Category Archives: Executive

From MBA+ To The Big Leagues

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If you find working in the sports industry appealing but don’t think your current résumé can land you a job, the Texas MBA+ Leadership Program may be just what you need to help you get a foot in the door.

Over the past few years, hundreds of students have capitalized on the opportunities available through MBA+, with dozens of them completing micro-consulting projects for sports teams and related brands. For some students, the sports-related projects were simply a unique way to apply what they were learning in class, but for others, it was the first step to breaking into the sports industry.

In fact, for many prospective students looking to change careers or switch into any new industry – not just sports – MBA+ is a key factor in their decision to come to McCombs.

“When I visited for Preview Weekend, I decided I was going to come here during [MBA+ Director] Deidra Stephens’ presentation about MBA+ projects,” says soon-to-be Texas MBA graduate Dan Amodio. When he saw some of the brands from past projects listed on the presentation slides, his mind was made up.

Before coming to McCombs, Amodio was working in technology sales – a good job, he says, but not one that left him completely satisfied. When considering his options, Amodio kept going back to an internship he had completed with the Cincinnati Reds while in college. “I loved the industry and loved working towards something I believed in,” he says. “I loved giving people the best day of their week at the games.”

Amodio knew his return to business school would be all about trying to put himself in position to get a good job in baseball. He saw the MBA+ project as the first step to gaining industry experience, which he could then turn into an internship, and eventually, a career. With plans to work in baseball after graduation, Amodio knew this project would ultimately play a big role in making that goal a reality.

With the help of Stephens, Amodio was able to connect with a member of Major League Baseball’s San Francisco Giants and managed to set up a consulting project with the team’s strategic revenue department to analyze the purchasing behavior of fans at the ballpark. After recruiting some fellow classmates to join in on the project, Amodio’s team reviewed transaction data for a specific group of season ticket holders and recommended ways to enhance the value proposition for these fans. Able to directly apply what they were learning in the classroom, the project turned out to be a great success.

Dan Amodio, far right, with his MBA+ project team at AT&T Park in San Francisco.

When it comes to students working with sports brands on MBA+ projects, the Giants project team is far from alone. While McCombs remains better known for excelling in more traditional corporate environments, the list of successful sports-related projects completed by Texas MBA students is an impressive one. Continue reading →

Women and Girls Lead: Rina Hartline

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Texas Executive MBA student Rina Hartline, class of 2013, is among eight local women being featured by KLRU as part of their participation in the national Women and Girls Lead campaign. Rina is director of Texas State Relations at CenterPoint Energy and is also the founder of the Association of Women in Energy (AWE).

Encouraged to say something bold at a conference in 2010, Rina declared that she would start an organization for women in the energy field where the workforce is predominantly male. As the founder of AWE, Rina is dedicated to promoting the education and advancement of women and girls in comprehensive energy fields.

Watch Rina Hartline on PBS. See more from Women and Girls Lead: Austin.

Women and Girls Lead is a multi-year public media initiative to focus, educate, and connect citizens worldwide in support of the issues facing women and girls. Combining independent documentary film, television, new media, and global outreach partnerships, Women and Girls Lead amplifies the voices of women and girls acting as leaders, expands understanding of gender equity, and engages an international network of citizens and organizations to act locally and reach out globally.

Texas MBA at SXSW 2013

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With SXSW just days away, I wanted to share a couple of ways that the Texas MBA program will be involved at the conference this year.

Texas MBA at SXSWTexas MBA at SXSW Startup Village

When: March 9, 6-8 p.m.
Where: Vince Young Steakhouse

Along with the Master of Science in Technology and Commercialization (MSTC) and the Master of Science in Finance (MSF) programs, Texas MBA will once again be hosting a networking reception during SXSW Interactive. This year’s reception will feature a live band, complimentary food and beverages, and branded giveaways. If you made it to last year’s event, then you know that a great time is in store – don’t forget to RSVP.

Texas MBA at SXSW Trade Show

When: March 10-13, beginning at 11 a.m. each day
Where: Austin Convention Center, Exhibit Halls 3 & 4

Current students, as well as staff from our admissions and career management teams, will be on hand to talk with prospective students about the various opportunities within our programs. Staff and students will also be available to speak with prospective employers about the talent pool at McCombs for MBA internships and full-time positions. Stop by to learn more about the Texas MBA and pick up some cool McCombs swag.

In addition to our program’s involvement, many other faculty, staff, and students from across the university will be involved in SXSW activities. For more information, check out McCombs at SXSW and UT at SXSW.

Meet Jocelyn Sexton, MBA ’14

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Texas MBA Student Jocelyn SextonName: Jocelyn Sexton
Class: Executive MBA, ‘14
Hometown: Shiner, TX (home of the world-famous Shiner Beer)
Education: Journalism-Public Relations, University of North Texas
Current Job: In January, I accepted a new position as the Director of Programs, Products and Services at the Texas Land Title Association. Previously, I spent nearly seven years in state government working as an editor and communications coordinator.

Why did want to come back to school for your MBA?
I always knew that I wanted to earn a master’s degree and originally gained admittance into UT’s top-rated graduate advertising program. The program seemed to offer a good balance between creative and strategic thinking, and I was excited to attend UT in the fall. However, because I work full-time, I planned to take just one or two classes at a time and slowly work my way through the program.

I never really entertained the thought of pursuing an MBA because I was intimidated by all the math (… and still am). But after I received my acceptance letter to UT, I started to take a harder look at my future career plans, and realized all of my ambitions were ultimately tied to management. My career had reached a long plateau, and if I was ever going to get into a true leadership position, I felt like a business degree might help me finally make a move up the ladder. Lucky for me, UT had two great MBA programs available for folks like me who worked full-time. I’m happy to be in the Executive MBA program because I’ll finish in just two years, and I’m only in class every other week.

What has been your biggest surprise since starting the Texas MBA program?
If I’m being completely honest, I had a preconceived notion that MBA graduates from prestigious programs such as UT had a reputation for being a bit snobby. I worried about not measuring up or feeling insignificant compared to my classmates. But I could not ask for a better group of peers! By and large, my classmates are so nice, friendly, humble, encouraging and helpful. There’s not one snob in our bunch! Also, I’m incredibly impressed by the backgrounds of so many of my new friends. From military folks, doctors and engineers, to a farmer, an art dealer and a former MMA fighter… we have a crazy-awesome mix of experiences. Many of my classmates have already had exceptional careers, but when we’re in school, we’re in it together and totally there for each other. The professors at McCombs are really great, but I’ve learned more from my classmates.

Texas MBA Student Jocelyn Sexton and Family

Outside of class, what are you involved in?
At school, I serve as the co-chair of the Texas Evening and Executive MBA Women’s Forum, and I look forward to continuing a campaign that encourages more professional women to pursue an MBA at UT. At work, I’m involved with professional organizations that promote leadership, professional development and communication, especially for association executives. But the most important thing in my life — above school and work — is being a wife and mom. My husband and I are parents to (in my unbiased opinion) the world’s best three-year-old boy, and I try to carve out as much time as possible hanging out with my two handsome guys. It’s really hard to juggle everything, but I’m hoping it will all be worth it once I earn my degree!