What are you doing now as a Pamplin Pilot Alumnus?
I am working in the banking industry as a VP, Senior Commercial Banking Officer at Bank of America. I work with mid to large size companies in various industries in Oregon/SW Washington. My job responsibilities are as follows:
- Provide comprehensive and ongoing guidance, tools and solutions to support clients’ growth. This includes industry-leading digital capabilities and a wealth of proprietary research and analytics.
- Prepare and deliver client presentations with confidence as a trusted source for in-depth credit analysis and credit option strategies when planning for capital needs.
- Stay up to date with changing business trends that impact the business banking segment and translate those trends into business opportunities.
- Broaden the reach to a wide audience with robust marketing support and opportunities to participate in the community.
- Collaborate with teammates throughout Bank of America, including Investment Banking, Foreign Exchange, and Wealth Management, as well as Treasury Management to identify cross-selling opportunities — and increase client satisfaction.
Why did you select Pamplin School of Business for your MBA?
– Academic Excellence: The Pamplin School of Business Administration is known for its commitment to academic excellence. It offers a range of graduate business programs that are designed to provide students with a strong foundation in business principle and ethics
– Class Hours: Class times worked perfectly as I ran a business and had a full time job. Classes started at 7:55 in the evening and ended at 10:55pm.
– Faculty Expertise: The school has a faculty of experienced professors who are engaged in research and have expertise in various business disciplines. Faculty members often contribute to the academic and professional communities through publications and presentations.
– Alumni Network:
The school has a network of alumni who have gone on to successful careers in various industries. The alumni network can provide valuable connections and opportunities to current students and recent graduates.
– Career Services/Opportunities: Job placement assistance offered by the program.
– Class size: This was important to me as smaller classes tend to promote greater student engagement which leads to a collaborative learning environment.
– Travel: Opportunity to travel Europe for a global experience with the professor & classmates in the Tech and Innovative course.
Any Advice for someone considering a graduate program?
I personally recommend higher education as it helped me with career advancement and personal growth. Graduate programs can offer a wide range of benefits and can help individuals in several ways, depending on the specific program and field of study.
The following are steps I took prior to applying to a graduate program:
– Take some time to reflect on your career goals and what you hope to achieve with a graduate degree prior to applying. Determine if an MBA or another graduate program aligns with your aspirations.
– Look-into different MBA programs or graduate programs that match your interests and goals. Consider factors like program reputation, location, curriculum, and faculty expertise.
– Review the admission requirements for the programs you’re interested in. Typically, you’ll need to submit transcripts, standardized test scores (e.g., GMAT or GRE), letters of recommendation, and a personal statement.
– If required, start preparing for standardized tests early. Take practice exams and consider enrolling in a test prep course if needed.
– Reach out to professors or supervisors who can write strong letters of recommendation for you. Provide them with your resume and information about your career goals.
– Craft a compelling personal statement that highlights your experiences, goals, and why you’re interested in the program. Tailor it to each school you apply to.
– Attend networking events and connect with alumni and current students of the programs you’re interested in. Their insights can provide valuable information.
– Graduate programs can be challenging, so stay committed to your studies and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Seek support from professors and peers when needed
Connect with Ali
Connect with Ali Abuhamdeh at – https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliabuhamdeh/
