As part of our Countdown to Commencement series, we spent some time with a few full-time MBA soon-to-be graduates to learn about their backgrounds, why they chose Scheller College for their MBA program, and what they plan to do with their degrees after May 5.
Meet Elizabeth Schultz. Elizabeth is from Marietta, Georgia, and earned her bachelor’s degree in industrial design from Georgia Tech. She describes herself as a “charismatic Double Jacket relentlessly passionate, optimistic, and determined to change the world!” While earning her MBA she has lived in two states, visited four countries, and traveled to 10 states (adding four to her goal of visiting all 50)! In between Tech degrees, she worked for BallardDesigns as an industrial designer. During the summer of 2016, she interned at Southwest Airlines in Dallas, Texas, and plans to start at ScottMadden as an associate after graduation.Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school?
I am most proud of my time as the Net Impact President. This experience has really shown me that I am capable of leading an organization, of building the support and the repertoire of my colleagues and ultimately allowed me to be confident in who I am, and what I have to offer and confirmed that my aspirations are legitimate. This role helped me become the leader I think I secretly knew I was supposed to be.
Who was your favorite MBA professor?
Through my time at Scheller, I have had the opportunity to take classes with many inspiring, brilliant, thought-provoking, and kind teachers. If I had to choose one, however, I would choose Professor Michael Oxman who not only taught the Sustainability Practicum I was fortunate to take but also served as an advisor to Net Impact. Professor Oxman was extremely supportive in our class helping us manage client situations and expectations. Beyond the class, he has helped encourage and build our chapter up through his support of our first Net Impact One-Day Conference at Scheller and in many other capacities.
What was your favorite MBA Course and what was the biggest insight you gained about business from it?
My favorite MBA Course has been Managing Innovation with Professor Alexander Oettl. This class was the first of many that I took in my time at Scheller that focused on the power of innovation. It really showed me the emphasis companies are currently placing on innovation and helped prime me well for my time as a business technology consultant at Southwest Airlines. In my interviews, I talked most about what I learned in this class and how it really brought out my excitement to learn about how innovation is the key to taking sustainable solutions to the world.
Why did you choose the Scheller College of Business?
When considering schools I tried to cast a broad net to really determine the best fit for where I wanted to go with my career and my future. When looking through the criteria - sustainability, innovation, opportunities to thrive, challenge myself, and earn a marketable degree - it was obvious that the Georgia Tech Scheller MBA program was the fit for me. Beyond those, at the welcome day, I met the most amazing group of driven, friendly, and intellectual future classmates that I was prepared to spend the next two years learning, growing, and supporting.
What did you enjoy most about business school in general?
I have enjoyed being in an environment where I am constantly challenged to exceed expectations and overwhelmingly supported to achieve my goals. I truly had no idea I was capable of achieving all the things that my MBA has prepared me for. This has been the best decision of my life in both earning my MBA and choosing Scheller.
I truly had no idea I was capable of achieving all the things that my MBA has prepared me for. This has been the best decision of my life in both earning my MBA and choosing Scheller.
What was the most surprising thing about business school for you?
All the doors that it opens! (Hypothetically of course) I knew that I was going back to school to learn more and be able to be a more articulate business person but I never believed that I would discover my ability to lead, my passion for sustainability, and ultimately my ability to really make an impact and change the world!
What is your best piece of advice to an applicant hoping to get into Scheller’s MBA program?
Be yourself! Scheller has a unique culture that instills teamwork, supporting everyone to achieve their goals and become the future leaders of business. Being your most authentic self will not only help you get into Scheller but will help you find the perfect fit for you in all your future endeavors.
“I knew I wanted to go to business school when…”
I left every meeting and interaction at my job wondering “What do these decisions, timelines, and amounts mean and why are they important?”
What is your ultimate long-term professional goal?
To become a consultant that helps companies figure out strategies to influence customers to make the decision that has the future of our world in mind. The easiest example that I would hope could happen and be paralleled is creating a product that would influence the consumer to continually choose to recycle it.
Who would you most want to thank for your success?
Throughout all of my life I have had an enormous cheering section that has applauded me in my triumphs, encouraged me in weakness, demanded I reach for my highest potential and most importantly never left my side. It is impossible to name just one person because it is the collective group of family and friends that I lean on for strength, encouragement, and tough love.
In one sentence, how would you like your peers to remember you?
I would like to be remembered as a leader always pursuing the best for others and their surroundings.