MBA Candidate 2010
Part-Time Student
Concentration(s): Finance
Industry/Field of Work: Consulting
Undergraduate Degree: Finance
Undergraduate Institution: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Career Goal: Undecided
Club or Committee Involvement: Chartered Financial Analyst Institute, Chartered Financial Analyst Society of Chicago, CFA Society of Chicago - Finance Advisory Group, Student Ambassador, MBAA President
E-mail: rwostrat@uic.edu
Why did you return to school to obtain your MBA?
Just like many young people in corporate America, I have gone through a couple of job changes. I have always known that the field of finance is where I want to be, but the exact area of finance that I want to work in for the rest of my life is something I am still trying to figure out. I know that when my time here at UIC is done, I will have a much better idea of where I want my career path to go.
What were the most important factors for you when choosing an MBA program?
The financial aspect of pursuing an MBA was a large factor in my decision, as was class structure (semesters vs. quarters) and location.
We all know that people pursue an MBA to increase their business knowledge. Since starting the UIC Liautaud MBA program, what has been the most unexpected gain the experience has given you?
It has really changed the way that I look at how a business is run. When I analyzed companies before I got to the Liautaud Graduate School of Business, I took each part of a company and broke it down. I would look at things like sales, marketing and product development as their own separate area of the business. I am now able to look at a company and effectively see how all of the different aspects of the business affect each other, not just how they work on their own.
Which course or professor has been your favorite thus far and why?
Professor Mark Shanley - MBA 500: Corporate Strategy. Before taking this class, I don't think I have ever had a professor that truly seemed passionate about what they do. All you have to do is sit in on one of Professor Shanley's classes and you can tell that he is the type of guy that truly cares about the topics he lectures on. During my undergraduate degree, I would find it difficult to pay full attention to my professor for a 50-minute class. Professor Shanley spoke for over two hours during every class and he had my attention the entire time.
What is your favorite aspect of the UIC Liautaud MBA program or the Liautaud Graduate School of Business?
I really enjoy the fact that UIC maintains such a great campus atmosphere. There's something about walking around the quad with other students and grabbing a cup of coffee in the student cafeteria that sets it apart from other schools.
If you were to come up with a tagline for the Liautaud MBA, what would it be?
"Your future, our guidance."
What advice would you provide to incoming UIC Liautaud MBA students?
If you are going into the part-time program because you have a full-time job, make sure you are fully committed to the decision. It is a tough challenge to balance work with school, and there are certain sacrifices that have to be made. There will be significant changes in your work life, family life, and social life; be sure you can handle them.
