You've registered for classes. You've started counting down the days until August 25th. You've even updated your LinkedIn profile with your new graduate school endeavor. Now what? Let me introduce you to...

The Top Five Things To Do Before Classes Start

1. Get your UIC i-card.

Your UIC i-card is your official University ID card. What's great about the i-card is it gives you access to various services and facilities on campus. If access around campus isn't extremely important to you, remember you can always use your i-card for that lucrative, "Student Discount." Discounts at the movies? I think, "Yes!"

To get your i-card, you need two pieces of information:

Your current semester schedule and  a state ID, driver's license, or passport

You can find a copy of your schedule on the Registration and Records Menu, under the Academics tab of my.uic.

Once you have your two pieces of information simply go to the Photo ID Center and say, "Cheese!"

The Photo ID Center is located on both sides of campus:

East Side                                                                           West Side

Student Services Building (SSB)                                  Student Center West (SCW)

Suite 1790                                                                         Room 241

1200 W. Harrison (@ Racine)                                       828 S. Wolcott (@ Polk)
Monday – Friday 8:30 AM -5:00 PM                              Monday – Friday 8:30 AM-4:00 PM
(312) 413-5940                                                               (312) 413-5944

2. Determine how you're getting to class

When it comes to commuting to and from campus students have a couple of different options.

If you're registered as a full-time student you're eligible for the CTA Ventra U-Pass. This awesome pass provides unlimited use of CTA trains and buses during the semester. 

To get your U-Pass just go to the ID-Center and show your i-card. To get more information about the U-Pass Distribution click here.

You may be thinking that you have no use for the U-Pass so why bother, but you'll never know when it might come in handy, and besides the U-Pass program is not optional. All full-time students are assessed the $140 CTA Transportation Fee for each semester. 

If you've decided to drive to campus there are a number of parking options at your disposal. 

Campus Parking Services issue parking permits to students for designated lots. While there are many options, permits are issued on a first-come, first-serve basis. To take a look at permit pricing or to download a permit application click here.

Aside from parking permits there are also cash lots and meter parking available around campus. 

Also, you could bike to class! There are a number of Divvy stations around UIC's campus, as well as over 800 outdoor bike parking spaces. To learn more about biking at UIC click here. 

3.  Learn about CampusCare

CampusCare is the student health benefit program available to eligible students and their covered dependents. Since, health insurance coverage is mandatory for all registered students at UIC ALL students are automatically enrolled into CampusCare when they register for classes, and the $471.00 fee is added to your student account.

If you wish to waive CampusCare or learn more about CampusCare's benefits click here. 

4. Join a Student Organization

One sure fire way to enhance your UIC Liautaud experience is to join a student org, or two, or three. Student orgs offer a great opportunity to socialize and get to know your classmates better. Additionally, student orgs on campus complement the academic programs by offering hands-on leadership and networking opportunities with faculty members, alumni and the business community. For a full listing of UIC Liautaud Student Orgs click here. 

If any of the student orgs spark your interest, I encourage you to attend an event. I promise you won't regret it.

Some of the awesome events hosted by UIC Liautaud Orgs include:

UIC Graduate Marketing Association: Leo Burnett Company Visit

UIC Liautaud Women's  Network: Wine & Cheese Fundraiser

UIC MBA Association: Accenture Information Session

UIC INFORMS: Resume Writing Workshop - Facilitated by Chris Murray, Professional in Staffing and Recruiting and Ed Earl, CIO, Littelfuse. 

5. Stay Connected!

Stay in the know by following UIC Liautaud on social media! 

Facebook 

LinkedIn

Twitter

Calling all UIC Liautaud students! Are you looking to strengthen your resume and give back to the community at the same time? Are you interested in helping a local nonprofit organization streamline its finances, create a new marketing strategy, or even improve its network security? 

Then UIC’s MBA Association InKIND Consulting Program wants you!

The Fall 2014 New Student Orientation was a great success! This year’s orientation not a one, but two day event, starting early Friday morning and going through Saturday afternoon. After a warm welcome from Dean Mikhail and Assistant Dean Mary Clark, students rolled up their sleeves and got down to business.

With four Professional Presence sessions, led by Michael Popowits, Richard Thomas, and Ranjit Souri, students had the opportunity to acquaint themselves with professional presence in a whole new way. Students exercised different ways of making contact and connecting with each other through sharing personal and professional aspirations.

In between Professional Presence sessions, students also met their respective graduate program director, as well as participated in professional development sessions conducted by the staff of Liautaud’s ever-growing Business Career Center.

During the first day of orientation many students were exposed to business cases for the first time. Leading this introduction to the infamous business case was none other than Professor Mark Shanley. Professor Shanley helped to take the bite out of the business case through his “How to Crack a Case” workshop. With the help of the Professional Presence sessions and the “How to Crack a Case” workshop students were ready to crack their first case of business school, provided by Ernst & Young.

After breaking off into teams, students worked to crack their case and develop a strategy to present their efforts to a panel of judges, consisting of honorable UIC Liautaud alumni and Ernst & Young representatives, on Saturday. After a day of presenting and learning more about student life at UIC Liautaud, students waited patiently as the winners of the case competition were announced.

The winning teams included:

Team Purple Line Christopher Swan, Seshadri Karthick, Hanharan Karur Subramanian,

Peter Jimenez, Jason Garcia

Team McCormick Place - Ambika Garg, Subramaniam Palghat Balasubramanian

Team Millennium Park - Angela Chinino, Kevan Citta, Sai Dheeraj Illendula,

Vignesh Ramakrishnan, Sigma Satabdhi, Sade Stokes

Team Midway Airport - Kumaran Anbalagan, Deesha Kulkarni, Nicholas Marsteller,

Joyce Omoigui, Shrenik Sheth

Team O'Hare Airport - Anki Agrawal, Kyle Hempel, Hrishikesh Kotwal, Amanda Long,

Pravesh Halady Shenoy

Team Magnificent Mile - Teresa Blahnik, Siddhartha Gadiraju, Natalie Payer,

Yuechen Wang

Team Water Tower - Nisanth Ayyagari, Sri Manikanth Duggirala, Karthikeyan Venugopal

Team Orange Line - Michael Hart, Neelanshu Kothari, Sarthik Shan, Xu Zhifu

Promptly following the announcement of the winning teams everyone headed over to Jak’s Tap, a popular meeting place for Liautaud students, thus completing the inauguration of the Fall 2014 incoming class.

We are excited to have everyone on campus and impressed with what we’ve seen so far, you are an amazing class with great potential!

Liautaud Women's Network is starting our second year as a club on campus.  We inspire, support and connect women, helping them define and reach their career goals.  For the 2014 school year, we have planned monthly meet-and-greet coffee gatherings as well as other networking events off campus.  In the fall semester, we are gathering a panel of experts on how successful women promote themselves on the job.  If you would like to be more involved, we are always looking for volunteers to help with single events.  Find us on Facebook here and on LinkedIn, or stop by at one of our events.  

Our first event of the year is a networking happy hour for Liautaud students, faculty, staff, and alumni at the UIC Innovation Center on Monday, September 22 from 5:30pm to 7:00pm. Stay tuned for more details!

We hope to see you soon!

Join our group on LinkedIn: UIC Liautaud Women's Network 

On behalf of the UIC MBA Association, it is our pleasure to welcome you to the Liautaud Graduate School of Business!

The MBA Association is committed to enhancing the MBA experience for our members. Our goals revolve around: 

• Providing opportunities for students to grow their network, both within UIC Liautaud and with the Chicago business community
• Providing community service opportunities
• Providing professional development opportunities 

We have some fun events planned this semester. To see the Fall 2014 event calendar click here. The membership fee to join MBAA is $30, and covers both fall and spring semester. With your membership you receive business cards, professional headshots, and reduced admission at MBAA sponsored events. Membership fees can be paid by cash to MBAA Treasurer Matt Medinger  or paypal.

If you're looking to get involved, we are currently looking for a student to sit on the MBAA board as Secretary. Interested students should email lgsbmbaa@uic.edu for more information.

Also, don't forget to check out MBAA'sInKIND consulting program. InKIND pairs teams of students to work with non-profits on a given issue to better understand and help solve a strategic issue or growth opportunity at the nonprofit. Participation in the InKIND consulting program is a great opportunity to gain real world consulting experience and help strengthen a nonprofit organization. For more information on InKIND click here. 

We're excited to meet everyone!

 Cory F. Cooper

MBA 2004, Finance and Entrepreneurship

Current Employer: Citibank

Pre-Degree Field of Work: Marketing

Post-Degree Field Work: Finance

Undergraduate Degree:  B.S. in Marketing
Undergraduate Institution:  Saint Xavier University

Organization Involvement:  National Association of Health Services Executives, Coalition of African American Leaders, Art Institute of Chicago and Museum of Contemporary Art

How did you get your current position?

I was tapped by a good friend of mine who owns a recruiting firm that specialized in placing talent in the banking sector.  Executive Pro Search (shameless plug)

What is your current job title and responsibilities?

I am a Private Banker at Citi I see myself as a quarter back; I help affluent families clarify their strategy for managing their wealth and then I bring the knowledge, people, and ideas together to help them execute their strategy.  To date I have roughly 200 clients.

What is a typical day like?

There is no typical day, which is why I like it.  I am an advisor, a psychologist, a coach, a friend, and a teammate; ultimately I find solutions for my clients and help them execute them.   A large portion of my time is spent interacting with clients, engaging processes, and finding ways to become more deeply involved in social circles and communities.

How did your UIC Liautaud degree help you accomplish your career goals?

UIC Liautaud gave me exposure to the intricate world of finance. The program helped me to see the possibilities in this space and gave me the chance to sample different aspects of the field.  Ultimately, UIC gave me perspective.  I studied beside a lot of smart people, people from every corner of the world, and I realized that business was truly global and I began to think in global terms.  I made some great friendship at UIC, people whom are still in my life today.   

What courses have proved to be the most valuable to you in your work?

I really learned something valuable in every course.  Learning was just not about what was in the text books, it was about working in teams, it was about relationship building, and it was about personal development.  Every class impacted me in a positive way.

Are there any courses that you did not take that you wish you could have?

I wish I would have taken more accounting courses.  The accounting program is phenomenal and those skills can be used in so many ways.  

What were the keys to your career advancement?

In whatever you do and wherever you decide to do it, the common denominator will always be people.  People are your greatest resource and you have to be intentional in building relationships, you have to be willing to step outside of the circles you feel comfortable in and meet new people.  You can never stop building relationships, relationships are the fuel of your ambitions and you have to continuously fill up or you will one day find yourself stranded on the side of the road with your thumbs up, hoping for someone to stop and pick you up.   The two biggest mistakes I see people make are only thinking about relationships when they need something and never building relationships beyond the people they feel most comfortable with and people whom ultimately share your views and likes.    

What do you find unique about your career field?

Finance is an intimate business; you are dealing with real people, their families, their dreams, their motives, their fears and ultimately their lives.   There is a healthy mix of left and right brain activities, you have to be a logical analyst with the ability to analyze risk, but you also have to exercise a high level of Emotional Intelligence.  Winning a client’s trust is challenging, but nothing feels better then helping people achieve their goals.  The only way to achieve your goals is to help others achieve their goals; in my business we have the opportunity to do that every day, and its exciting.

What part of this job do you personally find most satisfying? Most challenging?

Having the opportunity to help real people solve real problems is what I find most satisfying.  The biggest challenge is that there is a lot of rejection in my business, it is hard to earn someones trust, especially when you are working in an industry that carries a historical stigma.  When I tell people that I am a banker I sometimes get some interesting reactions.  The best reaction to date is “So you are the reason we are in a recession?”

Are you involved with any charitable organizations? If yes, which organizations and in what ways are you involved?

I am proud to be the new President of the Business Alumni Association; I think we have some interesting opportunities.  My wife and I started the Cooper Family Project four years ago, where we are working with under-exposed CPS students.  I have a passion for art and am a serious collector and serve on committees at the Art Institute of Chicago and the Museum of Contemporary Art.  I am also involved with the Association of Health Service Executives and the Coalition of African American Leaders.  

We're excited to start a new semester at UIC Liautaud, and we have a variety of events planned that we hope to see everyone at! 

If you're still on the fence about MBAA, or want to learn more about our upcoming events, we encourage you to attend our general meeting before class on September 8th at 5:30pm. At the general meeting we will provide a general overview of this year's event calendar, as well as taking suggestions for future events. 

If you would like to join MBAA, the membership fee is $30 and covers both fall and spring semester. With your membership you receive business cards, a professional headshot, and reduced admission at MBAA sponsored events. Membership fees can be paid via paypal. 

**If you are a returning MBAA member there is not a renewal membership fee**

GMARK (Graduate Marketing Association) is committed to providing opportunities for Liautuad students to network professionally and develop marketing skills. GMARK is excited about the various social, professional development, and volunteer events that it will be offering to Liautaud students this year. There is no membership fee to join the organization and members do not have to be marketing students. Marketing is a broad term; however, it is important for all students to learn how to market themselves, create a personal brand, and possibly become a social asset to an organization.

Join GMARK today by emailing us. We will be more than happy to add you to our mailing list!

• New or current Graduate Marketing Association member
• This position is a year-long position and must be filled for the academic year (fall through spring); the person in this role should therefore not be a December graduate
• Required to attend the annual review training/seminars sponsored by Campus Programs.
• Responsible for reviewing and working with President to approve or deny all budget proposals.
• Accounts for all financial transactions within the GMARK budget.  Must maintain legible records of all financial transactions occurring during their term in office.
• Handles and documents all money collected from GMARK activities, works with LGSB staff to deposit funds or coordinate payments when necessary, and handles and documents all materials related to reimbursements.
• Manages organization’s COF account and all payments/purchases
• Develops and executes GMARK fundraising activities

Upcoming Events:

Join MBAA and GMARK Sept. 14 for a Goose Island Brewery Tour. Learn about the inner workings of Goose Island while networking and sampling tasty brews.

Tickets are sure to go fast, buy yours today!

MBAA members can get tickets using the following link: http://bit.ly/1wiRgYt...
Tickets are $5.00 for members.

Non-MBAA members can get tickets using the following link: http://bit.ly/VPNe8M
Tickets are $10.00 for non-members.

 

 

  

 

 

Subramani Ramkumar

Full-time MS-MIS Candidate 2014

Field of Work: Healthcare IT

Undergraduate Degree: Computer Science and Engineering

Undergraduate School: New Horizon College of Engineering, Bangalore, India

Career Goal: To be an entrepreneur in the field of Healthcare IT.

How did you find your internship?

I applied to the position listing on the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association career portal. In a couple of weeks, I got a call from the HR associate asking me to come in for an interview. In the face-to-face interview, I got a sense of the role's responsibilities and what I stood to learn from the experience and their expectations of me. When I got the call a couple of days later, I gladly accepted.

Did you receive any help from the Business Career Center in finding your internship?

Yes, I received significant assistance from the Business Career Center in landing this internship. In the start of the internship hunt, I had meetings with Justin Lall and James Brown who helped me create a polished resume that would catch the eye of a recruiter. I also got help in terms of information about interview tips, how to follow-up with interviewers, and how to stay connected with different points-of-contacts at various companies.

Did you have multiple internship offers?

Yes, I did have multiple offers. I had an offer for the role of a Web Analyst at The Plum Tree Group and the role of a Business Analyst at Jeppenson – a Boeing Company to go along with the offer as an Operations Intern at Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

What factor(s) did you consider when choosing to accept your internship offer?

It was a tough decision to make – to choose between the offers I had.  Ultimately what helped me was my inherent interest in working in the healthcare domain especially in today’s time, when providing healthcare services of highest quality is of great importance. This led me to choose Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. I felt that the opportunity to work with the biggest force in the healthcare domain is something I couldn't pass up. The role promised that I would have a chance to put to test my existing skill set whilst acquiring new skills, as well.

What are your responsibilities at your internship?

As an intern on the Operations team at Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, I am currently working on a project to enhance the performance of their Geospatial services. The goal is to improve the time taken by a customer to find the nearest Blue location based on their location. I have the opportunity to work on cutting edge tools such as Rational Application Development, Oracle, and SAS to understand and analyze the current application and seek to improve it in the future.

What do you like most about your internship?

The greatest learning from this internship thus far is the opportunity to learn how Corporate America runs! Having worked in India before this was a significant and pleasant shift in work culture. I am given an opportunity to test the skills I learnt in the last year at UIC through the top-notch curriculum. At the same time, I am eager to learn new skills on the fly that bolster my profile.

What has been the most valuable lesson you've learned at your internship, thus far?

The most significant lesson I have learned thus far is that hard work always gets its due. When I was assigned a project that I didn't have too much knowledge in, I faced a few hurdles, but with each hurdle I came to recognize how determined and motivated I could keep myself in the quest of accomplishing the task at hand. Eventually, when I did finish the task assigned, there was recognition given by my mentor all the way up to the Director of Operations. This kind of reinforcement really made me and my work feel appreciated.

Do you have a mentor at your internship? If you do, what has been the most valuable piece of advice you've received?

Yes, I do have a mentor at Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Ayesha is a wonderful mentor who helped me right from day one. She helped with me all the little things involved helping me get settled in, to guiding me to the various avenues of knowledge that I can use to enhance my understanding of the application.

The most important piece of advice she shared with me is the idea that anything can be done. The knowledge or experience working on a particular domain is secondary to having a keen interest to learn and the desire to seek help from those who have significant experience. If I do these two things right, any obstacle can be overcome and any goal can be accomplished. 

Taking a break from studying, members of the Liautaud Graduate Marketing Association (GMARK) came together to officially welcome and network with the incoming class at the Karaoke Night Kick-Off Social the second week of classes at Morgan’s Grill in the University Village.

This was a wonderful chance  to meet new friends, mingle with students from class, have fun, and enjoy food and drinks while singing our hearts out.

It was a successful start to the new school year. There was an awesome turnout with plenty of fun filled conversations that made the evening lovely & memorable. Everyone is already looking forward to the next bash. 

Be sure to check out GMARK events this fall!

Learn more about GMARK's upcoming Fall Semester activities at our GMARK Facebook page here!

Earlier this month we kicked-off the 2014 Fall Semester with a brewery tour of Goose Island. 

 Michelle Plasz

Part-time MBA Candidate 2015

Concentration:IDS

Field of work: Purchasing and Supply Chain Management

Undergraduate Degree In: Communications

Undergraduate School: DePaul University

Career Goal: Supply Chain/ Procurement

Organizations Involved With: Liautaud Women’s Network, MBAA

Interests/Hobbies:  I used to cook professionally and now enjoy entertaining friends and family often.  Before going back to school, I used to read and knit.  During football season, you will find me watching the Colts, and during the summer I am at the lake as much as possible.

Favorite Chicago Activities/ Places:  Museum of Science and Industry, Wicker Park

Favorite Chicago Restaurants: Eleven City Diner, Avec

Favorite Part of the Day: I know it sounds silly, but I love my commute on the train.  It’s the perfect time to get caught up with emails, with friends, read a magazine, and listen to music.  I have a 2 year old and a 4 year old, so I don’t get a lot of quiet time.

Hometown:  I grew up in Indianapolis, IN, but live in Highland Park now.

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Tell us about your personal and professional background? 

I grew up in Indianapolis, IN, but visited Chicago frequently and always knew I would live here.  Much of my career was spent in the hospitality industry starting in restaurants then moving to director of purchasing for a luxury hotel.  I had just gotten a promotion to do the purchasing on new hotel openings when 9/11 happened three weeks later, and there were no new hotels to open.  After a lot of soul-searching, I decided to move back to Chicago and open a prepared meals business.  Two years later, my business reached the point where I needed to take on a partner and expand into a commercial space, but I was really burned out from working 100+ hour weeks.  While I looked for a partner, I took a job in international purchasing and ended up really enjoying that field.  I audited factories in Asia, imported furniture and bedframe parts, and spent much of my time working on the supply chain management’s IT systems.  Once I had children, I switched to procurement consulting for small businesses as well as my former employer.

What prompted you to return to school to achieve your master’s degree? 

I am very aware of the closed doors that some women have faced when re-entering the workforce after taking an extended maternity leave.  Earning an MBA is a way to increase my business knowledge, expand my network, and open doors when I am ready to re-enter the workforce.  

What factor(s) did you consider when choosing a master’s program and why did you choose UIC Liautaud for your graduate study?

The most important thing for me is the ability to get a great job when I graduate.  I studied placement statistics very carefully and matched them to the tuition, and I realized UIC was clearly the best value for me. 

We all know that people pursue graduate school to increase their business knowledge, but since you have started the program, what has been the most unexpected gain the program has given you?

Before kids I worked crazy hours and always felt stressed, but I have learned to not confuse being busy with being stressed.  Four days a week I am a full-time mom, which leaves three days for my job as a TA, studying, and attending classes.  I have learned that procrastination equals defeat, and how to manage my stress levels.  Finding a way to achieve work-life balance is the only way that I can give my best to my job and to those who are counting on me at home.

Which professor has been your favorite thus far and why? 

Professor Deberry-Spence is my favorite.  Initially, she inspired me because she is a successful working mom and I’m craving that in a role model right now.  Then I became impressed with her great sense of humor, which carries her through any situation with grace.  Finally, and most importantly, I am so moved by her passion for her work in Africa.  So few people in life find a way to apply their talents in a way that helps others like she has.

What is your favorite aspect of the UIC campus and why?

I love the diversity of the students and the faculty.  I have been drawn to living in cities because of the melting of cultures, religions, and political beliefs, and UIC embodies this more than any other school I have seen.

What advice would you provide to incoming UIC Liautaud students? 

Part of going to grad school is learning to manage time constraints, group dynamics, and stress.  Learning these skills now will make you a better manager, and it is part of why you are here.  My other piece of advice is to take Economics and Accounting before you take Finance.

Do you have an elevator speech?

My elevator speech relates to a question that I am frequently asked, “Why did you quit cooking to take up purchasing?”  Here is my answer:  Cooking is great and my favorite hobby, but hospitality employees work every night, every weekend, and every holiday.  I love purchasing.  I love the variety of projects that I have worked on, from building a wine cellar at a luxury hotel to bidding out a project for 35 containers of grocery carts.  There is always a way to save more money, build a better relationship, design better quality, get the product faster, and find something new to sell.  It is my passion.

Is there anything you wish we would have asked you, that we did not and you wish to share with students?

I am also a Teaching Assistant for an undergraduate management class. I would really encourage MBA students to consider being a TA, as I have enjoyed my experience.  First, I really enjoy working with Professor Thompson.  He has taught me a lot about coaching and encouraging employees just by setting a good example.  Second, the tuition break has been very helpful.  Finally, I really enjoy learning more about the undergraduate students.  They are a hard-working bunch who juggle so much to fit school in, especially the veterans.  The job inspires me to put more energy into my studies and connect more with other students.

What is the best part about your UIC Liautaud experience?

Even the classes that I dread taking have been great.  I wanted nothing to do with Finance 500, but Randy Adams’ class was great even if the homework took me 10 hours a week (sometimes longer).  I always knew that employees of a corporation were working for the shareholder, but we learned about agency problems and the responsibilities corporations have to their shareholders.  I learned a whole new way of looking at investment decisions based on the knowledge I gained in his class. I know I will make better decisions in my career because of the new perspective I gained.

Dear Friends,

I'm writing to you to describe my experience here at UIC Liautaud. I came from across the seas to the United States from my home country, India, for higher education. While working at IBM, I realized the need to understand business and management in more depth. My specific interest in UIC Liautaud was the opportunity to learn strategic management and product development in greater detail. So I chose UIC Liautaud among all the college admits I had received. My experience was amazing at UIC Liautaud and I feel every moment of my time was worth it. The college is situated in the heart of Chicago, which gives every student countless opportunities when it comes to getting a relevant experience through internships. Being an international student, I found the standard of the education, projects, and assignments, were at a global level and certainly not limited to only theoretical study. As my concentration was Marketing, I took the Interdisciplinary Product Development with Professor Spanjol, whom I think is one of the best professors I've had in my entire life. The best thing about my IPD experience was the real time knowledge while working with companies like Dunkin' Donuts and Morningstar. All the projects, course material, and certainly the classes themselves, helped me to not only get management knowledge, but also to grow as an individual.

So some people assume that getting an internship or full-time opportunity is difficult as an international student. However, I think my UIC Liautaud experience made me confident and more eligible to get any job of my interest and passion.
I spent about a year working with a small marketing firm in Chicago as an intern, and I obtained a Product Marketing Manager position at Workiva, formerly Webfilings, even before my graduation.

I had a smooth experience throughout my study and education at UIC Liautaud. I would also like to mention that often students miss career and social events, but all theses immensely helped me to build a strong network inside and outside UIC. The flexible classes, huge library, and extremely qualified professors have helped me to grow more. The career help was very laudable. Both Jeff and James helped me in resume building, job application tips, career events, and also in mock interviews. 

So my intention of sharing my experience is to tell people that the quality and reputation of my MBA in Marketing is demonstrated  to me everyday, and  as I reflect on my UIC Liautaud experience I have no regrets.
 

Proud to be UIC!

Regards,
Sholanki Sarkar, MBA 2014
​
 

As the Domestic Spring 2015 application deadline approaches, I would like to share some tips that will help you with the application process.

The Spring 2015 application deadline for domestic applicants is November 1, 2014. You can complete the online application now. Our application consists of the Apply Yourself application, the UIC Supplemental application, and the $60 application fee. Please note, when you are directed to the UIC Supplemental application, you will have to create a new user account since this is a different system. You must submit both applications, and the fee, for your application to be considered complete.

After you submit your application, you can log back in to your Apply Yourself application at any time to upload additional documents, and to check your status. You only need to submit documents that are listed as “not received.” Applicants have a one month grace period to upload test scores and documents, which are due December 1, 2014.

Our application process is paperless, so applicants must use the upload buttons in the application to submit their documents electronically. Please do not mail or fax copies of transcripts or academic records to our office. You will only be asked to submit Official sealed transcripts to the University Office of Admissions once you are admitted. Most students submit these during their first semester on campus.

If you haven’t already attended an Information Session, I would like to invite you to join us at our next one, on Wednesday, October 15 at 6PM in the Innovation Center. Our Assistant Dean, Mary Clark, and our Assistant Director of Admissions, Colette Armes, will present the programs we offer, discuss admissions information, and answer your questions. We will also have current students on hand to offer their perspective and answer your questions about the programs.

REGISTER HERE!

Please feel free to email me if you have any questions. I look forward to working with you!

Parin Chopda
Full-time MS-MIS 2015

Industry: Information Technology

Undergraduate Degree In: Bachelors of Technology (Computer Science)

Undergraduate School: Symbiosis Institute of Technology, Symbiosis International University (Pune, India)

Career Goal: To work as an Information Systems professional leveraging my technical knowledge and business analysis skills acquired through MIS curriculum, course projects and previous work experience. 

I applied on the Careers website of Motorola Solutions, Inc. in the first week of January and got an interview call in February. I was interviewed by Oliver Griengl-Schott (Director, Global Services and Supplier Management) and Meet Mehta (Sr. Analyst). They offered me the internship within a week after the interview. 

Did you receive any help from the Business Career Center in finding your internship?  (Examples would be: referrals, coaching, interviewing tips, etc.)
Justin Lall from BCC helped me streamline my resume and gave vital tips to help me prepare myself better for interviews. He advised me to modify my resume based on the roles that I’m was applying to.

What factor(s) did you consider when choosing to accept your internship offer?

• Reputation of the organization
• My hiring manager explained the role and project details in advance
• Future prospects 

What are your responsibilities at your internship?

I’m a part of the ‘IT Sourcing’ team as a ‘Business Analyst’ in the ‘Global Services and Supplier Management’ department. Currently, I’m working on 2 projects concurrently: 

Leveraging the previously used ‘Vendor Scorecard’, optimizing it and creating a new process to evaluate the performance of the suppliers at Motorola Solutions from IT Services, IT Software and IT Infrastructure verticals. Using the scorecard results, I’m classifying the suppliers into a ‘Category Matrix.'

Redesigning the Intranet portal of the ‘Global Services and Supplier Management’ department to facilitate collaboration between the team members on various projects.

What do you like most about your internship?
I get to work with various key IT stakeholders from the Services, Software and Infrastructure verticals on a daily basis who choose the key suppliers for Motorola Solutions. My mentor and manager have always been open regarding changes in the currently used business processes and it was satisfying when the recommendations suggested by me were accepted and incorporated. Additionally, Human Resources organizes something called ‘Lunch & Learn’ sessions on a regular basis, wherein various key stakeholders of the company talk about the latest trends, which Motorola has been incorporating. So far, we have had sessions with Juliann Larimer, VP North America Marketing and Jennifer Roberts, Director North America Operations. Next week, Human Resources has arranged a one on one, half an hour session, with Eduardo Conrado, Senior VP Marketing and IT, and I’m looking forward to it.

What has been the most valuable lesson you’ve learned at your internship, thus far?
 Be ready to embrace change, get constructive feedback and network proactively. 

Do you have a mentor at your internship? If you do, what has been the most valuable piece of advice you’ve received?
Yes, Meet Mehta who is also an UIC alumnus (MBA, Batch of 2012). He keeps telling to be curious about any project that I get to work on, research thoroughly in advance and not to get disappointed if my work doesn’t get approved even though I put my best efforts. The needs of IT and Business stakeholders are usually different and the solution/ project submitted will not always be approved. It took me 4 iterations before the work was finally approved. 

The University of Illinois at Chicago Liautaud Graduate School of Business student-led non-profit consulting program, InKIND, which is being sponsored by the MBA Association, kicked off its 3rd year this semester. Select groups of students will work in teams with a non-profit, on a given issue to better understand and help solve a strategic issue or growth opportunity at the non-profit.

On the last Saturday of September, MBA, MSA, and MIS students participating in the InKIND non-profit consulting program gathered to hone their skills before jumping into a semester-long project with a Chicago nonprofit. The training day consisted of sessions led by previous InKIND participants that provided teams with a common language, understanding, and jumping off point for their work solving a local problem.

A presentation of non-profits in the U.S. kicked off the training. Students learned the role that non-profits play in the US economy, the depth and breadth of the non-profit sector, and what different actors are involved in the sector.  Additionally, students received an overview in consulting, that outlined the consulting industry, engagement, and the critical role that data gathering plays in consulting. Students were introduced to the idea of asking questions that  get to the root issues of a problem and sinking deeper into the data of a problem to determine an adequate a starting place.

Finally, the groups received Project Management training. Groups learned about the importance of dividing up roles and responsibilities, time lining out a project, and the soft skills of client management.

The training ended with the students outlining plans for the rest of the semester, establishing structure for their groups, and leaving with a new tool kit to bring to the nonprofits they are working with.

This year there will be three InKIND Projects:

Illinois Manufacturing Foundation

Team Members:  Andrew Barnette, Steve Collins, Matthew Lewellen, Joyce Omoigu, Shrenik Sheth

Project Overview: Development marketing strategy that incorporates social media and addresses at least two of IMF’s market segments.

Care for Real

Team Members:  Nisanth Ayyagari, Kevin Bainbridge, Jordan Corp, Christopher Micks

Project Overview: To expand Care for Real service boundaries to 

meet a need in the community for their programs, with consideration for the impact an expansion will have on their operations.

UIC College of Dentistry

Team Members: Calvin Castelino, Ben Hoffman, Ashwin Iyer, Subramani Ramkumar

Project Overview: Identify ways to effectively communicate with its alumni network, and to establish a social media presence.

MS in MIS 2012

Current Employer: Google

Pre-Degree Field of Work: IT & Telecommunications

Post-Degree Field of Work: Sustainability & EHS Software Solutions

Undergraduate Degree: Bachelors in Computer Engineering
Undergraduate Institution: University of Mumbai

Why did you return to school to obtain your graduate degree?

After completing my Bachelor Degree in Computer Engineering, I worked with Tech Mahindra - British Telecom for close to two years as a B2B XML Designer.

My day-to-day activities involved working with various stakeholders to discuss business goals and how technology could be used to achieve them. This soon fueled my alacrity to dive deeper into analyzing business problems and understanding how to solve them using technology. I soon realized there was a whole lot of analysis that goes with it and several different things to consider. What's more, reading books on my own wasn't enough, but I thought getting a Master degree would give me more exposure to all these areas.

I started by looking at courses and narrowed down my search to Master's of Science in Management Information Systems. Once I had this in mind, I started looking at universities and finalized on UIC Liautaud, as it not only offered extensive theoretical knowledge, but also practical knowledge in both Business and Technology. Additionally, the faculty was very knowledgeable and included a variety of industry experts.

Why did you choose UIC Liautaud?

When I was looking at universities, I did not just go by rankings, but considered several different criteria like:

Coursework & Faculty– I was looking for something that would give me immense knowledge on business and technical subjects.  Also, the faculty included many industry experts and guest speakers.

Practical Knowledge- At UIC, students get a chance to work on projects with companies as a part of the coursework, as well as internship opportunities.

Location – UIC is in the heart of the city surrounded by Chicago’s financial hub, meaning more companies, more connections, more job opportunities.

Which course or professor was your favorite and why?

IDS 515 – Information Systems Strategy & Management was my favorite course and it was taught by Professor Ranganathan Chandrasekaran. This course involved theoretical knowledge, in-class case studies from Harvard Business Review, a project with industries in various domains - for example, Healthcare and many more. As a part of the project, I worked with one of the leading PHO’s in Chicago. This course perfectly aligned with my interest, as I was looking for extensive classroom training, and hands on experience in solving real complex problems with industries. The course changed the way I started looking at problems and encouraged me to come up with multiple solutions. 

Tell us a little about your post MS-MIS professional background and how you arrived at your current position?

Soon after I graduated from UIC in December 2012, I started working with Enablon North America Corporation in Downtown Chicago at the Willis Tower. Enablon is a leader in EHS & sustainability software solutions. Also, it is ranked # 1 by Verdantix & Gartner in the green quadrant. I worked there for a year and half as a Software Analyst with the Professional Services Team. I was involved in E2E Project Life Cycle where my main focus was software customization and configuration to cater to client needs.

After Enablon, I got an offer from Google and am now working as a Business Systems Integrator at the Mountain View, California office.

What is your job title and responsibilities at Google?

I am a Business Systems Integrator. I partner with internal business teams to define business processes and innovate solutions for performance improvement. Part of my process also requires that I define requirements and designs for system integration with various internal systems. I am also responsible for identifying opportunities to leverage Google’s internal platforms and products to cater to business needs. 

My job requires my participation in system implementation projects (documentation, systems configuration, test documentation/execution, change management, training). I also, plan, prioritize, and deliver systems enhancements.

How did your UIC Liautaud degree help you accomplish your career goals?

Three things that helped me to get closer to my career goals were:

Coursework – At UIC the course structure is very flexible, I could pick and choose my courses, the academic counselors are of great help as they will help you chalk out your course structure keeping in mind your interests and concentration. I could get a taste of many different sectors like Finance, Healthcare, Consulting, and IT and then decide as to which domain I want to concentrate in.

Faculty & Informs – The UIC faculty includes many industry experts along with visiting guest faculty to give us insights on the latest news in various industries. Informs is really active and they invite a lot of companies including the Big 4 to talk about their hiring process and current positions that they are looking to fill.

Internship Opportunities – There are several career fairs at UIC that helped me connect directly with the recruiters. I built valuable contacts that gave me firsthand information on what their hiring committees were looking for.

What courses have proved to be the most valuable to you in your work?

Capstone project & IDS 512 have proved to be the most valuable to me in my work.

The capstone project gave me an opportunity to work with YMCA of Metro Chicago where I got exposure in E2E Project Life cycle. We, as a team, helped the organization in their ways of data collection, analyzing the collected data, and dynamically creating data visualizations to interpret that data and coming up with valuable insights in improving performance  to achieve organizational excellence.

IDS 512 Information Systems Project and Program Management gave me exposure to Project Management. I got an in-depth knowledge of various aspects of project management like budget, schedule, effort (estimates), resource planning, writing various project artifacts, analyzing complex projects, reasons for their failures or success, and presenting your analysis to an audience.

Are there any courses that you did not take that you wish could have?

I wish I had the opportunity to take Introduction to Marketing. While working with the product company Enablon North America Corporation which is a sustainability and EHS software solutions provider, I learned marketing forms one of their most important pillars. It was great to see the various marketing initiatives and their thought process. 

What were the keys to your career advancement?

I have always believed in differentiating myself from the rest. I take special efforts in developing my communication and collaboration skills, and building my network. I always try to keep myself abreast with newer technologies by having open discussions with industry leaders and setting up formal presentations, and I am always open for feedback.

What do you find unique about your career field?

Working in Sustainability Performance Management and EHS Management, I got exposure to a lot of domains like Incident Management, Audits, Compliance, Risk management & GHG (Green House Gas) Effect. Today, nothing is viable. There has been so many social, economic, and environmental changes forcing industries/companies to transform themselves and their processes in order to keep up with these changes. Moreover, there are so many laws and regulations, and companies need to report on the emission limits in order to be compliant. Enablon provides software solution that helps all these companies to report on various aspects of EHS and help them become sustainable. I always wanted to contribute towards helping this planet become sustainable and working in the EHS field makes me feel proud.

Now that you've graduated, what advice do you have for current or prospective Liautaud students?

Dream big. Believe in yourself. Grab opportunities as they come. If they don’t come, then create them. Think outside of the box, and be open to networking as Roberst Kiyosaki the author of Rich Dad Poor Dad correctly says – “ The richest people in the world look for and build networks, while others look for jobs” 

Lastly, some advice that helped me along the way in my career decisions is to enjoy what you are doing. Of course money is important, but getting money out of something that you don’t enjoy is not worth it. Don't just set career or academic goals. Set goals to give yourself a balanced life. Follow your dreams and do what you like.

Always remember, success is not a destination, success is a journey.

 Ariana M. Taylor        

Full-time MBA Candidate 2015 

Concentration(s): Marketing and Finance

Undergraduate Degree: English Studies    

Undergraduate School: Illinois State University

Career Goal: Obtain a position that fully utilizes my marketing and managerial skills

Organizations involved with: UIC GMARK (President), UIC MBA Association, National Black MBA Association, UIC Liautaud Student Ambassador

Internships: American Red Cross Communications Intern, Discovery Communications Social Media Marketing Intern, Target Executive Intern

Favorite Chicago Activities/ Places: I love going to see new movies, working out, and strolling along the lakefront

Favorite Chicago Restaurants: RA Sushi, Hamadas, & Giordanos

Favorite Part of the Day: I love sleeping because I honestly don’t get enough rest

Hometown: Chicago, IL.

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Tell us about your personal and professional background?

I graduated from Illinois State University in May 2013; therefore, I began the MBA program directly following undergrad. Though I have little full-time experience, I have completed various internships in order to experience different professions in Marketing and Management.

What prompted you to return to school to achieve your master’s degree?

After receiving my bachelor’s degree in English Studies, I knew that there was so much more I wanted to learn about the field of Marketing and Business in general. I figured that the best time to enroll in UIC Liautaud’s MBA program would be directly after undergrad while I was still in “school-mode.”

What factor(s) did you consider when choosing a master’s program and why did you choose UIC Liautaud for your graduate study?

When choosing a master’s program, I considered the cost of the program of course, the proximity of the school to my house, the diversity of courses that were offered, and their career resources. Due to the fact that UIC excelled in all of these areas, I chose UIC!

We all know that people pursue graduate school to increase their business knowledge, but since you have started the program, what has been the most unexpected gain the program has given you?

After studying abroad in Brazil, I gained much more knowledge about international business than I expected going into the program. Learning about Brazil’s culture, business organization, economy, infrastructure, and much more allowed me to gain lifelong friends and enhance my resume.

Which class/professor has been your favorite thus far and why?

Professor Popowitz’s class has been my absolute favorite! I am much more confident when attending networking events and interviews because of the improvisation course and the advice that he provided our class with.

UIC Liautaud professors are continuously involved in researching new business trends and innovations. How have you felt the professors have been able to integrate their theoretical knowledge into practical applications? Do you have any examples?

Currently, I am enrolled in Marketing 560 with Professor Vernon Grubisich. He is not only an amazing instructor, but he shares a lot of his personal experiences that are insightful and relevant in class. Recently, we discussed how the marketing of medicine has changed in recent years and some felt that medicine is being marketed directly to consumers now instead of doctors. His scientific research allowed him to elaborate on the trends in the health industry and was greatly integrated into the class discussion.

What is your favorite aspect of the UIC campus and why?

 I love Douglas Hall! It really is a beautiful building and it is comfortable. I usually go to Douglas Hall when I need to study or if I am unsure about my career path.

What advice would you provide to incoming UIC Liautaud students?

I would advise incoming students to ask questions if they are unsure of something. If you don’t want to ask a question in front of the class because you think it’s a stupid question, jot the question down during class and ask the professor after class. I also advise that students do informational interviews to figure out what they really want to do in life.

Many courses require students to complete a project that applies course concepts to real world situations. If you have had a course project that was very insightful, what course was it for and what did you like about the project?

Professor Popowitz course project required students to do something that they feared and to write about it. Well for my project, I booked a flight to Baltimore, Maryland to attend a career fair for Discovery Communications. This project changed my life because after attending that event, I received the social media marketing internship that truly helped me enhance my marketing skills.

Do you have an elevator speech? If so, what is it?

Hi, my name is Ariana Taylor and I am a lifelong intern. (*insert chuckle*) No, but as an MBA candidate that started grad school directly after undergrad, I have successfully completed 4 internships. Truly, I am an innovative leader with a passion for marketing communications and management.

What is the best part about your UIC Liautaud experience?

The best part about my UIC Liautaud experience is being a graduate assistant and engaging with various people in the College of Business daily. I enjoy the many networking events that Liautaud offers and the pleasant staff members. 

There is a new deadline date for prospective PhD applicants for the Fall 2015 term. The online application and application fee of $60 is due on December 15, 2014. You can complete the online application now.

Our application consists of the Apply Yourself application, the UIC Supplemental application, and the $60 application fee. Please note, when you are directed to the UIC Supplemental application, you will have to create a new user account since this a different system. You must submit both applications, and the fee, for your application to be considered complete.

The Apply Yourself application is for the Liautaud Graduate School of Business and is used by the Admissions Committee for departmental review. The UIC Supplemental application is the University application and is used by the University Office of Admissions for University admittance.

After you submit your application, you can log back in at any time to upload additional documents, and to view your status. You only need to submit documents that are listed as “not received.” Applicants have a one month grace period to upload test scores, transcripts, and documents, which are due January 15, 2015. Once you have submitted your UIC Supplemental application, the University Office of Admissions will invite you to log back in and upload required documents to the Supplemental application. Applicants should receive an invitation within four days of submitting their UIC Supplemental application. While this may be slightly redundant for the candidate, it allows us to process applications faster, resulting in admissions decisions.

Listed below are the items required within the online application. All documents must be uploaded to the online application. We do not accept any paper documents.

PhD Application Checklist:

• Completed Online Apply Yourself application
• UIC Supplemental application and non-refundable application fee of $60 (linked from the Apply Yourself application)
• Academic transcripts from all post-secondary institutions
• Official GRE or GMAT (preferred) score (applicants upload a copy of their unofficial score report to the online application)
• Three letters of recommendation (Applicants supply name and email of recommenders in the online application, which will send instructions to the recommenders)
• Personal Statement
• Current Resume
• Writing Sample- Writing samples commonly submitted by PhD applicants include: scholarly papers, an academic thesis, a professional white paper, and published works
• Published works (optional)

Additional Requirements for International Applicants:

• Official TOEFL score (school code 1851) or IELTS score
• Proof of Degree/Degree Certificate for any degree earned

Program Contacts
To learn more about each specific doctoral program, please contact the following faculty advisors:

Dr. Stanley L. Sclove, Business Statistics

Dr. Robert C. Liden, Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management

Dr. Alan J. Malter, Marketing

Dr. Mary Beth Watson-Manheim, Management Information Systems

For any application questions, please feel free to email me for assistance. I look forward to working with you!

Akshay Anand Erapalli

Full-time MS-MIS Candidate 2015

Field of Work: Business Intelligence/Data Analysis

Undergraduate Degree: Mechanical Engineering

Undergraduate School: University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering, Bangalore University

How did you find your internship?

I found my internship through an online job posting. After submitting an online form and resume, I was shortlisted for two interview rounds which were both over the phone, as well as on Skype.

Did you receive any help from the Business Career Center in finding your internship?

I was very proactive from the beginning in my search for an internship and I tried to get all the help I could. The job fairs held at UIC by both the Business Career Center and College of Engineering gave me exposure to various companies and job profiles that I would have liked to apply for.  Also, there were at least two resume review sessions that I remember attending which helped me tighten my resume.

Did you have multiple internship offers?

Yes, I did have multiple offers. In the end, I took the option which had the best job profile.

What factor(s) did you consider when choosing to accept your internship offer?

For me the biggest factor was the job profile and the capacity that I would be working in. As I mentioned earlier, I was very proactive in my search and applied to a lot of places, but I only applied for the positions that I wanted to work in. The name of the company and the pay were not the main deciding factors for me, as gaining experience in the BI/Data Analysis field was my primary focus. Also since the job was in Chicago, I was more than happy to take it up.

What were your responsibilities at your internship?

I worked as a Business Intelligence Project Intern. I worked with an upcoming Business Intelligence tool – IBM Cognos and IBM RAVE. My work primarily revolved around creating data visualizations with the RAVE tool and creating customer reports using Cognos Workspace Advanced.

What did you like most about your internship?

My company gave me the opportunity to explore and work on projects and tools that were completely new to me. I got an opportunity to get exposed to the latest techniques in the world of Business Intelligence and was given the freedom to explore the tools and learn how to use them in different projects. I have already worked in the field of Data Analytics before and the reason behind taking up this position was for me to be able to learn something new in the field. I strongly feel that I have been able to achieve my goal.

What has been the most valuable lesson you’ve learned at your internship?

You are not done with your job till you get it right, no matter how long it takes.

Did you have a mentor at your internship? If you did, what was the most valuable piece of advice you received?

My manager was my mentor at my internship. He was very instrumental in getting my best work out of me. The most valuable piece of advice that he gave me was to always question what we are doing when we work on something and why we are doing it.