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. Before graduating, we sat down with a few students to find out what they've learned and what advice they want to give to other students.
Meet Jamaal Hankey, who is graduating with a concentration in Information Technology Management.
Where are you from?
Essex Junction, Vermont
Where did you attend high school?
Essex High School
What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business?
My biggest takeaway from studying business is the importance of building your network. In business and in life, the people around us and the connections we create are key to our success.
What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field?
Develop your communication skills. Whether written, verbal, or visual, the ability to convey your thoughts and ideas clearly and effectively will serve you well.
As a business student in the heart of Tech Square, how do you think Scheller College embodies the intersection of business and technology?
For me particularly, as I pursued an Information Technology Management concentration, a sizeable portion of my courses, whether it be database management or business programming, heavily focused on using technology. Regardless of your concentration or career aspirations, the ability to use technology is paramount in the modern-day business world. Professors at Scheller make a concerted effort to incorporate the use of technology into their curriculums. You will leave the college with more technical skills than you came in with.
What was your favorite business course?
My favorite business course was MGT 3118: Cross-Cultural Management with Professor Dong Liu. We learned about the differences in how businesses operate in different parts of the world and the impact culture plays. I found the course to be incredibly fascinating. In our globalized economy, the material was practical as well.
Who is your favorite professor?
My favorite professor is Professor Robert Thomas. I took his course, MGT 4193: Servant Leadership, Values, and Systems. Dr. Thomas is a deeply caring and humble individual, and his course expanded my concept of what it truly means to be a leader.
What has surprised you most about majoring in business at Scheller College?
Business is a lot more than just money and finance. I feel this is how the field is portrayed in many popular cultures, but there is SO MUCH more that goes into running a successful business. From developing a successful strategy to building an effective culture to investing in and developing good leaders, there are a plethora of components that are ten percent necessary but may not be noticed by an untrained eye.
What were some of your extracurricular activities, community work and leadership roles during college?
I was involved with the Impact Living Learning Community (LLC) during my first year. I highly recommend joining an LLC to any first-year student who wants an almost surefire way to make friends and find community. I've also been involved with Consult Your Community, Millionaires in Training, and the Meditation Club. I served for two semesters as a GT 1000 team leader, and the opportunity to mentor first-year students was one of the most fulfilling experiences of my college career.
Which academic, extracurricular, or personal achievement are you most proud of?
I made it through college during the Covid-19 pandemic. It was super hard at times, and I had to make adjustments to learn remotely, but we made it!
Where have you interned during your college career?
I was a marketing and product management intern at OnLogic in South Burlington, Vermont, and a spiritual life coordinator intern at Habitat for Humanity International in Atlanta, Georgia. I also had two part-time project management roles: one with The Creative Discourse Group, a diversity, equity, and inclusion consulting firm, and the other with a non-profit organization, Voices for Inclusion in Essex and Westford (VIEW). Both are based in my hometown of Essex.
Looking back over your experience, what is the one thing you'd do differently in business school and why?
I would have networked more! While I did plenty of networking, there are so many cool people at Scheller to get to know and learn from, and I would have spent even more time doing so.
Which classmate do you most admire?
Riley McBride is a homie. We met at FASET (Tech's orientation program) and ended up on the same team for our GT 1000 consulting case. She is driven and down to earth, and it's always a pleasure to run into her on campus.
Who would you most want to thank for your success?
Craig Womack and the undergraduate program office. I feel like this is an answer you would get from almost any Scheller student you asked, but that shows how dedicated those folks are to seeing all the students succeed. Their doors are always open, ready to support and share resources with undergraduates. Craig is a great conversationalist.
What are the top two items on your professional bucket list?
I want to be a full-time life coach and empower others to pursue and realize their dreams, and I want to purchase land and create a retreat center and a youth summer camp where people can destress and connect to nature.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I ran track in high school and hold multiple state records in Vermont.