Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business students come to learn, explore, and build community. As they move forward in their careers, they take everything they've learned and use it to power innovation in industries and businesses across the globe. In celebration of Spring 2024 Commencement, we sat down with a few students to learn about their experiences and the wisdom they've gained in the process.
Meet Ooha Edupuganti, who is graduating from the Full-time MBA program.
Hometown:
Dunwoody, GA
Undergraduate School and Degree:
Georgia Institute of Technology, Industrial and Systems Engineering with a concentration in Supply Chain
Describe yourself in 15 words or less:
Lifelong learner, dreamer, designer, and explorer leading with empathy and always looking for a good laugh
Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school?
I previously worked as a senior solutions consultant at Deposco, a tech start-up specializing in seamless omnichannel fulfillment supply chain applications.
What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career?
I think that my proudest professional achievement thus far would be during my time at Manhattan Associates. I led a data transfer initiative on my project team that was upgrading the client’s warehouse management software (WMOS) from an older version to the new active version. I led a team that helped me with the trial runs and then presented the KPIs and key takeaways to the VP of the company.
I participated in multiple meetings to discuss what resources and timeline should be followed to standardize this process and roll it out across the company. It was amazing to see how impactful the scope of the research and work that I did was for the company, as well as the reach that it had. I realized that time is one of the most important resources when it comes to workflow optimization.
Why did you choose Scheller?
I chose the Scheller College of Business for several reasons. Having done my undergrad at Georgia Tech, I already knew to expect a stellar quality of education. The collision between tech and business is apparent all-around campus. From the research that the professors do, to the companies that come in for events and recruiting, to the on-going projects and new innovations popping up in Tech Square, the university is miles ahead with their tech additions to the digitalizing modern world. It gives me great pride to work alongside these talented individuals, as well as make my own contributions. There is so much to learn from each other.
In addition, with Atlanta’s booming market, I think that Georgia Tech is the place to be. There are so many companies that have headquarters here or have a major hub. Top of mind come companies like Delta, Coca-Cola, Google, and Microsoft that are just in our backyard. I see executives from these companies on campus frequently for some sort of seminar or meeting related to a work study that they are conducting here. Having visibility and direct exposure with this level of seniority and with our other wonderful alumni at these companies definitely gives us great leverage. We have so many opportunities to participate in practicums in our area of interest and connect with our strong alumni networks for mentorship. I am proud to say that I am a Double Jacket and that has been one of the best decisions that I have ever made.
Community Work and leadership roles at Scheller:
- Co-President, Women in Business: This year, we wanted to try something new with the Women in Business Club. We transitioned it to a One-MBA Club, meaning that it welcomes both full-time and evening MBA students as opposed to limiting membership to just one cohort. With a wider reach comes more responsibility, more planning, and more needs to cater to. I was happy to take on this challenge with my wonderful board to see how we can benefit and empower the women in the Scheller MBA program both professionally and personally. I helped build multiple corporate relationships so that we could host women centric recruiting events and brought in a few guest speakers that spoke about important topics, such as women led businesses and maintaining personal finances. In addition, I helped plan fun socials throughout the year, such as our annual Christmas cookie decorating, Galantines flower bouquet creating, and PGA professionals led golf clinics. Bringing together these talented women to create a safe space where we can encourage, guide, and celebrate each other’s journeys was my main priority.
- Peer Leadership Committee Lead: I helped plan events that brought the full-time MBA students in the first and second years closer as a cohort. My main goal was to make the cohort feel more like a family, fostering friendly relationships and a fun environment. A couple of my personal favorite events that I helped organize include:
- Hobby Nights: Small activity groups hosted by students in the program that are eager to share their special talents or interests with their classmates. We have had people share interests that range from Clay Shooting to the Hot Ones Challenge to Tarot Reading. It is always cool to try something new, especially when taught by our friends in the program!
- Treat Drops: Mental health awareness checks are meant to break students away from their busy day to day routines to come de-stress in our favorite grad commons area to enjoy a seasonal snack and socialize with friends. My favorite part is seeing everyone mob to this common area when it is time for this event. I see people run into friends that they haven’t seen in a few days catch up and exchange words of encouragement for whatever they have going on and it warms my heart.
- VP of Finance, Consulting Club: Having spent a lot of time during the first year in the program recruiting for the summer internship of my dreams, I have deep gratitude for all that the Consulting Club has done to help me prepare. Now being on the board, I hold the responsibility of exposing the world of consulting to the current first-years and helping them be prepared to put their best foot forward during the recruiting process and on the job. Along with my board members, I co-host our club meetings once a month, which detail the timeline on what the members should be focusing on. These topics include proper etiquette for coffee chatting with alumni and other professionals, different consulting companies’ specializations and unique application processes, casing tips and tricks, and much more. We offer support and advice both in group settings and one-on-one to help raise our members' confidence in landing a job at a consulting firm.
- Peer Mentor: Being on PLC, I helped with the mentor/mentee program pairing, where we pair first-year students with second-year students based on a set of criteria. Each semester, the first years get to choose if they want to be paired with a mentor based on their professional goals or personal interests. Based on what they say and personality matches, we pair them with a second year that we think will be a great buddy to help them navigate through their first year in the program. I was paired with two mentees whom I was there for no matter the situation, whether it was school related, work related, or personal. I wanted to be there as a friend for them from the beginning so they can have some comfort while figuring out how to navigate this new world of the program. Coffee dates, walks in the park, and gym buddies were added bonuses.
- Consulting Case Coach: I gave mock case and behavioral interviews to first years aspiring to go into consulting. I practiced a wide range of cases with them so that they got exposure to different industries and frameworks. Following each session, I provided structured feedback indicating their strengths and weaknesses so that we could put together an action plan on how they can improve and track their progress to be interview ready.
- MBA Ambassador and Student Interviewer: I acted as a strong advocate for the Scheller MBA program. I took every chance I had to try and convince everyone I know to be a part of this amazing program. I participated in several recruiting panels and webinars to share my experience in the program and show how I have benefitted from it. I have also participated in Forte panels to encourage more women to apply to the program. I take immense pride in being a Scheller MBA and want to uphold the quality of candidates that we bring in to continue growing our alumni network. I interview prospective students to pick the best and brightest to uphold and further the future of the program.
- Graduate Research Assistant, Georgia Tech Provost Office: I assist with accreditation checks of the University’s stellar faculty.
- Member of Tech Club, Strategy & Innovation Club, Entrepreneurship Club, and Marketing Club: I enjoyed participating in the phenomenal events put on by these clubs, whether it be a social, panel discussion, or a group activity. It is fun to stay involved and learn new skills from my peers while supporting them as well.
Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during your time at Scheller?
I am proudest of my role as co-president of the Women in Business Club. It is a club that means a lot to me personally as I have felt supported by its members through my highs and my lows. I put a lot of effort into making this club be a safe space for all the women in the program and making them feel like they are the sole focus. I want them to have all the resources to build themselves and grow with their peers. We even have a branch of allies that encourage and support us.
I enjoyed planning fun events with my board for these women such as bringing in a female founder of a shoe company to speak about her journey, arranging for a clothing swap to promote sustainable fashion, and arranging for a PGA professionals led golf clinic. I get satisfaction from making these events happen and even more so when the women come up to me after the event saying they gained some sort of value from it. I feel I have fulfilled my role when I can create an impact that will last, whether through teaching a new skill, providing inspiration, or making a new connection.
Who was your favorite MBA professor?
Katie Badura is one of my favorite MBA professors. I took her Leading People and Organizations and Leadership Development classes. I think she does a phenomenal job teaching these topics. These classes present several scenarios, many of which we have all faced at some point during our professional careers. She encourages us to reflect on these instances and discuss in small groups the different ways these situations can be handled.
Through these exercises, I have learned a tremendous amount about my personal leadership style, as well as how to collaborate with people who may have varying styles. As I prepare to enter the professional world again, I think these are lessons and skills that I will keep top of mind especially as I enter more managerial positions. In addition, professor Badura does a great job of getting to know her students and is super welcoming. Her active style and fun lectures keep us engaged and make us more interested in the material.
What was your favorite course as an MBA?
My favorite course during my MBA was International Practicum. I did the Nordics program and worked with Isbjörn, a high-quality, sustainable outdoor children’s clothing brand based out of Sweden. The company is founded and run by two successful women who are also mothers, which is very inspiring.
My project was to help this company with their US market entry strategy. Post pandemic, this was an obstacle that many international companies faced. I loved this class because the entire course revolved around me being a business consultant and trying to help an expanding company with a real problem. This gave me a glimpse into the type of work I wanted to do and increased my interest in the consumer product goods industry.
I really enjoyed the professional and practical implications of this class. My team and I had weekly calls with the CEO of the company to discuss our key objectives, research, and proposed solutions. It is really cool that we actually got to see some of our recommendations be implemented during our time there and the impact they had on the business.
To top everything off, we traveled to Stockholm over our spring break to actually meet the company’s executives and see their product spread. We learned a lot about how business was conducted in the Nordics and were able to draw comparisons. It was a wonderful learning experience that I would recommend to everyone in the program.
What was your favorite MBA event or tradition at Scheller?
Schell-X is one of my favorite MBA traditions. This is an event run by PLC, which is essentially a Ted-X series for Scheller. We have students in the program sign-up to give talks about different topics that are close to them. Some of the topics are funny, some serious, some surprising, and some empowering. You never know what to expect, but end up learning so much in each 10-minute slot. I think it is super fun to learn about people’s hidden talents, interests, and stories that you normally would not hear them talk about.
It really showcases the talent and various personalities that we have in our program. I have heard talks about a student helping build a Swaminarayan Mandir in New Jersey, a student’s experience living among the Macaws in South America, the cultural importance of Madonna, the art of mate and rock climbing, how to maintain a proper skin care routine, and many more exciting topics. Everyone here has such unique experiences to share, so that along with good food, drinks, and company calls for a grand time! It is something that I look forward to each semester.
What is the biggest myth about Scheller?
The biggest myth about Georgia Tech is that we are a school full of engineers. I know it’s funny for me to say that being an engineer myself, but it is true. When I joined the program, I met people from the most diverse backgrounds and I think that is half the beauty of it. There are people that come from the military, pharmacy, law school, wine connoisseurs, and many more traditional and non-traditional professions. This is what adds to the different perspectives and invigorating discussions that we have in our classes. I wish people saw more of this diversity, rather than assuming that the program is purely for people that want to talk technical jargon.
What did you love most about Scheller’s location in the heart of midtown Atlanta?
I have lived in Atlanta for almost 23 years now, and it never gets old. We get to experience all four seasons distinctly throughout the year and have activities to do during each. There are always events going on around the city, whether that be marathons, music festivals, light shows, bar crawls, or famers markets.
Taking a stroll on the beltline is one of my favorite things to do when the weather is nice outside. Recently the Michelin guide also moved to Atlanta; there are so many restaurants to discover here. I enjoy going to Buford Highway with my friends to try the authentic cuisines. Atlanta is also known as the forested city, so for those nature lovers there are several hiking trails and waterfalls to explore just a 30-minute drive away from the city. There is always something to do here for all sorts of interests and hobbies.
In addition, Atlanta has been expanding tremendously over the past few years. The heart of the city is a booming technology hub and is a great place to build one’s network and connect with the next biggest innovators and entrepreneurs. There are so many Fortune 500 companies here with a large presence that cater to the growing job market and give back to the community. There is so much opportunity waiting for our local Atlanta residents.
Where did you intern during the summer of 2023?
I interned at Bain and Company as a summer associate in the Atlanta office.
Where will you be working after graduation?
I will be heading back to Bain and Company as a consultant in the Atlanta office!
Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why?
I think the one thing that I would do differently in my MBA experience would be attending more of the weekly socials. Thursday nights are the programs social days where our social committee plans some sort of outing or activity. They have planned events, such as pottery making, fowling, and mini golf. It is a great way for the class to get together and hang out on our version of a Friday.
I always look forward to what this event is going to be since they are not released until the week of, but sometimes with so much going on I need to take a raincheck. There are always hectic weeks where I just need some me time to relax at home; however, I do wish I pushed past that sometimes and found the energy to go socialize at these events. Time has flown by while in the program, so I need to remind myself to make the most of it while it lasts.
What surprised you the most about business school?
What surprised me the most about business school is that most of the learning is done outside of the classroom. Every event I went to, every person I met, there was something new that I learned. Talking to people that come from different backgrounds really opened my eyes, and I started to view situations from different perspectives. I learned to work together with people who had different styles or preferences. I learned to be ok with being uncomfortable and figuring things out as I go. I think personable skills like these are best learned through experiences than when taught in a classroom. I am so glad that the program has given me a plethora of opportunities to explore and figure out what works best for me. These will all come in handy when navigating the business world.
Which MBA classmate do you most admire?
I really admire my friend, Tony Holubik in my MBA cohort. He serves as our Graduate Business Council president and does a phenomenal job. He is an active member in the program and wears many hats. My favorite part about him is that he is a great listener. He takes feedback really well and does all that he can to help improve the program. I enjoy reading the weekly newsletters he writes to keep us all up to date on the happenings in the program. He does a great job of adding inspirational quotes in there too.
He is definitely the guy many people in the program reach out to if they ever need any advice, which speaks to his trustworthiness and how much the students in the program respect him. Apart from school, he is a trained athlete and shares that passion with his classmates by going to the gym and training with them. He really is a man of the people, and I could not be happier to call him one of my co-workers post-graduation at Bain and Company.
Fun fact about yourself:
I lived in India for three years with my grandparents.
What are the top two items on your professional bucket list?
My current top two items on my professional bucket list would be to work on an international project and to work with a high-end luxury designer goods company. I think both of these interests stemmed from my experience during International Practicum.
As an avid shopper and traveler who enjoys learning about different cultures, I think this overlap would be extremely interesting to me. It will involve the combination of business and human psychology to crack the case. I am optimistic that such opportunities will open for me in my next chapter at Bain and Company! They have great programs in place that will help me choose the right projects to work on based on my interests, which I am super thankful for.