Undergraduate Institution: UT Austin

Undergraduate Major: Government

Tell us about yourself: Hey, y’all! My name is Monica Hebner and I am super excited to be a part of the MSM program. I went to UT for undergrad and could not quite leave the 40 Acres just yet. All throughout undergrad, and now in the MSM program, I am on the women’s cross country/track and field team where I specialize in distance events. I am a regular at Town Lake Trail, so if you’re ever out there in the morning we probably have crossed paths 🙂

What is your proudest accomplishment? I think I have two. First, getting to run at UT with my twin sister. There is nothing like lining up with a longhorn on your chest and competing for the University of Texas next to your best friend. Second, getting into the MSM program. I went through undergrad pretty uncertain as to what I wanted to do post-college. When learning about the MSM program and all the learning it would provide me, I felt like I had found my home. I remember opening the acceptance email while traveling for a track meet and it felt like I had just won the race!

What drew you to apply to the MSM program? The combination of the academic rigor, the professors, and the network in MSM is unmatched. There is no program quite like the MSM program where you get true analytical and quantitative coursework in addition to more traditional marketing coursework. I knew I wanted to strengthen those skills prior to entering the workforce and there is no better place to do it.

What are you most looking forward to this year? I am really looking forward to all the learning that is still left, the connections I will make, and the network I will have at the end.

Interested in learning more about the MSM program? Reach out to us at TexasMSM@mccombs.utexas.edu or connect with us here.

Undergraduate University: Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University – India

Undergraduate Major: B.Tech. – Computer Engineering

About Nihit: I am a reader, writer and podcaster. In my free time, I listen to Indian classical music, write poems or network with people from various fields and podcast: “Not A Podcast with Nihit Parikh.”

Proudest Accomplishments: 1) I presented my research paper on Social Review at Applied Research International Conference on World Economic and Social Review at Oxford University in the United Kingdom in 2019. 2) I ranked 2nd at National Level Creative Writing Bar Shree Competition in 2013.

Why did you choose the MSM Program? Having a family background in business, I have been fascinated by marketing since an early age. At my undergraduate level, I gained knowledge of Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, and Economics. I think Data & Marketing go hand-in-hand and the world can benefit from brands informed about what their consumers want. I love storytelling & networking to its core. This unique combination of qualitative & quantitative skillsets this program has to offer inspired me to apply.

What are you most looking forward to this year? Diving deep into statistics, data analytics, and core concepts of marketing is something that I’m very much looking forward to. I am looking forward to taking courses such as product & brand management and digital marketing for the first time. I want to create personal and professional value with this program and give new dimensions to the experiences I’ve had back home. I am also excited about the idea of global learning, networking, and the cultural experience that my time in Austin has to offer. This spring term, I’m looking forward to working with Google and Tinuiti for my capstone project.

Undergraduate University: Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey

Undergraduate Major: Industrial Design

About Dara: I am an industrial designer from Mexico, with experience working on marketing, UX/UI design, brand and product development and graphic design areas. I am passionate about creating solutions, jewelry design, dance, sharing significant moments with the ones I love and work for causes with social impact. Also, being with my gorgeous Blue Heeler dog and being involved in outdoor activities are things that I really enjoy to do.

Proudest Accomplishment: My proudest accomplishment is being where I am now. A woman whom through her personal and professional perspectives has learned that one of the most important things in life is to keep moving forward and learning from experiences no matter what. Nevertheless, there are a few things that I would never change in my life such as my participation in different social projects since I was young and my accomplishments within my dancing career.

Why did you choose the MSM program? Being a UT Austin MSM student is one of the most significant steps I have made in my professional career. From the beginning of my path towards my acceptance in the University of Texas at Austin I knew that the MSM program would help me build my professional career towards working within an NGO, Non Profit Organization, or Social Project within a business company. I was convinced that along with the creative background I would also be developing a skillset based on best practices supported by analytical work-frame within the Marketing field.

What have you enjoyed during your time in the program? Being an MSM program graduate student at the University of Texas at Austin and during a global pandemic is not easy; as students, we must be mentalized that is an intensive program but also that we have a handful of learning tools, mentors, and connection opportunities to make everything smoother. To mention only one thing that I have enjoyed during my tenure in this program is hard because there are too many.

Undergraduate Institution: University of Central Florida

Undergraduate Major: BSBA in Marketing with a minor in International Business

About Marielle: Photography has always been a passion of mine ever since I was a young child, and I decided to take the jump to start my own freelance photography business during my undergraduate degree. Three years later, and I still get that spark of excitement every time I capture the perfect moment for my clients. I caught the travel bug when I was very young, and I have had the opportunity to travel to over 27 countries, with my next stop hopefully being Japan one day. Born in Hawaii and raised in Florida, I’m usually found near the water and exploring the different springs and beaches the area has to offer. But now that Austin is my new home, I’m on the search for the perfect spot for birria tacos!

Proudest Accomplishment: Honestly, my proudest academic accomplishment was actually getting accepted into the MSM program here at McCombs. UT Austin has been a dream school of mine ever since I was a Freshman in high school, and getting to that point of opening the acceptance letter was truly a full circle moment for me. My undergraduate experience had not been easy, and the application process most definitely pushed me to my limits. Yet when I realized I got accepted into one of the top MSM programs in the entire country, it was the wake up call I needed to realize that hard work really does pay off. If there is one thing that this process has taught me yet, it’s that you should never underestimate the power you have as long as you try your best!

Why did you choose the MSM Program? The MSM program is one that has been crafted by some of the most knowledgeable and experienced figures in the marketing industry, and it shows. I knew that the MSM program at UT Austin was the perfect fit for me with its world renowned faculty and staff, exceptional networking opportunities, and a city that has continued to be a leader in both growth and innovation. Not only does this program provide you the tools and resources to succeed, but you are surrounded by likeminded individuals who are willing to put in the real work. This community will push you out of your comfort zone so that you are able to take advantage of the opportunities in front of you. Even though it is just the first semester, I am so excited to see how my cohort and I will grow and learn together through this journey.

What are you most looking forward to this year? I am very excited to dive deeper into the marketing curriculum this upcoming Fall and Spring as the MSM program offers courses that I would have never had the opportunity to take in my undergraduate degree. Classes like Data Analytics and Design Thinking are very intriguing to me and I’m looking forward to becoming more articulate in the language of digital marketing.

Program: MS Marketing

Undergraduate University and Major: UT Austin ’20, Radio-Television-Film, Economics, & Mathematics

About Leo: I’m a creative, passionate, and motivated film enthusiast, combined with a data aficionado. I’m currently mixing up my passion for creative production with my love of data analytics, and applying them to practice. In my free time, you can find me at the movies, running, hiking, or traveling.

Proudest Accomplishment: I’d love to talk about this in numbers! 1, 2, & 3 are magic numbers for me. I’ve earned 3 Bachelor’s degrees and 2 certificates at 1 university with 2 internships in 3 years! UT’s been really teaching me how to push myself out of my comfort zone and to be a master of time management.

Why did you choose the MSM program? MSM is a perfect fusion of developing creative skills and quantitative reasoning abilities. Here I can find brilliant peers and world class professors to enrich my perspectives. It also offers an unmatched opportunity to build a solid foundation for my future career plans.

What are you most looking forward to this year? The first semester was incredible! I’ve enjoyed new friendships with my amazing peers and the wonderful learning experience provided by MSM faculty. A special shout-out to MS staff who did a fantastic job during this special time. They’ve always been there for me! As for the spring, I’m excited about the capstone project the most, and can’t wait to see what I can accomplish together with my teammates!