Meet Warrington’s MBA Class of 2017
Members of Warrington’s Class of 2017
For most MBAs, business school was a time of transformation. Some entered as scientists, engineers, and military officers – only to emerge as brand managers, finance officers, and entrepreneurs. Others fretted over finance courses and public speaking – and then won banking case competitions. And that’s the whole point of business school. It is a time for students to play with new ideas, stretch their limits, and discover their voice and purpose.
And this transformative element is the driving force at the University of Florida’s Warrington College of Business. At Warrington, this commitment to transformation runs far deeper than helping students change careers. It starts with an experience geared towards developing versatile, inventive, and polished graduates who possess a team mentality and a global outlook. To do this, Warrington relies on a personalized approach where students enjoy the resources of a large university and the support and camaraderie inherent to a small cohort.
TRANSFORMATION AT THE HEART OF THE WARRINGTON MBA
Lexie Cegelski
“The brand promise of UF MBA is Transformation Guaranteed,” writes Lexie Cegelski, Warrington’s 2016 class President and soon-to-be member of Anheuser Busch In-Bev’s procurement team. “It sounds bold, but I have seen it myself as a student – with the size of our program you can’t disappear in the crowd. UF MBA provides an incredible, top-tier level experience – from academics and case competitions, to student involvement and career development – that requires students to step up to a challenge where they will learn, grow, and transform.”
And the past year has already been life-changing for many first years. Kate O’Hara spent her career in the background as an analyst in the CIA. At Warrington, she stepped forward and won the “Best Presenter” award at the SEC MBA Case Competition. Brad deBorde, an engineer by trade, adjusted how he approached issues thanks to the “widened perspective” of his classmates’ diverse experiences. And Jason Stuber, a practicing attorney, learned to better tell his story to land his dream summer internship with KPMG.
“Coming from a non-traditional background,” Stuber tells Poets&Quants, “I was not always certain how my skills translated to the positions I was seeking. Through a combination of coursework, career services, and networking events here at UF, I have developed my story around my strengths and my interview and networking skills have improved dramatically.”
DIVERSE CLASS EARNING INTERNSHIPS FROM TOP BRANDS
From biotech managers to submarine officers, the 2017 Class brings an array of perspectives to Hough Hall. And this diversity is one of the class’ hallmarks, says Alex Sevilla, Assistant Dean and Director of UF MBA Programs. “The professional diversity of this class makes it one of the most unique in my 13 years leading this program. We’ve always been able to attract first-rate talent from the finance, marketing and operations fields, but the infusion of passionate professionals from engineering, medicine, media, consulting, non-profit, and the startup scene—as well as the U.S. military—creates a vibrant atmosphere that is exciting to be around.”
And the class is already gaining notoriety outside Gainesville, Sevilla adds. “It is also exciting to watch as these students have secured internships all over the country with companies like Coca-Cola, Anheuser Busch InBev, Pfizer, Delta, and Johnson & Johnson. We’re very proud of the transformational nature of the UF MBA program but are still amazed each year with the speed at which those transformations take place.”
Overall, the class includes 31 students from a pool of 366 applications. The class includes 10 women, with another 10 representing U.S. minorities and another three hailing from overseas. Academically, they bring an average GMAT of 681 to Warrington, with a median of 690 (and a range between 580-740). The class also averaged a 3.4 GPA as undergrads, with the class coming from a near equal mix of undergraduate business, math and science, engineering, and humanities. Professionally, they boast four years of work experience. What’s more, they come from all sectors, including financial services (17%), consumer goods (13%), government (13%), education (9%), and pharmaceuticals (9%).
Statistically, the school’s trajectory is going up. Notably, the 2015 Class posted a 95.7% placement rate within three months of graduation – among the highest percentages in the nation. Not to mention, UF MBA graduates averaged $109,000 to start – up $14,000 from the previous year – a testament to both the school’s reputation and its pervasive global network, which numbers 9,000 MBAs and over 400,000 “Gator Nation” alumni worldwide.
University of Florida’s Hough Hall
SMALL CLASS SIZES AND INTENSIVE SUPPORT DIFFERENTIATE WARRINGTON MBA PROGRAM
So what is Warrington doing right? For one, the school deliberately maintains small class sizes, to ensure students receive intensive personal attention. Here, students are expected to heavily contribute in a highly experiential curriculum. They also take electives early on, giving them an advantage in both interviewing for internships and performing successfully over the summer. And this package was hard to beat for the Class of 2017.
“My cohort has 31 students in it,” deBorde explains, “which means that over these last few months I’ve been able to not only make lasting relationships with my classmates, but also benefit from an unparalleled amount of 1:1 time with our career coaches, professors, and academic advisors.” And this mixture creates an environment conducive to learning and teamwork, adds Stuber. “[It] lends itself to a congenial atmosphere where students are actively engaged in helping each other succeed.”
The “personalized experience” also drew Laura Gonzalez, a scientist-turned-marketer-turned entrepreneur, to Warrington. “Due to the small class size of the MBA program, I have been able to get to know all my classmates well, participate in almost all the activities, and receive personalized feedback not only from the professors but from the MBA staff, while adding to my personal and professional development.” O’Hara echoes Gonzalez’s sentiments. “I have been able to spend more time learning from my professors and have had more opportunities to be engaged or take on leadership roles.”
Warrington’s intimate atmosphere also smoothes the path for nontraditional students looking to switch careers, O’Hara adds. “Coming from a somewhat unusual background, it was really important to me to find a program where I felt comfortable. I focused on programs that were smaller, because I felt that a tailored program and close connections with my classmates and administrators were what I needed to guide my development. UF MBA has met, and in many cases exceeded, all of those expectations.”
Student consultation at Warrington’s Graduate Business Career Services
HIGHLY-RANKED CAREER SERVICES PRODUCES RESULTS
In the 2016 Economist MBA ranking, Warrington’s Graduate Business Career Services placed 5th-best globally. And that’s not by accident. Staffed by former corporate recruiters and executive search consultants, the center applies a “train like you fight” model. Here, students engage in live simulations and exercises that reflect both the unforgiving nature of job hunting and interviewing along with being tailored to students’ unique individual needs.
“Career services is really top notch,” O’Hara notes, “and our counselors are available whenever needed to talk through career options, interview techniques, and strategies to best negotiate offers.” In fact, Stuber credits the center with helping him land his internship. “I have had a direct line to our career counselors and the help I have received in finding my internship has been nothing short of amazing.”
However, the career center isn’t the only team that’s heavily involved in preparing students for interviews and internships. Gauri Tambe, a former pharmaceutical executive, also commends the faculty for their emphasis on career coaching, mentoring and counseling. “UF is unbeatable in that aspect.”
ADVICE FROM THE 2017 CLASS: GET INVOLVED AND CHALLENGE YOURSELF
As the 2017 Class reflects on their first year, many are already describing their experience as “transformative.” They talk of gaining confidence, learning how to communicate persuasively, and channeling their experiences and skills into new passions. As they become the standard bearers and mentors, they offer several pieces of advice to the students following in their footsteps.
deBorde exhorts his successors to seize the day, pointing out that this is the last time when they will have so many opportunities to choose from – professionally, academically, and socially. “You can join interest clubs as a member or serve as a leader and contributor,” he shares. “You can volunteer and give back to the community. You can attend free concerts, music and food festivals. You can participate in intramural sports….the list goes on. In my opinion, not ingraining yourself in your school’s culture is the biggest mistake a graduate student can make.”
Gonzalez and Rodney Ndum, a software engineer from Palm Coast, encourages first years to be both humble and curious. “Do not be afraid to ask for help,” Gonzalez emphasizes. “We are all here to help each other through the academic and job-seeking process. Obtaining advice from people who have been in our shoes before is always better than trying to figure it out ourselves.” “Be a sponge,” Ndum adds. “Soak up everything you can because, you are going to be surrounded by amazing people who can teach you a lot.”
And O’Hara challenges students not to take the path of least resistance. “Focus on growth and push yourself. While it may be easy to stick to those classes or activities that play to your strengths, you will get the most out of school if you do things that are different and challenging.”
To read profiles of first year Warrington students – along with their advice on tackling GMAT, applications, and interviews – click on the student links below.
Laura Gonzalez / Cali, Columbia
Jason Stuber / Goose Creek, SC
Brad deBorde
University of Florida, Warrington College of Business
Hometown: Orlando, FL
Undergraduate School and Major:
University of Florida, Industrial & Systems Engineering
Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation:
PepsiCo: Supply Chain / Operations Future Leader Intern
Philips Healthcare: Supply Chain Resource Intern
Where will you be interning this summer?
This summer I’ll be working in St. Louis with Anheuser Busch InBev.
What led you to choose the University of Florida for your full-time MBA?
When I decided to pursue an MBA, I first focused on universities that had strong technical pedigrees. While some MBA candidates use the degree to change career paths, I wanted a program and curriculum that could dovetail with my engineering background and amplify my awareness of the business world. As an engineer, I wanted a program that had proven success in educating and placing other engineers. The University of Florida fit the bill exactly.
Thanks to its close partnership with the College of Engineering, at UF I had an avenue right out of school to balance my technical skill set with business acumen. This unique relationship made the opportunity possible for me. However, the combination of UF’s other offerings really sealed the deal. In particular, UF’s Career Services team, full of experienced corporate recruiters from a wide variety of industries, is hyper focused on finding roles that both suit each individual candidate’s strengths and allow for growth in new ways. The size and selectivity of UF’s class was also appealing. My cohort has 31 students in it, which means that over these last few months I’ve been able to not only make lasting relationships with my classmates, but also benefit from an unparalleled amount of 1:1 time with our career coaches, professors, and academic advisors. All in all, the ROI presented at UF quickly outweighed other programs.
What has been your biggest accomplishment in the program so far?
Expanding my network has been hugely powerful for me this year. Our full-time program has just over 100 students in it, so each one of us brings a new perspective, insight, and story to the table. Another accomplishment I’m proud to show is that I’ve adapted my learning style to be more global and flexible. After four years of strictly engineering classes, I became accustomed to a certain format of lecture, to a certain type of question being asked, to a certain way of tackling problems. At UF, I’m now in classes with former teachers, military, accountants, entrepreneurs, doctors, lawyers, etc., who all view lectures and problems in a profoundly different way than I do. As such, I’ve been exposed to and have adjusted the way that I approach complicated problems thanks to the widened perspective that my classmates can offer. Finally, my involvement within the program (and namely within our MBA Association) has allowed me to continue to hone my leadership style and capabilities through practical experience.
What advice do you have for applicants in applying to a school, taking the GMAT, writing essays, doing admission interviews, and getting recommenders to write letters on your behalf?
First, if you’ve decided to pursue an MBA, get started on your applications ASAP. Give yourself the homework of studying for the GMAT and hold yourself accountable to that schedule. Once you’ve outlined a GMAT training regimen, scheduling the test cements in your mind the weight of preparing and will discourage you from pushing back any self-prescribed deadlines.
With that out of the way, I tried to view my application as a written biography. I wanted to present a diversified profile of who I am as an individual, student, and leader. To this effect, each touchpoint, or chapter, within this book should offer something new to the reader. Your resume speaks to your work history and qualifications; your transcript shows your educational credibility; and finally the recommendation letters and essay serve to illustrate parts of your character that cannot be discerned through bullet points and grades. Some schools will stipulate that you need X letters from an academic person, Y letters from someone who knows you well, Z from former employers, etc. Ultimately, each letter should yield a new angle in your ‘story’ so that the admissions team can discover a full and accurate concept of who you are.
What advice do you for students to help them thrive their first year of business school?
GET INVOLVED. For some professionals adjusting to the pace of college life again, the idea of student organizations, college athletics, or volunteering might be somewhat alien. But I cannot stress enough the importance of engaging within your program. In all likelihood, this is your last time to attend a university, which means this is the last time wherein you have such an unbelievable amount of opportunities available at every turn. You can join interest clubs as a member or serve as a leader and contributor. You can volunteer and give back to the community. You can attend free concerts, music and food festivals. You can participate in intramural sports….the list goes on. In my opinion, not ingraining yourself in your school’s culture is the biggest mistake a graduate student can make. Remember, you can only get an MBA once, so by investing yourself into your school’s rich culture and investing time in your classmates, you can make your cohort small, create strong bonds, and learn more than just business skills.
What would you ultimately like to achieve before you graduate?
In short, I want to glean as much as I possibly can from the program. My goals before graduation are to form many friendships with my peers, to strengthen my weaknesses, and build upon my inherent strengths. To get there, I aim every day to diversify my experiences so that I can handle anything that is thrown at me from a business standpoint. In these two years, I aim to capitalize on my goals to balance out my engineering foundation with more business-related knowledge base and I feel confident that UF MBA is the vehicle to propel me there!
Laura Gonzalez
University of Florida, Warrington College of Business
Hometown: Cali, Colombia – West Palm Beach, FL
Undergraduate School and Major: Palm Beach State College, Biotechnology and Healthcare Business Management.
Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation: Associate Scientist – Marketing Coordinator, Cytonics Corporation. President/Founder, Petite Perfect Fit, LLC.
Where will you be interning this summer? Johnson & Johnson Consumer Healthcare Group – Brand Management
What led you to choose the University of Florida for your full-time MBA?
I chose the University of Florida because of the personalized experience, strong program reputation, and career placement. Due to the small class size of the MBA program, I have been able to get to know all my classmates well, participate in almost all the activities, and receive personalized feedback not only from the professors but from the MBA staff, while adding to my personal and professional development. Also, Graduate Business Career Services for the MBA program has an exceptional group of people willing to personally work with you to help you reach your post-MBA career goals.
What has been your biggest accomplishment in the program so far?
Definitely obtaining an internship with Johnson & Johnson, which was one of my goals since I started my MBA. During the first semester of the program I worked very hard with Graduate Business Career Services to find positions that matched my skills and career goals. GBCS supported me through mock interviews, resume preparation, career planning, workshops, networking events, and individual career advisement. This support allowed me to create a network, and learn how to better communicate my experiences and skills during the interview process, which led me to finally obtain an internship with one of the top healthcare companies.
What advice do you have for applicants in applying to a school, taking the GMAT, writing essays, doing admission interviews, and getting recommenders to write letters on your behalf?
Start the process early. Do not wait until the last minute to take the GMAT and submit applications. Sometimes, some other documents are needed and it is always best to be ahead of the game. Studying for the GMAT was the most intimidating part of the application process for me, but just remember that the GMAT does not define who you are – and sometimes your essays and experience could count more than the GMAT itself. However, I recommend setting a date to take the test and practice as much as possible. In my experience, taking practice tests taught me how to better manage my time and to understand the framing of the GMAT questions.
UF MBA is looking for a cultural fit with candidates. When writing the essays, show them who you are through your experiences and how you would be able to contribute to the program. Highlight any experiences of visiting campus, or speaking to someone from the program; both show high interest in being a part of the UFMBA family. For recommendation letters, I suggest asking people who know you well and could tell more stories about interacting with you on a personal and professional level. Lastly, be prepared to answer some behavioral questions during the interview process. Be yourself and be ready to tell your story while highlighting the most important experiences that have made you who you are today.
What advice do you for students to help them thrive their first year of business school?
Take advantage of all the activities and networking events that you can attend. All the activities are created for you as a student to add to your professional development and personal growth. You will notice how much you have changed after the first year. Make friends at school and learn from their experiences. Also, do not be afraid to ask for help. We are all here to help each other through the academic and job-seeking process. Obtaining advice from people who have been in our shoes before is always better than trying to figure it out ourselves.
What would you ultimately like to achieve before you graduate?
When I was applying to get my MBA, I thought the process was going to be solely focused on professional growth. After one year of being in the program, I can honestly say that although I have grown professionally, the majority of my development has been personal. Before I graduate I want to be able to create long lasting friendships, grow my network, become a better public speaker, and help other students entering the program achieve their post-MBA goals, just like the program has helped me achieve mine.
Rodney Ndum
University of Florida, Warrington College of Business
Hometown: Palm Coast, Florida
Undergraduate School and Major: UF College of Engineering: Computer Science Engineering
Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation: UF McKnight Brain Institute: Lab Specialist/ Software Engineer
Where will you be interning this summer? Delta Airline Company: Atlanta, GA
What led you to choose the University of Florida for your full-time MBA?
I had the opportunity to go to a UF MBA engineering partnership information session during my first year as an engineering student. I was very intrigued by the value proposition, affordable education with a top tier, hands-on GBCS. In my last year as an engineering student a UF MBA case competition team presented to my class; this experience rekindled my passion for the UF program. After researching other MBA programs; I could find no other that offered the same value for the price, so I decided to make this program the stage for my professional transformation.
What has been your biggest accomplishment in the program so far?
My biggest accomplishment has been my internship offer at Delta for summer 2016. I was able to lock-in an offer at one of my A companies early in the school year and this is an amazing feeling. While the destination (internship offer) is very important, I considered the journey (lessons learned) to be just as important if not more. I have learned the value of preparation, which has truly been transformative in the way I approach everything.
What advice do you have for applicants in applying to a school, taking the GMAT, writing essays, doing admission interviews, and getting recommenders to write letters on your behalf?
Research each and every school that interests you. Look for job placement in leadership positions and extracurricular opportunities. Focus is the key to achieving a high score on the GMAT. Make sure you have great resources and adequate time to prep. For essays, always remember that it’s about quality not quantity so, “write less but say more.” Select candidates who can skillfully articulate your qualification for a recommendation. Give yourself enough time to prepare for your admission interview. Google questions you might receive and create a STAR story for the most common questions.
What advice do you for students to help them thrive their first year of business school?
I would say, “be a sponge.” Soak up everything you can because, you are going to be surrounded by amazing people who can teach you a lot.
What would you ultimately like to achieve before you graduate?
I would like to improve my soft skills to an exceptional level. It is necessary for a leader to be approachable, caring and knowledgeable and I want to be able to convey this with my soft skills. I would also like to make an impact on my program and provide value to my peers.
Kate O’Hara
University of Florida, Warrington College of Business
Hometown: Tampa, FL
Undergraduate School and Major: University of Pennsylvania, Political Science
Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation: Central Intelligence Agency, Analyst; Office of Naval Intelligence, Analyst
Where will you be interning this summer? The Coca-Cola Company
What led you to choose the University of Florida for your full-time MBA?
Coming from a somewhat unusual background, it was really important to me to find a program where I felt comfortable. I focused on programs that were smaller, because I felt that a tailored program and close connections with my classmates and administrators were what I needed to guide my development. UF MBA has met, and in many cases exceeded, all of those expectations. Career services is really top notch, and our counselors are available whenever needed to talk through career options, interview techniques, and strategies to best negotiate offers. Additionally, by having smaller cohort sizes, I have been able to spend more time learning from my professors and have had more opportunities to be engaged or take on leadership roles.
What has been your biggest accomplishment in the program so far?
Having a background in intelligence, analyzing complex situations and then communicating that analysis to executives has been a consistent theme in my career. I was able to put those skills to the test through the recent Southeastern Conference (SEC) MBA case competition. The case, which focused on marketing and sustainability, challenged me to stretch my business and analytic skills. Additionally, I was not only tasked with presenting a portion of our analysis, but I also played a strong role in defending our recommendation through a question and answer period. All of the effort paid off when I was named one of four “best presenters” out of the 56 individuals at the competition. I look forward to participating in more case competitions next year, challenging myself to further refine my analytic and communication skills.
What advice do you have for applicants in applying to a school, taking the GMAT, writing essays, doing admission interviews, and getting recommenders to write letters on your behalf?
Sifting through the immense number of business programs and options can be daunting. My biggest piece of advice for potential applicants is to take a strategic step back before getting wrapped up in GMAT prep, essay writing, or interviews to really think about your goals and aspirations. Knowing your desired end state will directly influence what type of program you should apply to. Business schools all have different strengths and weaknesses. Knowing yourself and what you want will make the process once you are in school so much smoother.
What advice do you for students to help them thrive their first year of business school?
Focus on growth and push yourself. While it may be easy to stick to those classes or activities that play to your strengths, you will get the most out of school if you do things that are different and challenging. For many of us, this will likely be one of our last opportunities to be fully immersed in an academic environment. Take advantage of that time to explore those things you have always wanted.
What would you ultimately like to achieve before you graduate?
I hope to leave a legacy of empowerment to those MBAs coming after me at the University of Florida. Coming from a fairly unusual background, I was at times apprehensive about what challenges may lie ahead in business school. However, when I started the program I quickly learned that those of us who are “nontraditional” are increasingly common. My classmates are teachers, lawyers, doctors, and veterans, in addition to the more traditional professions. In a competitive and globalized job market, that diversity is an advantage, and I believe that students from all walks of life and backgrounds can benefit from a business education.
Craig Schaefer
University of Florida, Warrington College of Business
Hometown: Fairfax, VA
Undergraduate School and Major: United States Naval Academy – General Engineering
Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation: US Navy- Naval Submarine Officer: Division Officer on the USS Henry M. Jackson, Assistant Professor of Naval Science UF NROTC
Where will you be interning this summer?
As I’m still in the Navy, I will not be able to do an internship. I will be seeking a full-time roll next year.
What led you to choose the University of Florida for your full-time MBA?
The University of Florida has developed an outstanding MBA program that is focused on small cohort sizes that give every student the individual attention needed to succeed. This combined with one of the best returns on investment made coming to this school an easy choice. It doesn’t hurt that it continues to climb the MBA rankings every year.
What has been your biggest accomplishment in the program so far?
I knew learning how to translate my non-traditional military background into a corporate job would be one of the most difficult tasks coming into this program. The skills and knowledge I have developed in class and from the Career Services office has made this daunting task much easier.
What advice do you have for applicants in applying to a school, taking the GMAT, writing essays, doing admission interviews, and getting recommenders to write letters on your behalf?
Taking the GMAT-The GMAT is unfortunately the biggest hurdle in the MBA application process. You must have a high score in order to get into a respectable program. I found the key to my success was forcing myself to study every night and becoming a master of every problem. You can study your way to a much higher grade.
Writing essays – It had been four years since I had written an essay. Starting on my essays early was important so I could go through the multiple revisions that they needed.
Admissions interviews – You can and should prepare for these interviews. Most questions asked can be found on MBA interview websites. Be sure to sit down with another person and go through a mock interview. You may also want to get used to doing interviews through Skype. Learning to smile at your computer camera can be a strange, but very important, part of an online interview.
Recommenders – Make the process of writing a recommendation as easy as possible for your recommender. The easier the process is for them the more willing they will be to help and write a good recommendation.
What advice do you for students to help them thrive their first year of business school?
It is critical to get involved with every event and function that your school is putting together. These events reinforced the critical skills of networking and help you get used to the business culture.
What would you ultimately like to achieve before you graduate?
Before I graduate I would like to master my computer and statistical skills. Every career function is beginning to lean heavily on the ability to use computers and understand the statistics of data. I want to ensure I have these skills before entering the workforce.
Jason Stuber
University of Florida, Warrington College of Business
Hometown: Goose Creek, South Carolina
Undergraduate School and Major:
Clemson University, B.S., Political Science
University of Georgia School of Law, J.D.
Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation:
Royal – Will Law Firms, Associate Attorney
Troutman Sanders eMerge, Discovery Staff Attorney
Where will you be interning this summer? KPMG
What led you to choose the University of Florida for your full-time MBA?
There were a number of reasons that led me to choose the University of Florida. After my experiences with law school and practicing law, I was looking for a smaller program where I would not just be another student, a place where career services was of the utmost importance, and a plethora of opportunities could be seized at a reasonable price. University of Florida met those requirements in spades. From day one, I have had a direct line to our career counselors and the help I have received in finding my internship has been nothing short of amazing. Furthermore, the size of the cohorts and program in general lends itself to a congenial atmosphere where students are actively engaged in helping each other succeed. To top it all off, the scholarship offer was fantastic, ensuring that the opportunity cost of my MBA is markedly lower than other institutions.
What has been your biggest accomplishment in the program so far?
Aside from receiving my internship offer, I would say my biggest accomplishment thus far has been the confidence I have achieved in networking and telling my story. Coming from a non-traditional background, I was not always certain how my skills translated to the positions I was seeking. Through a combination of coursework, career services, and networking events here at UF, I have developed my story around my strengths and my interview and networking skills have improved dramatically.
What advice do you have for applicants in applying to a school, taking the GMAT, writing essays, doing admission interviews, and getting recommenders to write letters on your behalf?
With regards to applying to schools, decide what your priorities are before you apply. Once you have ranked your priorities, do your research to determine if a school meets them: visit the school, talk to students, and sit down with career services. You do not want to spend two years of your life in a place you don’t like, with people you don’t get along with, hurdling toward a career you don’t want.
As far as taking the GMAT, learn the tricks to save time! I love math. While studying for the GMAT, I found myself taking the long way around more often than not and my practice test scores suffered as a result. I devoted some time to learning the “shortcuts” and my math score drastically improved.
For your essays and interviews, be honest and tell your story. If you’re not honest, you may find yourself in a school that doesn’t actually fit your priorities. Tell the story of who you are; how your experiences have led you down this path; and where you intend to go. If you nail down that story, you’ll have a much better chance of finding the school that fits. The same concept goes with finding recommenders: find those who have played a part in your story’s development and understand your reasons for getting your MBA. It helps if they have also earned an MBA; they will be able to tell how your skills translate.
What advice do you for students to help them thrive their first year of business school?
Make the most of your time while you’re in business school; it goes by very quickly. Get involved at your school: join clubs, partake in social events, and network. But don’t forget to take time for yourself now and then, too. There is always something going on while in business school and burnout is a real thing. Strike a balance.
What would you ultimately like to achieve before you graduate?
Coming from a legal background, I am looking forward to solidifying my transition from legal strategy to business strategy. I want to maximize my time spent here at UF, learning everything I can and making valuable connections with my peers.
Gauri Tambe
University of Florida, Warrington College of Business
Hometown: Pune, India
Undergraduate School and Major: University of Pune (India), Bachelor of Pharmacy
Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation:
Employer: Indoco Remedies Ltd (Mumbai, India)
Job Titles: Assistant Manager: International Business, Executive – International Business, Jr. Executive- International Business, Management Trainee – International Business
Where will you be interning this summer?
Pfizer, New York
What led you to choose the University of Florida for your full-time MBA?
I had done a lot of research on business schools and planned my application to UF based on where I wanted to see myself post MBA. From a professional development standpoint, UF felt like the right fit for me since the very beginning. Apart from the rankings and a well-designed curriculum, I think the biggest pull factor was the level of personalized attention from the faculty in career coaching, mentoring and counseling. UF is unbeatable in that aspect. Moreover, I wanted to be part of a program where I could build connections and form lasting relationships with my peers, who are the biggest resource contributing to the overall B-School experience. UF provides an opportunity to build on that experience owing to its small cohort size and the innumerable avenues to build valuable connections throughout the year. We are all from very diverse backgrounds, with varying levels of work experience and yet stand as excellent team.
What has been your biggest accomplishment in the program so far?
From an academic perspective, I feel lot more confident of my knowledge in finance, my ability to navigate huge amounts of data and my presentation skills. As an international candidate, it’s obviously a tough battle to land an internship or job in the United States. Overcoming those initial barriers has been one of my accomplishments in the program, which in turn speaks a lot about the contribution from UF to my development as a professional in the past year.
What advice do you have for applicants in applying to a school, taking the GMAT, writing essays, doing admission interviews, and getting recommenders to write letters on your behalf?
Application Doing a good amount of research on your target business schools is very important. I’d say the business school application is very much analogous to an actual job application. As you cannot walk in to an interview without knowing about the company and the position, it’s just the same with business school. It’s important to define your priorities and expectations from the school before your application. Speaking with current students and alumni is helpful in getting feedback about the school’s academic environment and its placement success in your target industry.
GMAT/Admissions: While the GMAT is one of the major decision factors in your admission there’s a lot more to prove in your candidacy as an applicant. Start planning at least a year in advance and invest sufficient amount of time and thought in your application essays. A business school wants to see your ability to prove success in the program as a future business leader. The GMAT is obviously mathematical indicator of your intellect, but your essays/interviews are a unique opportunity for you to impress upon and connect with the business school committee. It is also important to illustrate the value addition you provide to the program. Speaking about your accomplishments and discussing your application with people who know you (family/friends) are great head starts for you to get to know yourself better and elaborate on your experiences. It’s important to be honest in your application.
Recommendation Letters. Ask for recommendations from people within your professional circle who know you well, discuss the importance of your application and give them enough time to write you the letter so that you are not rushing them close to the deadline.
What advice do you for students to help them thrive their first year of business school?
The first year is overwhelming and business school programs are, in fact, designed to make you feel overwhelmed in order to hone your ability to handle diverse situations. It’s really interesting because you are competing with people who have lot more experience than you in business or none at all, and essentially you’re playing at a level field. Apart from academics, the first year gives you a head start into the competition and is a solid platform to learn ways to build on skills and distinguish yourself. It’s extremely important to believe in yourself and stay focused on your personal and professional goals from the very beginning. There’s a lot that you can learn from your fellow classmates through their perspectives on business cases or group discussions. Enjoy the experience of meeting new people from different backgrounds, build connections and stay involved.
What would you ultimately like to achieve before you graduate?
Apart from building on domain knowledge, I want to challenge myself and improve my leadership skills over the next year. I aim to get involved in activities that will enable me to improve myself in that domain.
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