of programs for start-ups. It wasn’t a difficult choice for me.
What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? I’m mostly looking forward to the Finance Club. Tangential to my entrepreneurial endeavors is my budding desire to delve into private equity and venture capital. Having been in the midst of the Atlanta start-up scene, I’ve come to learn (the hard way) that acquiring capital is every business owner’s bane. I want to help with that. Private equity is a closely-guarded field, but as a member of the Scheller MBA Finance Club, I hope to be better exposed to its network and opportunities.
What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? I decided to pursue an MBA now because I wanted more options. My goal is to develop the leadership and business acumen to take my company to the next level and to contribute in a corporate intrapreneurial environment.
How did you decide if an MBA was worth the investment? First, I started with a cost-benefit analysis of my current efforts and future potential. I then took the present value of possible salaries and acquisition offers, net of the business school expense. I arrived at the incontrovertible conclusion that an MBA was what I needed to achieve my overly ambitious goals. (Seriously, I did that; I love numbers.)
What other MBA programs did you apply to? I also applied to Berkeley and Emory. (Berkeley’s Haas seemed to have an entrepreneurial focus akin to Scheller’s. Emory’s Goizueta is a top school with an unbeatable location. Scheller gave me the best of both worlds.)
How did you determine your fit at various schools? I started my search by determining which of the top schools put entrepreneurship as a forefront, as opposed to an afterthought. I then narrowed those down based on location. My wife wasn’t willing to move just anywhere and being without her for two years was not an option. I personally visited the campuses that made the cut. I looked for diversity in the student body, and forward thinking in the course selections. Finally, I tuned into my gut feeling. If I wanted to hang around the campus longer or continue conversations, then those schools went in the ‘yes’ pile.
What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? My defining moment was finally completing an Ironman triathlon. “Fall 3 times; Stand up 4” was the Facebook message that I posted in my triathlete group before Ironman Florida 2016. On three prior attempts, I tried and failed to complete the 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike, and 26.2-mile run. I simply wasn’t fast enough. When I started training for the Ironman, I could hardly swim, bike, or run. My “swim” was a sad loop of thrashing and floating; my “bike” was limited to a stationary spin class; and, my “run” was nothing of the sort. As a 5’4 almost 300-pound woman, running was not something I planned to, wanted to, or could do. But I set out to do the impossible and had the crazy notion that if I tried hard enough I could actually succeed. As a kid from the south side of Chicago wanting to go to college; as a black woman wanting to be an actuary; as a gay woman wanting to marry her love, I’ve had that crazy idea before. I have two mottos in life: “Fail Better,” and “Never, Never, Never Give Up.” As long as progress is made, a failure counts as a success tool. With the right tools, anything is possible. On my Ironman journey, I’ve had many successes to blunt the failures. I switched to a plant-based diet, dropped 100 pounds, swam in oceans, biked across states, ran for charities, and inspired so many people I’ve lost count. In November 2016, I finished Ironman Florida. I crossed the finish line and stepped into an elite group of achievers who practice doing the impossible. I know now that the sky is the beginning; I no longer believe in limits.
What do you plan to do after you graduate? After my MBA, I plan to accept a position as a product manager with a company that has a strong entrepreneurial culture. This firm can be either a venture-backed start-up or a Fortune 500 with a burgeoning division. My goal during this period is to learn and develop best practices in bringing products to market and in managing talent. Since a product manager’s duties in an established company closely resemble those of the founder of a new business, this path would be instrumental in succeeding in my long-term goals.
Where do you see yourself in five years? After contributing to my post-MBA company, I plan to return to my entrepreneurial endeavors and grow them by applying the best practices that I’ve mastered. My current venture, a mobile escape room with a focus on team building, is based out of Atlanta. However, we’ve received requests from businesses throughout the country, from as far as Vermont and Oregon. In five years, I plan to be able to meet that demand, and more.
Allison Rowell
Georgia Institute of Technology’s Scheller College of Business
“Dynamic-and-empathetic-RN-turned-M.D./MBA-student, passionate about improving health care delivery systems and health equity.”
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Fun Fact About Yourself: I have a fascination with roller coasters and zip lines even though have a severe fear of heights. One of my bucket list goals is to ride the world’s top-10 tallest and fastest roller coasters. Despite my acrophobia, I’ve also done the longest Superman zip line in Latin America (one mile). I felt like I was like Supergirl, flying high above the canopy of the forest. It was one of the most incredible feelings I’ve ever experienced — but I’m still afraid of heights!
Undergraduate School and Major: Georgia Tech, Management; Mercer University, Nursing
Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Morehouse School of Medicine, Fourth-year Medical Student; Grady Health System, Emergency Department RN
Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: I worked as a Travel RN in California. As a contract RN, you are compensated extremely well in addition to having all of your living and travel expenses paid. However, this means that you are typically walking into a pretty rough situation if a hospital requires agency nurses to fulfill staffing needs or you may be working under strike conditions. Having the ability to walk into any hospital, with a bare minimum orientation, and be able to function independently under my scope of practice at that stage of my nursing career was a huge accomplishment. This experience gave me the confidence to finally pursue my dream of going to medical school.
What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? Cohesive. Even though we all have unique experiences and backgrounds, I was amazed at how fast we came together during orientation and formed such a tight-knit community. I believe the small class size and collaborative culture of Scheller plays a big role in the strong sense of community we share.
Aside from your classmates, what was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? The new collaboration/partnership between Scheller and Morehouse School of Medicine was the critical factor that led me to choose Scheller.
What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? MBA Ambassador and Operations Management Club.
What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? Health care delivery systems are becoming more complex, and healthcare markets are shifting towards value-based care. Therefore, institutions recognize the advantages of placing clinicians in leadership roles. As a clinician, I will be able to apply my understanding of medicine in the context of cost-effective, value-based healthcare delivery systems. My MD/MBA training will prepare me to pivot into this type of role after gaining experience as a practicing physician.
How did you decide if an MBA was worth the investment? Although there are several MBA degree pathways you can explore once you begin residency and become a practicing physician, I decided to pursue the MD/MBA pathway. As an MD/MBA student at Scheller, I can complete a full-time MBA program in one year instead of two. As a medical student, I am used to the grind of being in class and studying, so I wanted to take advantage of this momentum. Also, the out-of-pocket costs of pursuing an MBA after residency would be much higher, and I would have to do it while working and juggling a variety of responsibilities. As an MD/MBA student, there are fellowship and scholarship opportunities that will significantly help with the cost. Finally, I will graduate medical school with two degrees and a valuable skill set in today’s value-based healthcare system, which will make me a unique residency applicant.
What other MBA programs did you apply to? I only applied to the dual degree MD/MBA program at Scheller because I wanted to take full advantage of the newly created partnership between Scheller and Morehouse School of Medicine.
How did you determine your fit at various schools? In addition to the partnership with MD/MBA Morehouse School of Medicine, Scheller’s culture was a huge factor I used to determine if it was the right fit. During the application process, I attended two classes and communicated with several MBA students. Although I have an undergraduate degree in Management from Scheller (2001), it was vital for me to experience how learning occurs in today’s business classroom since it is very different experience from medical and nursing school. Surprisingly, I walked away with so much more.
During my class visits, I already felt like I was already a part of the Scheller family. I even had the opportunity to actively participate during class. Scheller’s collaborative and supportive culture was evident during my visits and interactions with the MBA Ambassadors. The Scheller culture reminds me of the culture we embrace at Morehouse School of Medicine, which made me even more confident in my choice in pursuing my MBA at Scheller.
What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? My defining moment was when I decided to pursue my life-long goal of becoming a physician. My path into medicine has not been an easy one. I ended up taking the scenic route, facing numerous life and personal challenges along the way. After having a major medical setback while in my post-bacc, pre-med program, my dreams of becoming a physician came to a screeching halt. My medical bills piled up, my savings dwindled, and I eventually lost everything. A strong family support system is the only reason I was able to survive my health and financial crisis. My experiences made me realize, more than ever, that I wanted to help other people who are facing similar situations but may not have a strong support system in place. I made a vow to provide compassionate and empathetic care to anyone in need when I became a healthcare practitioner, despite financial or personal circumstances.
My health gradually improved to the point that I could work and continue my pre-med education. However, it would take several years of misdiagnoses, ER visits, and hospital admissions before I received the correct diagnosis and began to regain my health and rebuild my life. In the meantime, my medical school plans were still on hold due to my health, but I wanted to maintain a strong connection to the medical community, so I decided to become an RN. Working at Grady Hospital in one of the busiest, Level 1 trauma center emergency departments in the country (and a challenging step-down unit) honed my ability to think quickly and critically during emergencies; helped me quickly adapt to unfamiliar situations; required me to learn new skills on the fly; and taught me how to remain calm in high-stress situations.
Experiencing what it’s like to be the “patient” and becoming a nurse were two of the best things that could have happened to me before starting medical school. As a nurse, I gained clinical knowledge, skills, and confidence. More importantly, I had the opportunity to provide a meaningful service to my patients by giving them high-quality, compassionate care that they may not have otherwise received. Having walked a mile in their shoes and being in a position to serve and care for the underserved population is the highest honor and privilege.
What do you plan to do after you graduate? In 2019, I will complete the MBA program at Scheller and return to the M.D. program at Morehouse School of Medicine to complete my final year of medical school. In 2020, I will begin my medical residency training in psychiatry.
Where do you see yourself in five years? In five years, I will be halfway through my medical residency.
SaVona Smith
Georgia Institute of Technology’s Scheller College of Business
“Motivational speaker and consumer-behavior junky looking to be your company’s up-and-coming CMO.”
Hometown: Shallotte, NC
Fun Fact About Yourself: From ages 3-16, I clogged (a type of folk dance) competitively across the United States, winning more than 20 dance titles.
Undergraduate School and Major: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Journalism and Mass Communication
Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Mattress Firm, Area Sales Manager
Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: I had the honor to present a BEDtalk (Mattress Firm’s version of a TEDtalk) on diversity at Mattress Firm’s annual leadership convention. My colleague and I were the first area managers to be selected to deliver a “Talk.” Feel free to check it out here.
What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? When it comes to describing my classmates, the first thing that comes to mind is “the next generation of business leaders.” We are by far one of the most diverse and eclectic classes that Scheller has seen and we continuously challenge each other to think outside our natural unconscious bias. They are tenacious, analytical, and eager to learn and that energy is infectious. In the few weeks I’ve been here I have been able to make what I consider to be lifelong connections.
Aside from your classmates, what was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? As a member of the Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT) MBA prep program, I have to admit, I had no idea about Scheller’s MBA programs. However, after our weekend seminar, I was beyond impressed. Scheller’s location at the “intersection of business and technology” seems like one of those snazzy catch phrases you see on a school’s website. But, when you visit the campus, you realize that Scheller embraces that value proposition and so much more. Its location in the midst of Tech Square, involvement with the Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC), and the Georgia Centers for Advanced Telecommunications Technology develop your understanding and provide access to technology businesses outside of the classroom. You have access to more than 17 non-profits and incubators with diverse backgrounds. The best part is you don’t have to have a technology background to be successful at Georgia Tech, they teach you all you need to know!
What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? I’m looking most forward to my international practicum experience. Having been domestic for the entirety of my career has limited my international business acumen. I am ecstatic about the opportunity to not only work with international companies on current business concerns but also for the overall experience and exposure. In order to be a well-versed business professional in an ever-changing consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry, it is important to understand diverse markets and cultures for successful global-brand projects.
What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? One of my most eye-opening professional experiences was at my first business review meeting. During my presentation on area performance, I realized that the majority of my successful insights were based on qualitative as opposed to quantitative information. This realization crystallized the fact that my role has sharpened my understanding of consumer behavior concepts but provides limited exposure to business analytics. As a result of attending this and subsequent business review meetings, the need to strengthen my skills in the area of quantitative analysis has become increasingly apparent to me. After careful consideration, I have determined that the best and most efficient way to gain the skills necessary to accomplish both my short and long-term goals is through obtaining a Scheller MBA.
How did you decide if an MBA was worth the investment? My innate answer to this question was that furthering your knowledge in an area of interest is always worth the investment. However, the financially conscious side of me conducted a cost-benefit analysis that determined that an MBA would not only shift my income trajectory but also allow me to career shift back to my consumer-oriented passion. I knew that my long-term goal was to become a CMO of a top CPG company, so I also studied their career paths and their roles post-MBA were what really got them there.
What other MBA programs did you apply to? UNC-Chapel Hill, Duke University, and North Carolina State University.
How did you determine your fit at various schools? Thankfully, as a member of MLT MBA Prep, we were assigned a “School Research Workbook” that helps us prioritize our target MBA programs. The factors we addressed were incoming class size, geographic region, academic fit, teaching method, academic strength in my specific area of interest, and career placement. In order to research the cultures of these programs, I signed up for campus visits and made connections that allowed me to conduct interviews with current or recent students.
What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? Not sure that there has been a “defining moment” in my life but growing up as a child in an underprivileged family yet surrounded by many friends of privilege has impacted how I navigate the world. As a student with an exceptional academic record, I was exposed to peers who saw someone with my ethnic background as the exception rather than the rule. I was held as the “gold standard” for my race by my teachers and my friends of privilege. At the time, I did not understand how the impact of my experience was changing how I saw myself, my family and opportunities that were afforded to me and not others who shared a similar background. I now understand that not seeing reflections of myself in my teachers, textbooks, and media, communicated that interests of others who did not look like me was more important. From my experiences, I have developed a resiliency that allows me to navigate a landscape that unfortunately, is not very different from the one in which I grew up. My confidence, accomplishments, commitment and focus today allows me to support others in their growth as I advocate for equity, diversity and a presence in our society that has for too long been dominated by a limited few.
What do you plan to do after you graduate? Upon completion of my MBA, one of my short-term goals is to pivot from a role in retail sales to a brand manager position in the CPG industry. In this role, my goals are to gain exposure and understanding of the various facets of marketing such as pricing, positioning, and overall marketing strategy.
Where do you see yourself in five years? In five years I see myself as a successful brand manager who has been promoted to marketing director of market research for my company. I plan to continuously improve my skills and knowledge in the field to be at the forefront of company decisions.
Lindsey Waters
Georgia Institute of Technology’s Scheller College of Business
“A spunky, curious, hard-working millennial who is eager to learn and experience new things.”
Hometown: Belmont, NC
Fun Fact About Yourself: I applied to Harvard on the dare of a stranger the night before the deadline… and got in!
Undergraduate School and Major: Harvard University, English
Most Recent Employer and Job Title: The Coca-Cola Company, Manager, Brand Analytics
Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Advising some of the world’s most-loved brands on consumer needs, preferences, and motivations.
What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? Collaborative. Scheller students are genuinely altruistic and willing to work together on anything – school assignments, case competitions, interview preparation, networking skills, and more. The culture of collaboration – of succeeding together – is contagious and genuinely improves the MBA experience for everyone. Everyone here has an incredibly diverse skillset and perspective, and my classmates have been genuinely enthusiastic to share and grow together, both personally and professionally.
Aside from your classmates, what was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? Scheller’s unique emphasis on the practical aspects of the MBA degree sold me. Rather than debating cases in a purely theoretical/hypothetical classroom situation, Scheller students are encouraged to work on real-life projects and business problems through our Practicum classes. Scheller’s practicum classes range from international experiences to pro-bono consulting, to sustainability to strategy, giving students a wide range of options to pursue their interests. Scheller’s strong relationships with the business community (from startups to Fortune 500 companies) enable students to dive deep into the inner workings of the challenges that face businesses every day. In turn, this allows students to leave the program as better leaders and contributors.
What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? I’m very excited to be a first-year leader in the Strategy and Innovation Club at Scheller. “Strategy” and “innovation” are often ubiquitous terms in business, and students often base their passion and career choices on pursuing one of those areas – but with only a vague idea of what they mean. Through the club, I hope to provide students with practical examples (through company visits, company presentations/discussions, case working sessions, etc.) of what those terms mean to different businesses and how they can shape their careers to reflect their specific interests in those areas. By gaining both a broad and deep understanding of these two areas, I believe students (myself included) are best prepared for any challenge a business may confront.
What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? Thus far in my career, I have only learned what is “right” by what is or was done in a given organization. I believe there is power in knowledge and in knowing the full story. I chose to pursue an MBA to fill in the gaps of what I know and what I don’t know I don’t know. Now, as I go forth into the world as an MBA, I will be better equipped as a leader to approach problems holistically and with the added confidence of education and more experience.
How did you decide if an MBA was worth the investment? Ultimately, I was very skeptical about going back to school. I already had a well-paying job at a top company, and I wasn’t sure if the time away from the workforce (opportunity cost) and the monetary cost of an MBA would be worth the investment. That’s why I originally intended to pursue the Evening MBA option to have the “best of both worlds.” Ultimately, I decided that if I was going to devote the time and energy to pursuing a degree, I wanted to be “all-in.” In turning my attention to a full-time program, I decided that it would be worth it only if I took the time to genuinely explore what motivates me as a person, where I want to be in 5-10 years, and how I want to make an impact on the world. During these two years, I hope to gain a better understanding of how to be a leader and a greater confidence in my own direction. If I achieve those two things (and get a great job, of course), then it would have been worth the investment.
What other MBA programs did you apply to? None – I was a non-traditional applicant. I originally intended to complete the Evening MBA program while working full-time, then decided to enter the Full-time program instead.
How did you determine your fit at various schools? Slightly nontraditional, curriculum, cost/benefit, and time away from work were the primary factors for consideration.
What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? A defining moment for me occurred during my senior year of high school when I was applying to colleges. I was a finalist for a scholarship and a former graduate of my high school (who had graduated about 10 years earlier, no relation prior to this instance) reached out to ask if I wanted to review my application and prepare for the scholarship interviews. During our meeting, he asked me why I was limiting myself to in-state schools. He then asked, “If you could study anywhere, where would you go?” I replied “Harvard, of course,” and he then dared me to apply. His rationale was that you can only achieve what you try for – that I should push myself out of my comfort zone and “go big or go home.” This was the first time someone had challenged me to think differently about my potential and strive for more than what my current situation or standards were, and it has become a dominating force in my life since then. Now, every time I set a benchmark or a goal to achieve, I think to myself “What would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail?” and chase that dream.
What do you plan to do after you graduate? I plan to join a consumer products or technology firm that is leading innovation in the consumer and digital space. I hope to be in either a brand management or product marketing role.
Where do you see yourself in five years? In five years, I hope to have established myself as a leader and top contributor in a global firm. I hope to have formed genuine and meaningful relationships with my team and peers and to have helped others achieve incredible business results. I hope to have started a family and be a strong advocate and example for women and mothers in the workplace.
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