Picture yourself at graduation. Describe how you spent your time as a Texas McCombs MBA to achieve your personal and professional goals.
As I wave to a member of my study group and excitedly fidget with my graduation cap, I cannot help but reflect on my time at McCombs and how it shaped me. Though it will be hard to say goodbye to my friends, professors, and mentors, I smile knowing that the connections I made during my incredible two years in Austin will last a lifetime.
Feeling confident and prepared, soon I will move on to the next chapter of my life in XXX’s Management Associate Program, an 18-month rotational leadership development program where I will be exposed to critical company functions such as marketing, product development, operations, and technology. Though I chose to continue my professional journey at XXX because of the company’s commitment to financial inclusion and position at the nexus of finance and technology, I know I could have found success at number of global firms such as ABC, DDD, or ZZZ —all of which have close ties to McCombs recruiting.
The curriculum at McCombs provided a bridge between my undergraduate training and the knowledge I needed to transition to a more strategic role. Through classes such as Leading Innovation and Change, Customer Insights, and Managing Innovation in a Global Company, I developed critical skills that will serve me day one at XXX and in my professional journey to follow. My professors were essential in my preparation because they were accessible and invested in my success.
Beyond the classroom, I think about the friends I made and the growth we shared. Through McCombs Graduate Women in Business, I developed lifelong friendships with phenomenal women—a network I am incredibly thankful to have continuing in an industry where females are typically underrepresented. Additionally, I was able to connect with like-minded peers and local business leaders while learning about corporate responsibility through Net Impact’s speaker series.
I am so glad that I joined the McCombs Ambassador Committee and was able to share my love for UT with prospective students. There was always excitement in my voice when talking about MBA+. As a career switcher, this experiential learning opportunity was invaluable as it provided me confidence and credibility during recruitment. I also took pleasure in sharing my experience as a Board Fellow as it paired my passion for giving back to the community with my interest in strategic planning.
Looking to the future, I know my Texas MBA and time at XXX will serve me well as a senior leader of a firm that prides itself on financial innovation such as XXX, YYY, or ZZZ or as a founder of a firm aimed at solving previously overlooked business challenges. I want to develop elegant, consumer-oriented solutions to key business problems because I believe I can make a difference and know I will be professionally satisfied doing so. Though today is graduation day, between the friendships I fostered and the school’s far-reaching alumni network, I am confident that McCombs will forever be a part of my personal and professional journey.