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 Rebecca McCord, who is graduating from the Evening MBA program.
Hometown:
Acworth, Georgia
Describe yourself in 15 words or less:
Soon-to-be Double Jacket who loves watching movies, reading Stephen King, and shoes!
Tell me about the person who most influenced your decision to pursue an MBA?
My dad was the person who inspired me to get my MBA. My dad graduated with a degree in chemistry in pursuit of one day becoming a doctor but instead found his way into the business world and loved it. He went back to school to get his MBA while working. I grew up listening to him talk of budgets, capital projects, and all the challenges that came along with his work, sparking my interest in business. Like my dad, I pursued science for my undergrad and graduated from Georgia Tech as a chemical engineer. But I always knew I wanted to go back and get my MBA like he did.
What was your favorite business course?
My favorite class in the program was Emerging Technologies. I work at an R&I site for a chemical company, so I am constantly exposed to new technologies and processes. This class was a great blend of technical concepts I’m used to seeing in my everyday job and the perspective of the business world.
What advice would you give to an incoming Evening MBA student?
Simply put: You can’t do everything. My transition into the program was rough as I tried to continue doing all the activities I was currently involved in while also adding to this whole new world of evening school. I learned that I can’t say yes to everything. But you know what? It’s ok. Learn to give yourself some grace for letting some things go while developing yourself in this new, big way.
What activities were you involved with on or off campus, and did your business education impact those activities in any way?
I enjoy playing pickleball and play with my company’s rec league. Oddly enough, my business education came into play when playing doubles. Communication and teamwork are important to playing a solid game. They ensure that you aren’t getting in each other’s way, and it helps build trust with your teammates. This dynamic reminded me of concepts learned in the class Leading People and Organizations on how to effectively communicate with your team and/or people you are new to working with.
What was your favorite MBA event or tradition at Scheller?
The Scheller Soiree! Prom in grad school is so much better than prom in high school (in my opinion). I went to the event every year I was in the program and thoroughly enjoyed it each time.
What was your career journey in the Evening MBA program?
I think my journey is a little different from the typical MBA student's. My day-to-day job is a pilot plant engineer for a chemical company, so my job is very technical focused. I am not exposed to business on the day-to-day nor do I have the undergrad foundation like many students in the program. But I wanted this degree, because I believe that it will open many doors for future possibilities down the line in my career. While in the program, I have also been trying to gain more exposure to business at my company and am exploring potential positions that combine both the technical and business worlds.
What are the top two items on your professional bucket list?
- Become a well-respected manager.
- Make six figures.
What was a moment when you had to practice persistence and/or resilience while in the MBA program?
I felt I had to practice the most persistence when taking the Business Communications class. Like most people, I strongly dislike public speaking, and this was a class that made me do it every week. I just knew the class would feel eternal, but I powered through and gained confidence by the end of the course.
What is the biggest lesson you gained from your Scheller MBA?
Perspective. I have gained a whole new outlook on my workplace and how my team operates from lessons and experiences I’ve had in the MBA program. As an engineer, it is so easy to get caught up in the scientific technicalities. But there is a whole other realm of thinking that is just as important, and I had the opportunity to see a slice of that with the program.
What will you be doing to celebrate your graduation?
It is a tradition to have a big meal with all the family at the OK Café right after the graduation ceremony. We did this when I graduated in 2018 and when my brother graduated in 2022. So of course, we must. Next year, I’d like to take a celebratory trip. Maybe I’ll rent a car and drive down the Pacific Coast Highway?
What is a fun fact about yourself?
Right after I started the program, I started taking drum lessons. I’ve always wanted to play. Time got the best of me, and I had to put the drums on pause, but I plan to start back after I graduate!