#TXMS Student Spotlight: Fahad Raza MSF 2019

15 November 201816 February 2023 by veronicasun

Program:

Master of Science Program in Finance

Student Name:

Fahad Raza

Graduating Class:

Class of 2019

Undergraduate Alma Mater:

UT Austin, Sociology and Economics

About Fahad:

I am originally from the Cypress/Katy area in the outskirts of Houston, Texas. Shortly after starting my academic career at the University of Texas, I opened Kababeque in Downtown Austin — a food truck that highlights the cuisine of the Mediterranean region with the flavors of South Asia. Since then, Kababeque has expanded into three locations throughout the Austin area and continues to become a staple in the city.

Proudest Accomplishment:

I will never forget watching Vince Young run through the end zone in the 2005 National Championship and realizing at that moment: I wanted to grow up and be a Texas Longhorn. This Spring, I earned a degree from UT Austin – my dream school. That feeling of walking the stage and becoming a part of the Texas Ex family is unparalleled.

Why did you choose the MSF Program?

After starting a business and watching it grow into something special, I quickly realized that I wanted to help others do the same while honing my own skills. With my applied experience, I want to consult other business owners and leaders in making critical decisions that guide their organizations through a positive trajectory. Going to a top-ranked business school like McCombs while staying in an amazing city like Austin to learn all the ins and outs of the financial world was a no-brainer.

What are you looking forward to most this year?

I am extremely excited to be part of a cohort that shares the same drive for success that I do. Being able to learn from all of the great MS Finance faculty members as well as learning from each other as a group is something that I’m really happy about. Just from taking the summer courses alone, I can tell that this program will be very challenging but extremely fulfilling.

More on Texas MS Student Spotlight:

Texas MS #StudentSpotlight is a recurring feature showcasing the talent, background, and aspirations of the McCombs Master of Science Program students! Learn more about the Texas Master of Science in Finance on our homepage.

Current Texas MS students interested in appearing in our student spotlight should contact their Program Coordinator regarding access to the Student Spotlight Survey.

#TXMS Student Spotlight: Jeffrey Fulkerson MSBA 2019

13 November 201816 February 2023 by veronicasun

Program:

Master of Science Program in Business Analytics

Student Name:

Jeffrey Fulkerson

Graduating Class:

Class of 2019

Undergraduate Alma Mater:

UT Austin, Computer Science

About Jeffrey:

I have a background in computer science and studio art, with an interest in developing data visualizations. I believe that as our information age progresses and our society becomes more complex, making statistical analysis understandable is essential to the public good. I am hoping to be able to help push data science methodology further into the public sphere so legislation is based solidly in well-sourced research.

Proudest Accomplishment:

A loved one was going through a very challenging time and I worked to gain a better understanding of clinical depression and helped implement support skills necessary to make their life better. This has fueled my passion for what I hope to accomplish in my career.

Why did you choose the MSBA Program?

I wanted to be near my family and friends and participate in a program that would prepare me to be a data scientist. The MSBA program covers most of the necessary fields that other programs do not, and will help me network with public servants here in Austin, which is where I want to apply my skills.

What are you looking forward to most this year?

Increasing my understanding of statistics. Meeting people from this technical world that I haven’t been a part of until now. Getting a well-paying job in order to get myself and some of my friends on their feet; the more money I make the more support I can offer people I know in particularly bad or stagnant circumstances. Contributing meaningfully to the City of Austin and Texas as a whole.

More on Texas MS Student Spotlight:

Current Texas MS students interested in appearing in our student spotlight should contact their Program Coordinator regarding access to the Student Spotlight Survey.

#TXMS Student Spotlight: Megan Burke MSM 2019

8 November 201816 February 2023 by veronicasun

Program:

Master of Science Program in Marketing

Student Name:

Megan Burke

Graduating Class:

Class of 2019

Undergraduate Alma Mater:

UT Austin, Psychology

About Megan:

I received my Bachelor of Arts from the University of Texas at Austin in May 2018. I discovered my passion for unpacking consumer behavior through various psychology and business courses. I am originally from North Jersey, but Texas has been my home for the past 4 years. I spend my free time fostering dogs, designing kitchens, playing IM volleyball with my marketing cohort and eating my way through Austin.

Proudest Accomplishment:

My proudest accomplishment is being part of IBM Design Studio and UT Austin’s inaugural cohort for the Radical Collaboration Design Program. I was selected as 1 of 24 students out of 100+ applicants. During this semester long program, my team developed an innovative university registration system utilizing IBM Watson’s natural language APIs and data aggregation platform. This included conducting primary research with UT students, administrators, and advisors to target pain points in the current registration process. Our team applied these insights along with design thinking principles to create and test prototypes with sponsor users. Our team presented their solution to stakeholders, the Head of IBM Design, UT’s Dean of the College of Fine Arts, and UT’s Director of the Center for Integrated Design. We received all around positive comments from the audience, and she earned the Design Thinking Practitioner and Design Thinking Co-Creator badges from IBM.

Why did you choose the MSM Program?

I chose to join the Master of Science in Marketing program to improve my quantitative and technical skills, so I can work as an analyst upon graduation. This program appealed to me because it blended qualitative and quantitative data and research methods. Although this is an analytics heavy program, McComb’s curriculum keeps students on track to solving business problems so that they don’t get lost in the data. Thus far my favorite course is Databases and Data Visualizations. I love creating meaningful graphics that tell a story about the data at hand.

What are you looking forward to most this year?

The Capstone project in the spring is also a major reason why I chose McCombs. I look forward to working with a company’s real data to consult and solve a problem that is impacting their business. I also look forward to upcoming social events where I can hang out with my MSM friends and meet students from other MS programs!

More on Texas MS Student Spotlight:

Current Texas MS students interested in appearing in our student spotlight should contact their Program Coordinator regarding access to the Student Spotlight Survey.

#TXMS Student Spotlight: Thomas Stamatopoulos MSITM 2019

6 November 201816 February 2023 by veronicasun

Program:

Master of Science Program in Information Technology and Management

Student Name:

Thomas Stamatopoulos

Graduating Class:

Class of 2019

Undergraduate Alma Mater:

National Technical University of Athens, Mechanical Engineering

About Thomas:

Coming from Athens, Greece I studied Mechanical Engineering and worked two years at a Construction company; first on site managing a team of contractors and then in the main office, before I got a Master’s at Marine Technology. After that, I jumped into a job at a Shipping Company, with which I had the chance to travel around Southeast Asia and the Persian Gulf and spent a fair amount if time on board oil tankers. I also practiced judo for 5 years and would have gotten the black belt if it wasn’t for my military service.

On a personal note, I am committed and thorough and I will try to solve all crosswords of a book in order of appearance. I take pride into managing my personal problems, but will go out of my way to help others. I must always find something to do and cannot stand idle for the life of me, but the sea calms me and I have a soft spot for dogs.

Proudest Accomplishment:

While I was working at a construction company, I started realizing that my ambitions and interests were not in line with what the industry had to offer and decided to develop my skills and venture into a new path towards Shipping. While completing a Master’s Degree in parallel to working full time was challenging, I was proud when I completed it and managed to get a job in a strong and developing company. There, my hard work and devotion to my responsibilities was acknowledged and rewarded and I quickly rised through the ranks and was given huge responsibilities managing day to day activities of 8 multi-million vessels. It is always gratifying to achieve a personal goal and prove to yourself that you are capable of continuous improvement.

Why did you choose the MSITM Program?

Watching the evolution of business and the ever-growing integration of technology and analytics in every organization, I wanted to strengthen my technical skills and create a competitive advantage transiting into a more technical role. The MSITM program’s curriculum was filled with a mix of the latest and greatest technologies used by businesses, while being in the McCombs Business School was a guarantee of its quality and also ensured that the knowledge would by provided in a practical context.

What are you looking forward to most this year?

During the Spring Semester, as part of the MSITM curriculum, I will participate in a capstone project creating a solution to an actual business problem working with one of the great companies that are in Austin and are interested in the program. I am exicted about being able to take ownership of the problem and working with the company. I will have a chance to implement my acquired knowledge and get real life experience prior to the completion of my studies. I am also exited to go to the South By South West conference in Austin, where companies and entrepreneurs meet and present innovative solutions, getting a chance see the future of technology first hand.

More on Texas MS Student Spotlight:

Current Texas MS students interested in appearing in our student spotlight should contact their Program Coordinator regarding access to the Student Spotlight Survey.

#TXMS Student Spotlight: Tyler Amodio MSF 2019

31 October 201816 February 2023 by veronicasun

Program:

Master of Science Program in Finance

Student Name:

Tyler Amodio

Graduating Class:

Class of 2019

Undergraduate Alma Mater:

UT Austin, Economics

About Tyler:

I am from Long Island, New York. I attended UT as an undergrad after transferring from Connecticut College, where I played DIII NCAA lacrosse. I have been fascinated with entrepreneurship my entire life and have been involved in a few companies in the Austin startup ecosystem.

Proudest Accomplishment:

My proudest accomplishment has to be securing a partnership with Sam’s Club/Walmart for my college grocery delivery startup Deliver U. I had spent practically a month cold calling my way to their headquarters when I hit a dead end. After searching through LinkedIn, I was able to get ahold of former Executive VP of Operations Don Frieson who had loved the concept. Shortly after, I had a phone call with Sam’s Operations team and secured a partnership. This was a great life lesson as it showed me persistence and determination pays off greatly.

Why did you choose the MSF Program?

I have been involved in various business ventures throughout my life, and to me, understanding the underlying fundamentals of Finance is a necessity. I was involved in a previous startup where my lack of financial knowledge lost me a portion of my company. After hearing about the MSF program’s rigorous and expedited coursework, I applied right away.

What are you looking forward to most this year?

This year I am looking forward to broadening my financial knowledge and utilizing it to secure a job in sustainable investments. Apart from that, I look forward to enjoying this beautiful city and everything it had to offer with upcoming events like ACL and SXSW

More on Texas MS Student Spotlight:

Current Texas MS students interested in appearing in our student spotlight should contact their Program Coordinator regarding access to the Student Spotlight Survey.

Texas MS Bridge #StudentSpotlight: Nina Laudon, MSM 2019

8 May 201816 February 2023 by veronicasun

Program:

Master of Science Bridge Program in Marketing

Student Name:

Nina Laudon

Graduating Class:

Class of 2019

Undergraduate Alma Mater:

University of Texas at Austin, Human Development and Family Science

About Nina:

Part of why I chose to attend UT was because of the opportunities I had in research as an undergraduate. I actually started college as a neuroscience major, participated in the Freshman Research Initiative doing nano-material research, and quickly realized that while I loved the research process, what I wanted to study was people. So as many students do, I changed my major. I wanted to continue pursuing behavioral research, but with more real world applications. I find human behavior fascinating in its irrationalism, and understanding consumer behavior through data insights and behavioral economics is my ultimate goal.

Proudest Accomplishment:

I’m proud of the work I’ve done in the past year at the Behavioral Science Lab (BSL), a startup that reveals the why of consumer decision making. Being a part of an organization that is revealing insights that big data misses has reinforced the belief that regardless of our reliance on technology, human connection has to be the final piece. I’m incredibly grateful and humbled to have worked with such wonderful mentors and I’m very excited about the future of the company.

Why did you choose the MSM Bridge Program?

I applied to MSM because it felt like one of the only programs that didn’t ask me to sacrifice being creative or being analytical. I’ve never had a firm right brain/left brain separation and marketing with a heavy emphasis on analytics seemed to be the perfect fit for me. I actually didn’t know that I could apply early until a couple weeks before the application was due, but having the opportunity to be involved a year early helped solidify my goals and interests for the program.

What are you most looking forward to in your program?

I’m really excited to be back in the program this fall, in an environment with a group of bright individuals who share my passions. I’m lucky to know two classes of this program, and to have two years of networking moving into my full time career.

More on Texas MS Bridge Student Spotlight:

Texas MS Bridge #StudentSpotlight is a new feature showcasing the talent, background, and aspirations of the McCombs Master of Science Program students! Learn more about the Texas Master of Science Bridge Program in Marketing on our homepage.

Current Texas MS Bridge students interested in appearing in our student spotlight should contact their Program Coordinator regarding access to the Student Spotlight Survey.

Texas MS #StudentSpotlight: Suyi Tu, MSBA 2018

3 May 201816 February 2023 by veronicasun

Program:

Master of Science in Business Analytics

Student Name:

Suyi Tu

Graduating Class:

Class of 2018

Undergraduate Alma Mater:

Zhejiang University, Information and Computing Science (Mathematics)

About Suyi:

I majored in mathematics in undergrad and have a solid foundation in modeling, programming and logical thinking. I’m fascinated by the amount of information conveyed in data and am convinced that I would love to work with data in the future.

Proudest Accomplishment:

I am a certified National Chess Master. I started playing chess at a very young age and have been playing it for over 15 years now. Chess has taught me not only to be persistent and considerate, but also to be creative. I use this creativity to apply lateral thinking in my everyday life.

Why did you choose the MSBA Program?

I think the slogan for this program says it all: “To become a data driven story teller”. It embodied exactly what I sought to become and what kind of job I wanted coming out of school.

What are you most looking forward to in your program?

I am really looking forward to starting work in a field that I am interested in. I am ready to apply the knowledge that I’ve learned from this program to solve real-world business problems and deliver value to my organization. And through all of this, I am also excited to learn and grow even more!

More on Texas MS Student Spotlight:

Texas MS #StudentSpotlight is a new feature showcasing the talent, background, and aspirations of the McCombs Master of Science Program students! Learn more about the Texas Master of Science in Business Analytics on our homepage.

Current Texas MS students interested in appearing in our student spotlight should contact their Program Coordinator regarding access to the Student Spotlight Survey.

Texas MS Bridge #StudentSpotlight: Pamela Pimienta, MSF 2019

24 April 201816 February 2023 by veronicasun

Program:

Master of Science Bridge Program in Finance

Student Name:

Pamela Pimienta

Graduating Class:

Class of 2019

Undergraduate Alma Mater:

University of Texas at Austin, Economics

About Pamela:

I am the youngest of 4 from The Woodlands, TX. Growing up with three older brothers I developed a competitive mentality. I love to push myself not only physically with sports but I also love to challenge myself academically. During my undergraduate years at UT I have participated in greek life and played for the UT Women’s club soccer team.

Proudest Accomplishment:

I am the first person in my family to pursue a Masters degree.

Why did you choose the MSF Bridge Program?

McCombs has some of the best programs in the country that a public university offers. The curriculum will teach me new skills and further develop the ones I have gained during my undergraduate years at UT.

What are you most looking forward to in your program?

I am looking forward to meeting the other students in the MSF class of 2019. The other bridge students that I met in the MSF program last summer are intelligent and driven. I am also looking forward to the curriculum. I am excited to learn new skills through these classes that will help me with my future career.

More on Texas MS Bridge Student Spotlight:

Current Texas MS Bridge students interested in appearing in our student spotlight should contact their Program Coordinator regarding access to the Student Spotlight Survey.

Texas MS Bridge #StudentSpotlight: Mark Babbe, MSBA 2019

18 April 201816 February 2023 by veronicasun

Program:

Master of Science Bridge Program in Business Analytics

Student Name:

Mark Babbe

Graduating Class:

Class of 2019

Undergraduate Alma Mater:

University of Texas at Austin, Marketing

About Mark:

I am originally from Chicago, Illinois and moved to Texas in 2005 with a hope for better weather and a better life. I grew up playing almost every sport and constantly spent time in the Texas outdoors. Upon graduating high school, I came to UT Austin with the hope of becoming the best version of my self that I know I can be. Today, I am happy to have the friends and family that support me in whatever I do, and I look forward to what my future holds.

Proudest Accomplishment:

I am definable most proud of what I have achieved academically. I was always in competition with my friends to be the smartest, but now I realize just how beneficial that competition was. I graduated Salutatorian of my high school and am now at a top university, achieving my dreams.

Why did you choose the MSBA Bridge Program?

I applied for an MS in Business Analytics because I have always been numbers driven, and realized that I can use it to build on my undergraduate degree. Data is what drives our future decisions and it was so exciting to see a program that offers just that.

What are you most looking forward to in your program?

I am looking forward to learning, but ultimately doing things I never knew were possible. Technology advances every single day and to be apart of that journey will be something I’ll be forever grateful for.

More on Texas MS Bridge Student Spotlight:

Current Texas MS Bridge students interested in appearing in our student spotlight should contact their Program Coordinator regarding access to the Student Spotlight Survey.

Texas MS #StudentSpotlight: Siddhant Shah, MSBA 2018

17 April 201816 February 2023 by veronicasun

Program:

Master of Science in Business Analytics

Student Name:

Siddhant Shah

Graduating Class:

Class of 2018

Undergraduate Alma Mater:

MS Ramaiah Institute of Technology, Mechanical Engineering

About Siddhant:

Hailing from the Silicon Valley of India – Bangalore, extensive experience in the field of analytics working with top Fortune 500 clients from industries such as retail, financial services and health insurance. Given enough money to sustain for a lifetime, I’d spend it all on backpacking across the globe, meeting new people and learning about their culture, and also playing football (soccer) in different parts of the world. HUGE MANCHESTER UNITED FAN!

Proudest Accomplishment:

My biggest achievement was being able to successfully build a prototype of a cost-effective medical device to help correct limb deformities among orthopedic patients, which could potentially make the procedure more accessible to financially distressed patients. This novel idea was built in collaboration with a reputed orthopedic surgeon himself, who was highly appreciative of our efforts. The project was also a trigger to me realizing my true analytical capabilities and love for creating out-of-the-box solutions using quantitative methods, driving me towards building a career in Data Science.

Why did you choose the MSBA Program?

In the constantly evolving space of Data Science and Analytics, the learning curve is extremely steep! I truly believe, on the job learning is never good enough to take your career to the next level. Therefore, even with 4 years of relevant work experience, I decided to pursue the McCombs MSBA program, being taught by distinguished industry experts, with a comprehensive curriculum designed to serve needs of students like myself.

What are you most looking forward to in your program?

As we draw closer towards the end of an important semester of the program, I look forward to finishing it with a strong academic performance and apply my learnings from class to the capstone project next semester. Coursework aside, we have our fair share of fun too and I have a West Coast vacation planned with a few friends for winter break, involving a road trip along the beautiful pacific coast highway one.

More on Texas MS Student Spotlight:

Current Texas MS students interested in appearing in our student spotlight should contact their Program Coordinator regarding access to the Student Spotlight Survey.