Meet The Texas McCombs MBA Class Of 2020

Scott Porter

University of Texas, McCombs School of Business

“I’m still figuring out who I am.  No rush.  There’s plenty of life ahead.”

Hometown: United States. (I always feel left out with this metric; Dad was in the Army, and I grew up across the US… but if you need a city: Denver, CO)

Fun Fact About Yourself: In my spare time, I enjoy making video games with a cadre of creatives. I have eight small games under my belt so far.

Undergraduate School and Major: University of Colorado at Boulder, Computer Science

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Synthesis Analytics, Co-founder

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: I led a healthcare campaign in Arlington, TX that doubled the annual treatment of debilitating spinal fractures, alleviating severe pain for those previously unable to find care.

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why?  Going places. My classmates so far have been exceptionally experienced with large goals. I am still getting to know them, but if the generous and successful McCombs alumni are any indication, I am excited to see where my class ends up.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? I felt like I would have the latitude to explore technologies and specific industries meaningful to me and be empowered to expand McCombs’ program along those verticals.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school?  Venture Fellows. I am excited to experience the venture capital side of the start-up world, working with real companies and developing as a product manager.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? I was successful and had become comfortable in my pre-MBA role of (mostly) sales and was ready to build the skillsets and network I needed to start working on my own dreams.

How did you decide if an MBA was worth the investment? Ultimately, it came down to valuing an MBA network above all else. For me, it is not about lost salary or tuition. It is about being a part of a high achieving circle of professionals 30 years from now.

What other MBA programs did you apply to?  Kellogg and Columbia.

How did you determine your fit at various schools? I actively sought meetings with other (non-MBA) university departments relevant to my goals and asked their experience or willingness to work with the MBA program. If I experienced a warm conversation as an applicant, I knew I could be successful as a full-time student.

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? Joining the Marine Corps.  Commissioning as a Marine Officer at 22 was the culmination of my most difficult journey up to that point, with an even tougher road still ahead. Four years and two Afghan deployments later, I developed as a servant leader and strategic planner, conditioned never to mistake effort with results.

What do you plan to do after you graduate? Product Management with a technology firm.

Where do you see yourself in five years? Leading my own company, developing and bringing to market innovative technology.  Starting a family. Releasing a video game, small in scope, commercially.

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