Gloria Isabel Gutierrez Ramon

The University of Texas at Austin, McCombs School of Business

“Passionate individual who loves to learn new things, help others, and hopes to make the world a better place.”

Hometown: Del Rio, Texas/ Saltillo, Coahuila

Fun Fact About Yourself: I am a semi-adventurous individual. I love hiking, being active, and Orange Theory Fitness, but you probably will not find me backcountry camping. I am on a current mission to visit all the Texas State Parks.

Undergraduate School and Major: Bachelor of Science in Economics and Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from Southern Methodist University

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Senior Sales Operations Analyst at Trinity Industries

What makes Austin such a great place to earn an MBA? Not only is Austin one of the fastest-growing cities with a great job market, but it also has a unique and welcoming culture, vibrant restaurants and nightlife, and outdoor activities. All those factors make Austin an ideal place to thrive professionally, academically, and personally.

Aside from your classmates and location, what was the key part of Texas McCombs’ MBA programming that led you to choose this business school, and why was it so important to you? Although there are multiple reasons why I chose to come to Texas McCombs, one of them was the freedom to take electives from various disciplines. At McCombs, we do not need to select a concentration. This will allow me to take classes from different business areas and learn enough to be dangerous in a variety of topics. In the future, I will be able to understand the different business units and make more informed business decisions. I know some schools have a concentration requirement, and not having one was very important to me. I want to ensure I become a well-rounded individual who understands the different components of a business. I know this will allow me to be a better business leader.

What course, club, or activity excites you the most at Texas McCombs?  As someone seeking to refine my skills but also give back to the community, I will be applying to two fellowship programs: Operations Fellows and Board Fellows. If accepted to Operations Fellows, I know I will gain invaluable real-world experience through its Operations Practicum, a consulting project with a company, and the Operations Fellows class and site visits. I am also excited to apply to Board Fellows, where, if accepted, not only will I get to continue deepening my skills, but I will also be able to give back to the Austin community by sitting on a local nonprofit board while completing a project with them.

What has been your first impression of the McCombs MBA students and alumni you’ve met so far. Tell us your best McCombs story so far. Another big reason why I decided to come to McCombs was the people. I remember people telling me to find my fit during the application process. I would find it bizarre when people said that to me. However, once I visited McCombs and talked to current students, I realized what everyone meant. You must find a place to grow, thrive, and be yourself. I am happy to say that place was McCombs for me. I saw it through the application process, especially as I would talk to alumni and current students. Everyone always had valuable tips and was always willing to share their experience. I am now seeing it while in class. The admissions team does a fantastic job at selecting a class that all complement each other but who are all also genuine people. In our short time here, I have seen how first-year and second-year students and staff help each other succeed in class, recruiting, and overall life.

My favorite McCombs story was Preview Weekend. I say so because it gave me a proper preview of McCombs. I was able to meet some other students whom I now consider friends. I also learned about clubs which I now hope to join. I got to experience tidbits of my next two years.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My biggest career accomplishment was to be one of the first inside sales manager and market strategists at TrinityRail, a railcar equipment, and services provider. By being one the first of both, I was able to shape the position’s development, processes, and reach. As the inside sales manager for Mexican accounts and the Mexico market strategists, I am proud that I got to help expand its presence in Mexico, where I grew up. I was happy to combine aspects of my personal life with my professional life.

What is one thing you have recently read, watched, or listened to that you would highly recommend to prospective MBAs? Why? I always start my day listening to podcasts, including Up First and The Best One Yet. They help me start my day with the most notable news and be informed about what is happening worldwide. The Best One Yet has helped me be informed of notable aspects happening in the market.  A book that I would recommend reading is Naked Statistics, which we are currently reading in our statics class. It is an easy read and can get you comfortable with topics you will learn in class.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Texas McCombs’ MBA program? I know this is cliche but be yourself. Of course, complete all the requirements but do not lose your personal touch. I would also say to make sure you visit campus and talk to students and alumni. Although you should be focused on being a competitive applicant, you must also ensure it is the place for you.