Rabia Usmani

Ohio State University, Fisher College of Business

“People-person, driven by creativity and out-of-the-box thinking with a passion for making a difference.”

Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio

Fun Fact About Yourself: I am a citizen of the United States, Canada, and Pakistan, however, was born in the United Kingdom.

Undergraduate School and Major: University of Cincinnati, Marketing with Minor in International Business

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Fifth Third Bank, Global Financial Institutions Analyst

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: In June 2015, I was appointed an Officer at Fifth Third Bank, where I had been employed for seven years at the time. An officer title allows you to sign documents on behalf of the bank, which is evident of the responsibility the bank entrusts in you.

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? I believe the drive that I have seen in each of my MBA classmates is their best quality. Coming from various career and cultural backgrounds, I see a similar drive in each classmate to achieve their goals. Whether an advancement in their current field or pursuing a new industry, complacency is not an option for them and the drive to conquer any obstacles is strong.

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 chose to attend Ohio State’s Fisher College of Business for my MBA due to its smaller class size, and opportunities offered by being a part of a large nationally-renowned university. With a class of around one hundred students, I knew I would have the opportunity to know and learn from them closely, which also establishing great relationships with professors and my career counselor.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? I am most excited about the Global Applied Projects (GAP) program during which you and a team of your classmates travel abroad to complete a real consultation project for a firm. This opportunity teaches the importance of culture in business practices and the successful implementation of real-world solutions.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? I pursued my MBA to pivot my career from international banking into marketing, with a focus on brand management for a consumer product goods company.

How did you decide if an MBA was worth the investment? I evaluated the MBA program by reviewing statistics related to career advancements, average salary increases, and opportunities for those changing industries. I also spoke with alumni who had a similar career path as my own before and after their MBA to ask about their successes and failures throughout the program and if they believed the MBA program to have been impactful.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? University of Michigan and Duke University

How did you determine your fit at various schools? When determining the schools I wanted to apply to, the placement rates were extremely important. Leaving my previous role at Fifth Third Bank, I wanted to attend a school with strong career counseling and opportunities for internships and post-graduate employment. I also spoke with current students and alumni to ask about their involvement in student organizations and the competitive spirit of the school. It was important for me to attend a school where classmates were encouraging of one another’s successes. Another determinant for me was the school’s ranking since some companies base their hiring decisions on the rank of the MBA program.

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? My defining moment was when I received a rejection from a company after a second interview for a marketing analyst position. I had applied for several positions in marketing but was having trouble with pivoting my careers towards my passion for consumer goods. I was informed by the recruiter that I needed to enhance my Microsoft Excel skills, which I had previously believed to be proficient. The constructive feedback led me to realize that not only can I expand my knowledge of Excel, but also in other areas that can allow me to be a true asset in a role and industry. The rejection from the position gave me the push I needed to submit my application to Ohio State’s Fisher College of Business in December of 2017, in pursuit of knowledge, skills and leadership experience that I needed to pivot industries and achieve my career goals.

What do you plan to do after you graduate? I plan to pursue a career in brand management and join a CPG company as an assistant brand manager.

Where do you see yourself in five years? In five years, I see myself as a brand manager of a global consumer brand, leading a successful team and traveling to various countries for business needs. My goal is to speak to consumers through a brand, invoking emotions and encouraging positive conversations.