Meet Warrington’s MBA Class of 2017

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.