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 Fall 2024 Commencement, we sat down with a few students to learn about their experiences and the wisdom they've gained in the process.
Meet Shruthi Shetty, who is graduating from the Executive MBA program, with a Management of Technology specialization.
Hometown:
Johns Creek, Georgia
Describe yourself in 15 words or less:
Confident technology leader balancing strategic responsibilities, MBA pursuits, motherhood, and unwavering commitment to growth. Break that glass ceiling!
Tell me about the person who most influenced your decision to pursue an MBA?
My experiences influenced my decision to pursue an MBA.
What was your favorite business course?
My capstone course, Management of Technology, along with our strategy course, provided invaluable insights into analyzing all aspects of a go-to-market strategy. It’s an essential course for any product manager, and it equipped me with the strategic tools to confidently bring high-impact products to market.
What advice would you give to an incoming Executive MBA student?
Lead your team's deliverables with excellence and actively engage in class. Remember, it’s often a classmate who can help elevate you to your next career goal.
What activities were you involved with on or off campus, and did your business education impact those activities in any way?
I took part in the Female Founder’s program and Create-X which sharpened my ability to define product strategies under constraints and create rapid experimentation while utilizing market insights. Overall, it’s a hands-on environment that builds both strategic and tactical skills, making you a stronger, more adaptable product leader.
What was your favorite MBA event or tradition at Scheller?
My favorite tradition was participating in Oxford style debate in Professor Frank Rothermel’s class.
What was your career journey in the Executive MBA program?
No changes yet, but I did get a $25,000+ raise.
What are the top two items on your professional bucket list?
Working for a high growth tech company and driving go-to-market strategy for an ambitious product at a high-growth tech company.
What was a moment when you had to practice persistence and/or resilience while in the MBA program?
The first semester of returning to school was challenging, especially as a senior director at Equifax with strategic responsibilities. Balancing work commitments, catching up on assignments and exams, and managing my responsibilities at home required a great deal of resilience.
What is the biggest lesson you gained from your Scheller MBA?
Scheller gives you a broader business understanding by covering all aspects of management of technology.
What will you be doing to celebrate your graduation?
I am going on an international trip with family.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I have the confidence to entertain and engage others, whether it’s cracking a joke in front of an entire class or roasting someone with good humor.