Meet Maryland Smith’s MBA Class of 2018

sean-gilson-maryland-poetsandquants-classof2018

Sean Gilson

University of Maryland, Robert H. Smith School of Business

Describe yourself in 15 words or less: I am a fun-loving, analytical CPA looking to make a career pivot into Financial Consulting.

Hometown: Frederick, MD

Fun Fact About Yourself:  I love South America. I studied abroad in Brazil during my undergraduate years, which sparked my curiosity for exploring the rich history and distinct cultures throughout the continent. I have since traveled extensively throughout Peru and Colombia. 

 

Undergraduate School and Major: Elon University – Finance & Accounting

Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation:

ABB, Inc. – Senior International Tax Analyst

Discovery Communications, Inc. – Senior Tax Analyst

Clark Construction Group, LLC – Senior Tax Accountant

Aronson LLC – Staff Accountant

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: While working for ABB Inc., a large $40B Swiss-based multi-national corporation, I was tasked with an innovative tax project to help migrate an Excel-based tax provision to a new uniform web-based global tool.  Prior to my arrival, the project had stalled for several months due to the daunting task of allowing a simplified global tax tool to properly calculate and report the tax consequences of the notoriously complex US corporate tax regulations. Excited by the challenge, I jumped in head first.  After several months of ups-and-downs, I was able to successfully implement the tool along with the assistance of an amazing group of co-workers. In the end, we gained recognition from c-Suite executives and reduced department labor costs by nearly 20%.

Looking back on your experience, what advice would you give to future business school applicants?

  1. Get an Early Start – I cannot stress this enough! Planning ahead and setting deadlines for yourself are crucial to putting together your best application possible.
  1. Connect with Current Students – Current students can easily relate to many of the pressing questions that you may have about the application process. They also can be a great resource to get a feel for the school culture. Many schools have student representatives or ambassadors that can be contacted to learn more about the program, so don’t hesitate to reach out.
  1. Find the Right Fit – Do you enjoy smaller or larger class sizes? A large metropolitan city or rural-suburban setting? It is important to ask yourself questions throughout the application process and stay true to yourself about where you want to spend the next two years and what you want to accomplish with an MBA.

What led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA? I chose the Smith MBA program because it felt like home. The smaller program size created an inclusive culture that resonated with me. I also was impressed by the seven different experiential learning courses that were offered via the Smith Experience (an experiential learning component to the program involving partner companies worldwide). As an MBA focused on finance, I was immediately drawn to the Mayer Fund, which allows students to fine-tune their asset management skills while learning to make critical investment decisions in a global marketplace. I knew that all of these aspects combined would best prepare me for a successful road ahead post-graduation. 

Tell us about your dream job or dream employer at this point in your life?  My dream job post-MBA will challenge my analytical nature and provide enough variety so that I can continuously learn.  At this stage in my MBA journey, I am still learning about new opportunities.

What would you like your business school peers to say about you after you graduate from this program?  The most rewarding aspect of an MBA education is learning via a diverse network of peers. Each of my respective classmates carry a unique set of talents that have been crafted throughout their careers. Tapping into their skills over the next two years will allow me to excel in my current coursework. More importantly, it will allow me to grow both professionally and personally for years to come. Keeping that in mind, the greatest complement that I could receive from my b-school peers’ post-graduation would be to hear that I added value to their educational experience by taking in my perspective.

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