MBA Candidate 2009
Part-time Student
Concentration(s): Entrepreneurship
Industry/Field of Work: Industrial Equipment & Components, Sales
Graduate Degree: Mechanical Engineering
Graduate Institution: Bradley University
Career Goal: Successful Entrepreneur
Organization Involvement: American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), ASTM D20 Plastics Sub-Committee Chair
E-mail: echack2@uic.edu
Why did you return to school to obtain your MBA?
After graduating with an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Bradley University, I accumulated over 10 years of Engineering and Sales experience within two fortune 500 companies. As I progress through my corporate career, I wish to gather Operations, Accounting, Marketing and Strategic Management experience and eventually would like to expand into managing business units and $80- $120 Million revenue generating divisions within Parker Hannifin. I feel a MBA from UIC will help me accomplish this career objective.
What was the most important factor for you when choosing a MBA program?
The financial aspect played an important role. I wanted to be certain that the MBA class structure was not only flexible but also affordable.
Why did you choose UIC Liautaud for your MBA?
I chose UIC over several other business schools, primarily because UIC is located less than a mile from where I live. UIC also has a great hands-on practical approach to dealing with business solutions in coursework, which is a good toolbox to use in today’s corporate environment.
We all know that people pursue a MBA to increase their business knowledge, but since you have started the program, what has been the most unexpected gain the MBA has given you?
In addition to equipping me with a new prospective on how a business is run, it has also helped me streamline several business strategies before deployment to maximize profits. It has helped me appreciate and fully realize the power of networking through events.
UIC Liautaud MBA professors are continuously involved in research of new business trends and innovations. How have you felt the professors have been able to integrate their theoretical knowledge into practical applications?
I am not able to single out one particular case study as an example, as they all have been equally in par with excellence. UIC Business Professors do an excellent job of analyzing and dissecting real world critical business situations and have been very instrumental in assisting student teams identify and gather a multi-dimensional solutions approach to business situations.
Which course or professor has been your favorite thus far and why?
Professor Joseph Cherian - MKTG 500: Introduction to Marketing.
Dr. Cherian’s passion for Marketing is beyond any imagination. He is not only dedicated to his class, but also does an excellent job of inspiring and encourages his students to constantly think and innovate.
What is your favorite aspect of the UIC Liautaud MBA program?
I have been a true believer in accomplishing great heights through teamwork. The level of importance offered in teamwork through MBA coursework has been phenomenal. The UIC MBA program has been very unique and exceptional compared to several other programs I was considering.
How would you define the Liautaud student?
A visionary and innovator, truly dedicated to excellence through coursework
If you were to come up with a tagline for the Liautaud MBA, what would it be?
A giant leap to business excellence
What advice would you provide to incoming UIC Liautaud MBA students?
With a UIC MBA, the sky is the limit in career advancement. Set specific career goals and dream big. Make progress every day towards your dream.
How difficult have you found it to balance school with work and your personal life?
Balancing school and work has been a challenge. I have noticed that eventually discipline streamlines this process of balancing.
