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 Madison Prien, who is graduating with a concentration in Operations and Supply Chain Management. She has a second degree in Applied Languages and Intercultural Studies with a concentration in Spanish and a certificate in Business Analytics.
Where are you from?
Canton, Georgia
Where did you attend high school?
Cherokee High School
What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business?
From my time at Scheller, I have learned never to sell myself or my experience short. Even at a school primarily known for engineering, your degree from Scheller is just as important and influential. Any professional or leadership experience you receive during college puts you in an excellent position to excel. No matter how small or impactful you may think your involvements are, I promise you that you are so much more than your transcript.
What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field?
The best advice I have been given during college is to try to fail as gracefully as possible. If things don't go your way, try again or pivot from the failure. There are so many concentrations that Scheller offers, and you can explore what you might want to do in the future in a safe environment of professors and career advisors who can help you find your way.
The last piece of advice is to do things entirely out of your wheelhouse (especially studying abroad) to get as much experience as possible. Don't be afraid to extend your time as an undergrad to get more work experience or additional degrees, certificates, or minors. Take the time to find what makes you tick!
As a business student in the heart of Tech Square, how do you think Scheller College embodies the intersection of business and technology?
Scheller embodies the intersection of business and technology because it offers many degree programs that help combine soft and hard skills to allow our students to effectively communicate the skills they have learned with others easily. The hands-on experience I have received with Excel, SQL, R, SAP, and Business Process Model and Notation are all fundamental tools I have used in internships and will continue to use in my full-time job. It is amazing to know that the classwork you have done in your undergraduate studies will continue to be applicable and highly marketable in the job market for years to come.
What was your favorite business course?
My favorite business course is a business elective called Servant Leadership, Values and Systems (MGT 4193), taught by Dr. Bob Thomas. This discussion and project-based class is an excellent introduction to Robert Greenleaf's concept of servant leadership and how you can empower others to grow their well-being. It combines empathy within business to learn ways to uplift and empower yourself as a future manager or employee.
One of our major assignments was to watch the 1940's movie "It's a Wonderful Life" and discuss how George Bailey positively impacted his community even during his struggles, which reflects how I interact with others. This course is a great introduction to how to conduct your work with empathy, ethics, and gratefulness in all that you do.
Who is your favorite professor?
My favorite professor at Scheller is Dr. Ravi Subramanian, who teaches Business Decisions for Sustainability and Shared Value (MGT 3770). Ravi is an engaging lecturer who emphasizes corporate social responsibility (CSR) through the lens of the entire class. He works with his students to ensure that their interests are woven into the course and that the work done in the class is meaningful. I deeply appreciated the experts Ravi brought into the class to teach us what corporate to start-up environments were doing to ensure that business can be conducted ethically and continue to generate synergies for the Earth and its people. I cannot recommend him enough!
What has surprised you most about majoring in business at Scheller College?
When I came to Scheller, I was most surprised at the commitment from everyone in the program. The professors are not intimidating and are super helpful, and the undergraduate program office is amazing at giving great career advice. Everyone works in tandem to ensure the undergrad student body is well-prepared and empowered to succeed.
What were some of your extracurricular activities, community work and leadership roles during college?
I served as a Greek chapter president of my sorority, Kappa Alpha Theta, in 2020. In addition, I was a part of Scheller Business Ambassadors (SBA) and the Society of Women in Business, where I served as a recruitment chair for SBA for two years. I also studied abroad in Cuenca, Ecuador, at La Universidad de Cuenca during the summer of 2019 (and saw the Galápagos Islands)!
Which academic, extracurricular, or personal achievement are you most proud of?
I am proud to have served as my sorority's chapter president in 2020. It was challenging to stay connected, as everyone was starting to do remote work and school. I quickly learned how to prioritize my time to help keep myself focused on the positives. Through the experience, I learned how to deal with difficult people and situations, which enhanced my classroom experience.
Where have you interned during your college career?
I interned at Cox Communications as a supply chain process analyst and in a part-time sales co-op at Jack Henry & Associates.
Where will you be working after graduation?
I will start as an analyst at Deloitte Consulting in their Atlanta office next summer!
Looking back over your experience, what is the one thing you'd do differently in business school and why?
I wish I had taken more time to relax at Tech; after all, Rome wasn't built in a day. It has taken me far too long to realize that it is okay to take a breather and prioritize my time, interest, family, and friends over perfection in everything I do, class or workwise.
Which classmate do you most admire?
I admire SK Pike and Amelia Abernathy for being leading women in supply chain management at Scheller and for being my study buddies in my supply chain classes. Out of the alumni I know, I most admire one of my best friends, Aylin Alptekin, who graduated last fall. She has never failed to make me smile and continues to show me what hard work and dedication can do. She is the embodiment of pushing through strife and difficulty with grace and positivity and knowing when to pivot.
Who would you most want to thank for your success?
I thank my family for being my backbone, especially my mom and dad. They have always supported my interests and continue to encourage me to do my best. I also want to thank my brothers, Ben, Zach, and Gray, who push me to my limits every day, making me a more tolerant and braver person. I also want to thank my aunts, Julia and Melonie, for being my cheerleaders while I have been in college and listening to my rants. Finally, I want to thank my roommates Emily, Hannah, and Aylin for putting up with my shenanigans!
I want to thank Dean Womack, Jessica Sherrington, and all supply chain management professors for their dedication to Scheller. I would not be who I am today without Dean Womack's enthusiasm for the undergrad program (all of the program office, actually), Jessica's help during registration, and the support of Tim Martin for getting me interested in supply chain management. A big shout-out to the School of Modern Languages at the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts, especially Dr. Adèle Douglin, for helping me grow my confidence in Spanish throughout the past four years!
What are the top two items on your professional bucket list?
Travel to Latin America for business and get my MBA!
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I can do all of the splits!