Jared Turetsky - Why I chose the Smith MBA

The following is an computer-generated summary of the video transcript.

I'm from Medford, New Jersey and I'm a proud second year NBA candidate at the robert H smith School of Business. I'm humbled and honored to be sitting before you to tell you a little bit about myself and my background that led to enrolling in smith In August of 2019. Now this journey has flown by and I'm a huge believer in the idea of self reflection and showing gratitude for where you've come and sort of where you're going. Um but to tell you a little bit about my journey, it really starts in my professional background prior to business school. So before smith I spent about five years in research and development as a food scientist, the food and beverage industry, and I worked on projects um for clients all over the country, from concept to commercialization and I absolutely loved what I did. In addition to that, um I was a soldier in the Army Reserves, focusing on civil affairs and humanitarian assistance. So as I progressed through my professional career, um I realized I kind of like spending a little bit more time with clients and getting ideas off the ground and project management. Now that's not to say I didn't love being in the lab, but there was something really exciting about seeing a client's eyes light up when you help them reach the finish line on launching a project. So I knew that when I needed to do to pivot my career um because I had aspirations in more brand management strategy, project management, um I needed an M. B. A. To really grow my business acumen um to take everything to the next level. Now, in addition to this, the army also presented me an opportunity with the National Scholarship for two years of graduate school. So I was really excited about where I could go and where I could take this. While I knew I wanted an NBA, the challenge for me was, well, where do I pursue, Where do I start? There are so many good business schools and so many good NBA programs that offer a lot. I ultimately chose the smith School of Business for a couple reasons among many. Uh, the first is that there was an immense diversity of thought. Um, I had a bit of an impression with some programs that there was a certain type of student that they're looking for. Um, you know, a certain type of background, a certain type of experience. What I loved about smith is that I wasn't the most unique person there. Now I kind of thought I would be, but I really wasn't. There were so many individuals with so many different unique backgrounds that I would meet my cohort that really made this experience. Um And two is that not only were they supportive um of offering me the resources and the classes to help me pivot my career into more brand management and marketing and strategy. Um but they really supported me in my additional pursuit, which is to become an officer in the United States Army Reserve because in addition to my business school studies, which take up a lot of my time, I'm also in the RGC program at the University of Maryland and this gives a duality to my NBA experience. It's really unique and it's it's really fun but it definitely keeps me busy and I know that success, success in your career doesn't happen alone. So if you're looking for a program that doesn't just enroll you and then say okay we'll see at the finish line. One that really caters and appreciate every aspect of your NBA journey and the things that make you unique, that's not a burden to them. It enhances the program and enhances the people around you. So if that's what you're looking for and you're looking for an environment that's thought provoking, um it's challenging. The smith School of Business I think is the right choice for you.