Meet The UT-Austin’s McCombs Class of 2017

Unlike many MBA programs, McCombs evaluates how their students intend to spend their two years early on. According to Mabley, over half of the class is looking to do something new. “55% self-identifies as career switchers, looking to do something in a different function and/or industry than their pre-MBA position. For the rest of the class, 31% are career enhancers looking to advance in their current field, 9% plan to run their own business and 5% are career explorers.” Overall, Mabley adds, management consulting is the most popular primary concentration listed by 2017 class members, with energy finance, general management, entrepreneurship, and brand and product management rounding out the top five.

So what will be different for the 2017 Class? For starters, they are part of a transition, witnessing the construction of McCombs’ new home – The Robert B. Rowling Hall – that opens in February 2017. At the same time, they will be the first class to go through McCombs’ year-long “What’s Your Story?” project. “The Story Project is a place for students to share their unique stories with their classmates,” Mabley says. “It has reminded us that diversity is about more than numbers…it is about celebrating the uniqueness of every individual and making the most of what each student brings to the class.”

AUSTIN LOCATION AND FLEXIBLE CURRICULUM CONTINUE TO BE MAJOR ATTRACTIONS

And this class intends to make the most of their time as well. The class includes a Navy SEAL, engineers, entrepreneurs, consultants, and even a Presidential appointee. They hail from regions as varied as South Korea, Brazil, The Bahamas, Palo Alto, California and Ann Arbor, Michigan. And they each come to McCombs for their own unique reasons.

Tenaj Ferguson, an entrepreneur who earned a scholarship to McCombs after winning the school’s Venture Lab Scholarship Competition, was attracted to Austin itself. “Austin is a great city in which to study, network, and grow as a business professional. It’s also a great place to live as an everyday person wanting some semblance of a cool lifestyle. I loved that I could get great warm weather and a “live” city feel with lots of cool places to eat and places to visit outside of my business classes.”

And McCombs’ entrepreneurial mindset, a natural outgrowth of its Austin base, further sold Ferguson on the school. “McCombs’ MBA program walks the talk when it comes to truly supporting and equipping entrepreneurs at every stage. I love that entrepreneurship was less of a buzzword here. Instead, it is an incredibly inspiring and hands-on city and program to explore and grow this interest. Their pre-MBA Texas Venture Lab pitch competition really sent the message of their commitment to attracting and supporting innovators and entrepreneurs. Their practical experience opportunities and curriculum, as well as their legacy of entrepreneurs, further demonstrated their position as an entrepreneurship powerhouse.”

As part of one of the largest public universities in America, McCombs also has the flexibility to offer dual degrees and pull resources through its integration with other programs. And that was a big advantage to some members of the 2017 Class. “I am a self-driven learner,” writes Isabel Shelton, who most recently worked in the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce after a stint in the U.S. Department of Education. “So the flexibility of the coursework really appealed to me. The ability to pull from the vast resources of a large university to design my own learning was the perfect complement to the strong general management curriculum.”

And Margó Hufstetler González, a Georgetown grad whose desire to make a better world led her to a two year term with the Carana Corporation, chose McCombs because of shared values. “At the end of the day, my decision come down to the intangible: Where I fit…I’m passionate about social impact and found in McCombs a community that shares and actively cultivates this passion through its curriculum, student organizations, events, and even a career conference dedicated to “business for good.” I could not be happier with my choice!”

Of course, the choice is the easy part. It’s what students do with their decision that defines the value of their experience. For John Fox, an engineer looking to transition to the energy industry, the next two years will be about clearing a path. “I want to confidently answer the question: “What do you want to do?” I have an answer to the question but grad school is a time to polish the answer. I know a lot of my peers, and I would argue most young professionals don’t know exactly what function or industry they want to end up in. We either stay in jobs for convenience, for the money, or because we just don’t know what else is out there. My time in the MBA program is a means to explore my skillset, grow my network, and begin down my ideal career path.”

Like many other MBA students, Melanie Hendrick, a Booz Allen Hamilton alum, comes to graduate school to test her limits. “I want to become skilled in at least 10 things that frighten me professionally. Designing supply chains, developing financial models, and perfecting the case interview are topping that list today. Fortunately for me, the collegial atmosphere at McCombs makes it easy to take on new challenges without an intense fear of failing.”

Others have set their own goals, both big and small. Preeta Maitra, a chemical engineer who worked for Whirlpool, plans to pay it forward by help McCombs recruit its best MBA class yet. At the same time, Ferguson plans to join a business incubator and “enjoy an East Austin BBQ.” No matter what they hope to achieve, the biggest lessons and joys still await the Class of 2017. “I am most excited to graduate with an incredible network of classmates and future friends and colleagues,” Shelton says. “The caliber and kindness of my classmates makes me incredibly optimistic for the two years ahead.”

To read profiles of incoming McCombs students – along with their advice on tackling GMAT, applications, and interviews – click on the student links below.

Tenaj Ferguson / Nassau, Bahamas

John Fox / Saint Louis, MO

Melanie Hendrick / North Kingstown, RI

Margó Hufstetler González / San Juan, Puerto Rico< Preeta Maitra / Ann Arbor, MI

Ruda Thales Lins P. Meireles / Sao Paulo, Brazil

Bryant Ramirez / San Francisco, CA

Michael Sarraille / Palo Alto, CA

Isabel Shelton / Austin, TX

Ahn Taehoon / Seoul, South Korea