BHP Senior Katherine Magee originally came into UT as an engineering major, but she soon realized that her interests lay elsewhere. “I discovered that I was more interested in solving strategic problems than I was in solving technical problems,” Magee said. This led her to McCombs, and to BHP. She was admitted to BHP through the sophomore transfer process, and quickly felt at home in the BHP community.
In addition to her involvement in the BHP community, Magee has been involved in organizations that have allowed her to find innovative solutions for problems both inside and outside of UT. She was particularly passionate about her work with Central Texas Model UN, the BHP Steering Committee, and the Senate of College Councils (SCC). She has enjoyed volunteering at Model United Nations conferences around the world to help teach high school students about international affairs. Her focus in the SCC has been on improving UT’s curriculum, and working to design a new technology education program at UT that would give students increased exposure to technology in their classes. Through the BHP Steering Committee, Magee has also worked to improved the BHP curriculum and increase the level of student feedback on BHP courses.
Magee also found time for two internships, working at the Capitol, Upland Software, and for Bain & Company. Her sophomore year, she served as a legislative intern at the Texas State Capitol. Though she enjoyed being involved in public policy and interacting with constituents, the experience helped her realize she did not want to pursue politics. That summer, she had the chance to work at Upland Software, which taught her bout the technology and SaaS industries. The following summer, she interned with Bain & Company, where she helped develop business initiatives for a trailer axle manufacturer and worked on a results delivery project for a quick service restaurant. She enjoyed the internship immensely and will return there as an Associate Consultant after graduation.
“If you had told me as a freshman that I would be working for Bain after graduation, I would have been very surprised!” Magee said. She is thrilled to be working for Bain, and she credits McCombs for helping her turn her interests into relevant and exciting experiences. “I’m thankful for the community McCombs has given me, and the professors and classes I’ve had that have encouraged me to try new things, which ultimately led me to this job and career path!”