Category: MSM

#TXMS Student Spotlight: Tat Whitley MSM 2020

by santiagoleon

<strong>Program: </strong>Master of Science in Marketing Student Name

Program:

Master of Science in Marketing

Student Name:

Tat Whitley

Graduating Class:

Class of 2020

Undergraduate Alma Mater:

University of Colorado at Boulder & Rhodes College in Memphis, TN; History major, Anthropology/Sociology minor

 

About Tat:

I’m an identical twin, adopted from Russia at nineteen months. Growing up in Austin, I’ve seen it change for good and worse. I firmly believe Hyde Park is the heart and soul of what Austin used to be, and it brings back memories of what I love about Austin from the 1990s and early 2000s. I love this city, but I also love escaping it to go hunting in the hill country, exploring BBQ staples in small towns, and state parks around Central Texas. I’m an avid UT football fan and am a former high school football coach. I renewed my season tickets back in the Spring.

Proudest accomplishment:

I am incredibly proud and humbled of getting my first full-time, teaching position. I set out a goal to teach at a specific high school in Austin, TX after my first semester of college, and did activities and coursework that would help me reach, engage, and fulfill my future students. Although I was helped a lot along the way through networking, family support, and other socioeconomic resources, I am proud of myself when reflecting on the four years it took to reach that goal because of my persistence and devotion to something that I thought I would love, but turns out wasn’t the right career for me.

Why did you choose the MSM Program?

I think Jade DeKinder is an incredible program director. Her forthright conversation with me on the value and allocation of resources for the program played a significant role in why I chose McCombs over other programs, such as Denver University, Vanderbilt, University of Southern California, SMU, and Wake Forest. Furthermore, Career Services at MS McCombs showed differentiated benefit compared to other universities, and the curriculum design fit my zeal for analytics and social sciences. Lastly, I’ve always wanted to be a Longhorn, and I had already declined to be one once. Life is finite – become a Longhorn.

What have you enjoyed so far this year and look forward to for the future?

I’m looking forward to working with the great professors who opted to teach this program. Professor DeKinder wasn’t kidding when she said we get some of the best. As a former teacher, I think their pedagogy is astounding! I’m also excited to work closely with a diverse student-body. It’s something I was gifted when I studied abroad in South Africa, and I’m fortunate to be part of such a wonderful cohort.

#TXMS Student Spotlight: Antora Majumdar MSM 2019

by veronicasun

Program:

Master of Science Program in Marketing

Student Name:

Antora Majumdar

Graduating Class:

Class of 2019

Undergraduate Alma Mater:

University of Arizona, Psychology and Film & Television

About Antora:

I’m from the desert! AKA Phoenix, Arizona. I graduated college in 2015, and before joining the MSM program I worked for a few years in fields ranging from customer service to marketing. In my free time, you can find me watching movies or making some of my own. I love to be creative and experiment with video editing and photography. I hope to eventually blend my love for film and my new education in marketing to work in the entertainment industry.

Proudest Accomplishment:

My proudest accomplishment was being selected to present at my university’s Undergraduate Research Symposium. I presented my research paper on New York Time’s film critic A.O. Scott and the evolving nature of modern film criticism. It was such an honor to present my work to visiting faculty members and people in my own university community. And it was really thrilling to be able to share something I had worked on for so long.

Why did you choose the MSM Program?

I applied to the McCombs MSM program because of how well-rounded it was. And coming from a more creative background, I wanted to take courses that focused on analytics. Looking at the MSM curriculum, I could see that the courses were designed to set someone up with the skills they would need for success as soon as they graduated. I also really appreciated the emphasis on career services opportunities, which was something I could not pass up.

What were the first 3 weeks of the program like?

Orientation was a whirlwind but it was such a great opportunity to meet people, not only from my own program, but the other MS programs as well. It is always daunting to start new somewhere, but all of the faculty, staff, and other students have been so welcoming, which has made the transition much easier. And one of my favorite parts of the orientation experience was hearing from students who had graduated from the program previously.

I can’t believe two weeks of classes went by so quickly! There was quite a bit to learn but I had enjoyed every second of it. All of my professors are incredibly engaging, and you can tell they are passionate about what they do.

What are you looking forward to most this year?

This year, I am looking forward to working on a capstone project. I think being able to apply what I’ve learned in the classroom to a real-world setting will force me to think outside of the box and give me a chance to try something I’ve never done before. I’m also really looking forward to getting to know the rest of my cohort!

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 Marketing 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: Maiya Evans MSM 2019

by veronicasun

Program:

Master of Science Program in Marketing

Student Name:

Maiya Evans

Graduating Class:

Class of 2019

Undergraduate Alma Mater:

UT Austin, Merchandising and Consumer Sciences

About Maiya:

Ever since I was young growing up in La Porte Texas, I was interested in fashion. During my undergraduate studies I was exposed to many, if not all, of the paths, both conventional and not, available within the fashion industry. I found myself particularly interested however, in aesthetics and how the consumer insights that data reveals play a role in either creating or altering a brands image.

Toward the end of my undergraduate career during a group discussion, someone said, “things like technology and art are worth paying hundreds, thousands, and millions of dollars for because they require a lot skill, and fashion doesn’t.” There in that class, on that very day, I found that one issue, that one topic that I am more than happy to predict will be the hill I die on: The value of artistry in Fashion.

Proudest Accomplishment:

My proudest accomplishment is the work I do with/for The Audacity; providing visibility of issues within marginalized communities as well as a safe space for them to freely express themselves and advocate for one another.

Why did you choose the MSM Program?

My hope in acquiring this degree is to be equipped with the skills to alter consumer perception and make regularly purchasing sustainable/ Eco fashion the new normal. Data gives immeasurable insight into consumer purchase behavior and, the Marketing Analytics professional will use it in shaping the future of the industry.

With accolades ranging from being the 5th best Marketing Department with the 3rd best MS in Marketing degree in the Nation, to housing some of the most dedicated faculty, I believe the highly touted McCombs is the institution to aid me in manifesting the changes I want to see not only in the industry, but in the world.

What are you looking forward to most this year?

I am excited for the behavioral economics & social media classes next semester for two reasons. First, to garner a better understanding of how consumer minds work & what effects their purchasing decisions and second, I think social media or an overall digital approach will be how we as marketers of the future will reach our consumers and make the changes we hope to

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 Marketing 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: Zarin Alam MSM 2019

by veronicasun

Program:

Master of Science Program in Marketing

Student Name:

Zarin Alam

Graduating Class:

Class of 2019

Undergraduate Alma Mater:

UT Austin, Marketing

About Zarin:

I am driven by my curiosity to learn about peoples’ backgrounds, their stories, and how that affects the way we think, especially when it comes to marketing research and analytics. Creativity comes naturally to me, so I like finding unique ways to tackle issues and projects. I’m a huge team player, and enjoy working collaboratively.

Proudest Accomplishment:

My proudest accomplishment is taking on a new leadership role within my family. I am the eldest sibling, and first child, from an immigrant family. As I am getting older and gaining new experiences in the world, I am taking what I have learned back to my parents and younger siblings and helping them navigate through different obstacles. For example, I help my parents simplify their lives by teaching them about technologies and apps that will benefit them in their day-to-day tasks. With my siblings, (Triplets, all age 10) I am striving to be an excellent role model and guide them through the struggles that I personally had to face growing up in a society different than my parents’.

Why did you choose the MSM Program?

I have always had an interest in peoples’ behavior and behavioral patterns so I studied Marketing in my undergrad. I soon realized that the jobs that I was interested in required more than what I was taught in undergrad, and needed to develop the technical skills to complement my natural tendency to understand and study the behaviors of others.

What are you looking forward to most this year?

I am looking forward to applying what I have learned throughout this year in a real-world setting, and actually get to help a company improve their marketing efforts in a team setting. I’m very excited for the capstone project!

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 Marketing 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: Megan Burke MSM 2019

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:

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 Marketing 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 McCombs Master of Science Program in Marketing Receives STEM Eligibility

by canipec

The one-year Master of Science in Marketing (MSM) program at the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin have been designated as a STEM eligible degree program. The designation indicates the rigorous quantitative nature of the MSM curriculum, and international students graduating from colleges and universities in the United States can prolong their studies in the country an additional 24 months by attending a STEM-certified graduate program.

STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) programs are certified for international students by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).

Program Director Dr. Jade DeKinder of the MSM said the STEM approval reflects the highly quantitative curriculum of the MSM degree. “The world of marketing has changed so rapidly that successful marketers for the next generation need to have strong quantitative skills – drawing from math, science and statistics. The new designation is an accurate depiction of the technical knowledge our students receive in the program.”

The MS Marketing degree at Texas McCombs is a 10-month graduate business degree open to all undergraduate majors. Students from a variety of work experience levels, from no experience to 5+ years, apply to the program. Cohort sizes are capped at 65 students each to enhance interaction with McCombs world-class faculty, and the curriculum includes a hands-on capstone experience solving business problems for participating companies. The MSM program emphasizes a focus in analytics and data-driven marketing.

The Master of Science in Marketing joins the Master of Science in Business Analytics and Master of Science in IT & Management as STEM-eligible degree offerings.

For more information, contact: Cayce Canipe, McCombs MS Programs Marketing Coordinator, Cayce.canipe@mccombs.utexas.edu, 512-232-7350.

Texas MS Bridge #StudentSpotlight: Nina Laudon, MSM 2019

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: Sarah Tafolla, MSM 2018

by veronicasun

Program:

Master of Science in Marketing

Student Name:

Sarah Tafolla

Graduating Class:

Class of 2018

Undergraduate Alma Mater:

University of Dallas, Business and Spanish Literature

About Sarah:

I grew up in Colorado Springs, but I found my way to Texas, and I love it! During college, I studied Business, Spanish Literature and received classic liberal arts training as part of the core at University of Dallas. And while I enjoy learning every discipline, I took a special interest in marketing, which led me to UT’s Master of Science in Marketing program. When I’m not busy being a student, I love to travel (I’ve done two study abroad programs, one in Rome and one in Costa Rica), read, play tennis, work on crossword puzzles, and occasionally get my fix of adrenaline through bungee jumping or skydiving.

Proudest Accomplishment:

I’m most proud of my Spanish thesis because of all it represents. I’m half Mexican, but not a native speaker. My grandparents refused to teach my father Spanish because his family had immigrated to the US and had trouble with the language barrier. Studying Spanish in college was my way of connecting to my heritage and honoring my grandparents. Although I have a long way to go until I consider myself truly fluent, 35 pages of academic writing in Spanish is a pretty good testament to how far I’ve come.

Why did you choose the MSM Program?

I only had one class in marketing during college and that simply wasn’t enough for me. I wanted to learn more, and I knew I would need some technical skills to be competitive if I wanted to pursue a career in this field. The MSM program’s mix of analytics, strategy, and marketing theory perfectly fit the bill. The McCombs network, the affordability, and the idea that I could stay in Texas all contributed in MSM becoming my top choice.

What are you most looking forward to in your program?

I’m happy to say that thanks to this program, I’ve accepted a Consulting Analyst position at Accenture for next year! I’m most looking forward to applying what I’ve learned in this program to my job. MSM has given me an edge, and I can’t wait to represent this program and show my company and clients what my education is worth. However, I know I will truly miss the people in this program. I’m thankful I’ll be staying in Austin, and I might just drop by professors’ office hours sometimes!
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 Marketing 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.

New Venture Marketing Students with Dr. Srinivasan

by canipec

Master of Science in MarketingIt’s getting to that time of year when our Master of Science students are starting to stress (just a little!). The end is in sight, finals are coming up, capstone projects are coming to a close, and many of them are starting to think about careers that await them. So amidst all this hard work, it’s nice to see our students getting a little break. Dr. Srinivasan of the Master of Science in Marketing Program and her New Venture Marketing students went to dinner as a group as a little reward for all their hard work.

New Venture Marketing is part of the cutting-edge MSM curriculum that combines quantitative analytical skills with the kind of qualitative decision-making marketers in digital age are making. The course asks students to think as a CEO might about marketing strategy from start to finish. Utilizing case studies to examine applied marketing principles, students can learn from real-world outcomes of different types of marketing decisions. Students get to alternate from the viewpoint of entrepreneur and investor to see multiple angles of an entrepreneurial venture.

The MS in Marketing curriculum is top-ranked thanks in large part to professors like Dr. Srinivasan. Dr. Srinivasan was recently named Associate Dean for Diversity and Inclusion.  In this role, Dr. Srinivasan will lead a committee Texas McCombs faculty and staff to create a practical action plan that will push the school’s ambitious diversity and inclusion goals forward.

Texas MS #StudentSpotlight: Elmira Yafyasova, MSM 2018

by canipec

Program:

Master of Science in Marketing

Student Name:

Elmira Yafyasova

Graduating Class:

Class of 2018

Undergraduate Alma Mater:

Lomonosov Moscow State University Business School, Moscow

About Elmira:

I am a proud MS Marketing and an international student at McCombs! During my four years at a Russian Business School, I learned a great deal about various business operations. However, I was always inclined to work closely with consumers and learn more about their behavior. After my undergrad, I worked at a real estate development company and was responsible for creating a new market strategy for the firm and making some crucial marketing decisions. Although my efforts paid off, I felt that I was lacking certainty in my decision-making as well as knowledge about advanced analytics. Therefore, I decided to pursue a Master’s in Marketing. I was lucky enough to travel since I was young and it made me a much more brave and open-minded person. Besides work and school, I like to spend my free time doing yoga and listening to audiobooks.

Proudest Accomplishment:

While I was working for a real estate development firm, my friends and I decided to participate in a Russian national case competition just out of genuine curiosity. Not only was the case was based on an Oil & Gas industry, about which I knew almost nothing, but also the entire team was busy working during the day, and we could only meet during the night. Since it was a national competition and we could not devote sufficient time to the project during normal hours, we thought our chances were pretty low. We met many times at crazy hours to discuss our progress on the case and had many times when we argued; however, we persevered. Despite all the constraints that we faced, we stayed highly motivated and worked our best. Imagine our surprise when we passed the Semi-final, Final, and eventually won the fifth place out of 120 teams across the country! So even when we do not have ideal conditions, everything is possible if you work hard and surround yourself with like-minded people!

Why did you choose the MSM Program?

When I considered an idea of applying to a graduate school, I already had a clear vision of I wanted to get out of it. My mentor recommended me to take a look at the University of Texas at Austin as a possible option, and I a was pleasantly surprised to find the MSM program. Besides world-class professors and strong relationships with great companies, the curriculum was a perfect combination of art and science of Marketing.

What are you most looking forward to in your program?

I am looking forward to applying my knowledge gained from classes to real business and marketing problems! I also hope to stay in touch with McCombs and work towards making MSM a widely-known program!

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 Marketing 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.