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 Ashleigh Bryan, who is graduating from the Evening MBA program.
Hometown:
Sussex, NJ
Describe yourself in 15 words or less:
Persistent, adaptable, determined, decisive, process oriented, reliable, and fun-loving.
Tell me about the person who most influenced your decision to pursue an MBA?
With a 32-year career as a schoolteacher, my dad instilled a deep appreciation for education in our family. I was certain about pursuing my MBA even before completing my undergraduate degree!
What was your favorite business course and why?
My favorite class was Strategic Brand Management, combining elements from my previous roles along with the expertise of professor Aaaron Hackett’s time at P&G.
What advice would you give to an incoming Evening MBA student?
I would say, run for a GEMS Board position, get involved, and spend as much time getting to know your peers as possible.
What activities were you involved with on or off campus, and did your business education impact those activities in any way?
I was the vice president of marketing for GEMs for the 2022 - 2023 academic year. I was also an Evening MBA ambassador.
What was your favorite MBA event or tradition at Scheller, and why?
Scheller Soiree was my favorite event, and I was on the planning committee last year! It is a fun reason to get dressed up and have a good time.
What was your career journey in the Evening MBA program? Did you pivot, get a promotion, or change jobs?
I now have a new job that was a promotion over my last. At the end of my first semester in the fall of 2021, a recruiter from my current company reached out to me. I started with Cox Communications in Spring of 2022, and I will be staying with Cox after graduation.
What are the top two items on your professional bucket list?
I want to grow our business and receive a promotion.
What was a moment when you had to practice persistence and/or resilience while in the MBA program?
I started a new job in Spring 2022 that required taking on a lot of hours while also working through a difficult class with time consuming projects.
What is the biggest lesson you gained from your Scheller MBA?
I am capable and strong after managing as much as I have had in the last three years.
What will you be doing to celebrate your graduation?
I’ll throw a graduation and 35th birthday party with my friends and classmates!
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I am on a 535-day streak learning Spanish on Duolingo.