Hear about the Jindal School of Management from the voices of the people who know best.
The best way to understand how the business school experience at the Jindal School can impact your life is to hear directly from the people who have experienced it themselves. JSOM alumni and current students, as well as faculty, staff members, and community partners have a lot to say about what you can expect from becoming part of the Jindal School community, working hard with your classmates and finally walking off the stage, diploma in hand, ready to advance in your career.
Testimonials
Jindal School students, alumni and partners talk about their invaluable academic experiences at the UT Dallas Jindal School of Management, providing advice, perspective, and vision. Hear about how:
- the Career Management Center has helped connect students and employers;
- the Study Abroad program is expanded students’ perspective on their role in the world;
- JSOM PhD students are producing important research and earning faculty positions at the world’s top universities; and
- exceptional high school students are making the most of their JSOM experience through the Jindal Young Scholars Program, the Davidson Management Honors Program, and the UTDserv Community Service program.
Christopher Adkins
At UT Dallas:
Sophomore in Information Technology and Systems
What student groups or organizations are you involved in?
I enjoy being part of some great organizations. I am a board member for Helping Hands, a volunteer service organization that addresses domestic violence. I am also a Nova Ambassador for Jindal School. With Nova, I serve on panel discussions and lead visitor tours.
What’s the best thing about being at UT Dallas?
If you want to, there’s plenty of ways to make a big impact on campus, and I enjoy that a lot. I have the opportunity to participate in theater and I play club and intramural sports. UTD and Jindal School give students tools needed to succeed – from the Career Management Center to multiple ways to get academic support.
What is a class that was particularly hard that, in the end, you mastered?
My first Jindal School class was Business Law. Honestly, it was quite intimidating. But I really enjoyed the class, and the professor was the best I could have had going into my first year in college. I really appreciated his class and teaching style, and it made me want to work harder.
GDI Student – Japanese Company
GDI Student – Japanese Company, Class of Spring 2022 (Building Hardware Manufacturer)
The Global Development Initiative was an experience I’ll never forget. My team and I had the pleasure of working with a Japanese manufacturer. We learned how to navigate meetings that take place in different time zones and had a successful project despite the presence of a language barrier. Through this internship, I gained hands-on experience conducting extensive marketing research. My team and I learned how to work together despite our busy schedules and put together a final product we are very proud of.
Taha Ahmed, BS in Business Administration and Finance ‘21
Financial Analyst, AT&T
Internships:
- MobileUX Technologies, Summer 2018
- AmeriCloud Solutions, Summer 2019
UTD Involvement:
- Muslim Student Association
- Toastmasters
- Business Professionals of America
How did DMHP enhance your UT Dallas experience?
DMHP has elevated my college experience to a level I would never have expected it to. Everything in it has a purpose, from educational/social/volunteering events, to the coursework and staff, to the outside experiences. I am so grateful to be part of the environment that DMHP creates to create better professionals for the future.
Lisa Townsend
Sr. Manager, Distribution Fulfillment at Lennox
Capstone projects help students use their classroom skills in real-world cases, but companies also benefit from having their outside expertise to provide new ideas and solutions. All companies should take advantage of this experience.
Hasan Cavusoglu
Associate Professor of Management Information Systems
Sauder School of Business, The University of British Columbia
Beyond their remarkable intellect, the faculty members at the Jindal School of Management impressed me with their passion for excellence in research, dedication to superb doctoral education and endless patience toward PhD students during my time in the program. They are truly a source of inspiration. I consider myself privileged to be trained by incredible professors who showed us how to achieve rigor and relevance in research.
Jacob Gonzalez, BS in Accounting
BS in Accounting
I was admitted to The University of Texas at Dallas and offered the JYSP scholarship. Without this scholarship, that you so generously helped fund, I probably wouldn’t have gone to college. Now, the opportunities are endless, and my goals of becoming a CPA and working for the FBI are closer than ever before.
Carolina Mendez
At UT Dallas:
Freshman in Accounting
What student groups are you involved in?
I take part in Undergraduate Success Scholars. USS is a UT Dallas student group that is for underrepresented minority undergraduates. We go to individual meetings and have group events for workshops and networking. We create our own personalized success plan and as a group, do on-campus and off-campus service projects.
If you work off campus, are there things you’ve learned at UTD that you apply at work?
I work at TJMaxx as a coordinator. In my classes at UT Dallas, I’ve learned customer service skills and improved my leadership skills.
What’s the best thing about being at UT Dallas?
I think that the UT Dallas campus is very beautiful. I love seeing the modern buildings when I go to class.
Julio Tovar, Bachelor’s in Accounting
Accounting Major
I am honored to receive the JYSP Scholarship, as I know that only very few get the chance to receive it and the opportunity to study without worrying about how to pay for college. This scholarship will allow me, upon graduation, to pursue a career in which I can support my family and myself and provide a higher standard of living than we have.
Bhushan Sonmale, Class of ’21
Master’s in Information Technology Management, Class of ’21
Enrolling in the Professional Development course (MAS 6102) at UT Dallas was one of the best things that happened to me at the start of my Master’s journey.
Wei Chen
Assistant Professor in Analytics, Information & Operations, School of Business, University of Kansas
When I joined the PhD program at UT Dallas, I had a single objective in mind–to become a future faculty member at a research institution. Today, when I look back, I can say that the PhD program, especially the professors, helped me achieve this goal 100%: During my time at UTD, I have obtained invaluable skills that are required to conduct research and communicate with others. More importantly, I have gained confidence as a researcher and a teacher. For this, I am forever grateful.
Neha Kaisani, BS in Supply Chain Management and Marketing ‘21
Technical Account Manager, Qualtrics
Internships:
- Toyota, Summer 2021
UTD Involvement:
- Orientation Leader
- Freshmen Mentor
- Dean’s Council
- Business Professionals of America
How did DMHP enhance your UT Dallas experience?
DMHP has enhanced my UT Dallas experience by allowing me to engage with our school while still receiving a more rigorous, challenging, and rewarding education. The program has granted me a group of students that constantly push me to be my best and also allows me to give back to a community that has done so much for me.
Varika Pinnam, BS in Marketing ‘21
UK, Ireland, Nordics: Windows & Surface Category Manager, Microsoft
Internships:
- Vivid Marketing, Summer 2018
- Anschultz PR, Fall 2018
- Perot Museum, Spring 2018
- Microsoft, Summer 2020
Study Abroad:
- Hong Kong, Summer 2019
UTD Involvement:
- Association for Computer Machinery
- 180 Degrees Consulting
- Colloquium for the Advancement of Free-Enterprise Education
- Blackstone Launchpad
How did DMHP enhance your UT Dallas experience?
Within DMHP, I’ve found a constant and community in an ever-changing college environment. Being a part of such an amazing, supportive cohort is very special to me and has defined my JSOM experience because it is what I had wanted before even entering college. The experiences I’ve had, whether it be volunteering or a trip, and the friends I’ve made have left a lasting impact on me -all because of being a part of this program.
SeoYeon (Soy) Choi
Master’s in Information Technology Management, Class of ’21
Be prepared to allocate few hours a day to mold your cover letter to fit your dream companies. Start early, apply to many, and importantly, set your boundaries – focus on specific job title(s).
Amir Meshki, BS in Finance ‘20
Wholesale Credit Analyst, Bank of America
Internships
- International Rescue Committee, Summer 2017
- U.S. House of Representatives, Fall 2018
- LP Analyst & U.S. house of Representatives, Spring 2018
- General Motors Financial, Summer 2019
- Stonehenge Growth Capital, Fall 2019 – Spring 2020
Study Abroad:
- Washington D.C., United States, Fall 2018
- DMHP Peru International Trip, May 2019
- DMHP Croatia International Trip, May 2018
UTD Involvement:
- DECA
- 180 Degrees Consulting
- Financial Leadership association
- John Quincy Adams Society
How has DMHP enhanced your UT Dallas experience?
Transferring into DMHP undoubtedly changed the course of my college experience far more than I could have ever imagined. The program has given me countless opportunities to excel and grow both personally and professionally. The students and staff in DMHP are amazing and welcoming and it truly feels like I am part of a family.
Salman Jasim, MSF SPRING 2020
The Finance Lab has been an integral part of my education and career thus far. The skills I had acquired are imperative to my work. It was here that I had learnt about S&P Cap IQ, and Bloomberg, two tools that I use on a daily basis. Aside, from the technical skills, I also got to learn about the various aspects of the Finance realm from the many different speakers that have graced the lab over time and the extraordinary peers I got to work with.
Giovanny Lopez
At UT Dallas:
Junior in Finance
What’s the most surprising thing about being in college?
The most surprising thing I have found out about college is how the professors and staff are so willing to help.
What is a class you enjoy and why?
A class I am enjoying right now it my Commercial Property Risk Management and Insurance class, mainly because it has opened my mind on how I view the different aspects and impacts of how risk is all around us.
What is a class that was particularly hard that, in the end, you mastered?
The most challenging class I have taken would be Business Law. By far this is the class I studied for the most and would not mind having to take it a second time!
Jess Cornaggia
Alumni Professor of Finance, Smeal College of Business, Pennsylvania State University
The PhD program prepared me for a successful career in academia. I had ample resources to conduct high quality research and, most importantly, I had helpful mentors who really invested in me and taught me the nuances of the profession.
Candace Day
Volunteer Coordinator, National Breast Cancer Foundation
Volunteering reaches places far beyond where you ever imagined. For the healthcare workers, women in treatment, and under-served communities we serve, it all starts with YOU.”? Some of our greatest volunteers are students. They consistently show up and ask ‘What else can I do?’ Our hope is to continue to partner with UTD to reach more women, not only locally but also across the nation, to deliver comforting and life-saving services when they need it most—now.
Jason Manzala
At UT Dallas:
Junior in Finance
If you work off campus, are there things you’ve learned at UTD that you apply at work?
I work at CVS Pharmacy as an inventory specialist. I have learned at UTD about being able to adapt to different environments and this helped me learn the ins and outs of the pharmacy quickly. The critical thinking skills I acquired at UT Dallas helped me become an integral part of the pharmacy team.
What’s the best thing about being at UT Dallas?
The best thing about UT Dallas and Jindal School is the diversity and feeling of comfort overall. Being able to be in a community that is extremely diverse allows me to gain new experiences. When I am walking around the campus or in class, I feel like I am welcomed and that they are happy that I am there. It made me sad last year when we had to switch to online classes because of COVID19. It took away that feeling of comfort of being on campus.
What’s the most surprising thing about being in college?
The most surprising thing about college is the amount of freedom I have. I was able to develop more as a person.
Hui (Vivienne) Zhi, MSF SPRING 2020
I worked in the Finance Lab from Fall 2019 to Spring 2020 as a student worker. Any day I was on campus, the Lab was a must-go stop. Like we always say: “I’ll meet you at the Lab.” The Finance lab offered some great resources to current students, whether we’re working on course-related papers, case competitions, or just want to self-learn and get familiar with some financial modeling databases. Every semester, the lab arranges a variety of events to enhance the students’ experience and provides an excellent platform for students to network and talk to professionals, professors, and alumni.
Alumni Spotlights
Jindal School has more than 46,000 alumni worldwide who work in industries as diverse as renewable energy, Big 4 accounting firms, healthcare and nonprofits. Alumni have gone on to medical school, law school and to other universities as professors and researchers. They have started companies and impacted their industries in countless ways.
The graduates featured below have agreed to share the story of their Jindal School experiences. If you are an alumnus and would like to share your story, please contact Jeanne Spreier. If you’d like to find alumni you went to school with, join www.jindalconnect.com.
Vik Thapar, BS’00
Principal, Cypress Growth Capital
Thapar, a Dallas resident, was born and grew up just a few miles from the UT Dallas campus in Richardson.
Farhad Rizvi, BS’11
Founder, Shamak Associate, Gerson Lehrman Group
Farhad Rizvi had a vision of combining commerce and philanthropy into one business strategy. Along with his older brother, Hammad, he created Shamak Sandals, a company that sells leather sandals handcrafted in the Middle East. But Shamak Sandals reaches beyond shoe sales.
Pat McCown, BS’91
Partner, State and Local Tax, Grant Thornton LLP
Pat McCown has combined hard work and an entrepreneurial spirit in an accounting career that spans more than 20 years and includes a major merger and two partner positions. He is credited with creating and introducing new ideas into the accounting profession, generating dramatic increases in revenue and developing constructive client relationships. Pat earned a degree in from the Jindal School and says his coursework helped him develop his work ethic and commitment to excellence.
Saadia Sheikh, BS’09
Vice President, Commercial Divisionwingert Real Estate Company
Saadia Sheikh is passionate about real estate. Just a few years after graduating from the Jindal School, her passion for the industry translated into a thriving career. She serves as vice president at a large real estate brokerage firm in Dallas. While a student, Sheikh sought advice from her professors regarding her professional development and her interest in real estate. Today she continues to seek their feedback, as her Jindal School education remains relevant in her real estate career and the business world.
Joshua Levy, MBA’11
Program Manager, Pearson Education
Joshua Levy combined his lifelong love of teaching with the Jindal School’s project management program to map his future as a leader for Pearson Education, the world’s largest education company and book publisher. A few years into his career there, he noticed that many of his colleagues who were going places had graduate degrees.
Gaurav Sethi, BS’20
Investment Bank Risk Analyst, JP Morgan
Sethi works at JP Morgan as a specialist in counterparty credit risk calculations, doing the heavy analysis that most don’t even know exists – he investigates and explains derivative exposure variances and changes. Sethi earned both finance and actuarial science undergrad degrees. (Actuarial science is in the UT Dallas School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.) Notably, Sethi was awarded the prestigious $15,000 Mitchell Family Foundation Scholar Award from the Texas Business Hall of Fame Foundation, based on his work with CampusOven, a service that connects university employees and students with caterers who are focused on healthy eating options.
Luis Ortiz, MBA’10
Brand Manager, North America Ericsson
As a young professional, Luis Ortiz found a way to further his company’s goals and initiatives while helping individuals in need. He developed a business initiative for Ericsson that not only met and surpassed company objectives but also helped a nonprofit organization. By looking beyond boundaries between for-profit and nonprofit organizations, Ortiz crafted a creative solution to help Ericsson increase its brand awareness while assisting the North Texas Food Bank.
Randy Black, CFP, CDFA, BS’06
Financial Planner, Spectrum Financial Group
Black, a certified financial planner, is certain that a successful leader will go above and beyond what is expected when helping others. This value is evident in his work helping numerous clients reach their financial goals. Since his May 2006 graduation from the Jindal School, Black has exceeded several industry standards even though he has not yet reached his 10-year mark in the professional world.
Julie McCure, MS’13
Texas Health Resources, Network Specialist
McCure, who earned her master’s degree in Healthcare Management, is part of a team managing Southwestern Health Resources’ preferred network of physicians.
Brad Perkinson, BS’08, MS’09
Founder,CEO and Brewer, Firewheel Brewing Co., LLC
This Naveen Jindal School of Management grad took the opportunity of getting laid off to pursue a dream of starting what is now known as FireWheel Brewery in Rowlett.
Dilon Hanks, MBA’11
Aircraft Captain, Training & Safety Manager; Paypal Aviation Department
Hanks started his education with an undergraduate degree at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and has had a long career path to land his current job.
Abhishek Sharma, Class of ’21
Finance Manager at Amazon
My background experience was a mix of technical qualifications as a software engineer and work experience as a futures trader and Sales Finance Manager. Even though I had worked in the finance domain in different capacities, I didn’t have experience of academic finance and when looking for options for my graduate level education my priority was to complement both my previous education and work experience. The MS Finance program at JSOM not only fulfilled all the criteria but also boasted of world class faculty and a very enhanced learning program and facilities.
Matthew A. Thompson, BS’12
Automation Marketing Manager, StructuredWeb
Matthew A. Thompson, who majored in marketing, moved to New York City soon after graduation. Once there, he landed a job at ALM, a specialized business news and information company largely focused on the legal community.
Ernest Lowery, BS’08, MS’09
Assurance Director, PwC
Ernest has worked in the assurance practice at PwC for over 10 years. He has worked with public and private clients in a number of industries, including energy, industrial products, media and entertainment and technology. He most recently worked in a digital role, where his primary focus was helping to develop new tools to be used across the assurance practice. What he enjoys most is working with clients and his teams to complete a common goal.
Corey Hutchins Woolley, MS’12 MBA’16
Senior Routing Manager, Keurig Dr Pepper
At Keurig Dr Pepper, Woolley manages a team that routes the company’s DSD (direct store delivery) trucks throughout the southern U.S., handling 50 locations and more than 700 delivery routes daily. Woolley, who completed her MBA and graduate degree in supply chain management at Jindal School, designed the companywide process for creating balanced sales and delivery route plans.
David Wedemeier, BS’02, MBA’05
Founder, Sales And Business Development Director, Martin House Brewing Company
David Wedemeier took a risk and left a management position at Nokia to start his own business. He put his own advice into practice, stepping outside his comfort zone and into a business-development role in a brand new venture. Wedemeier, along with two close friends, co-founded Martin House Brewing Company in Fort Worth. As a new-business owner and entrepreneur, he relies upon the skills and knowledge he accrued while pursuing his undergraduate and graduate degrees at the Jindal School.
Mindy Tiu, BS’14
GE, Commercial Leadership Program
Mindy Tiu, now living in Stamford, Conn, fully embraced her time at UT Dallas by taking part in a broad range of campus activities.
Aubrey Meyers, BS’05, MBA’06
SVP and Deputy General Counsel, Caliber Home Loans, Inc
After Meyers received her BSBA and MBA at UT Dallas, she went to University of Illinois College of Law, graduating in 2009 with a law degree. She returned to the North Texas area, working for a couple law firms before moving to Caliber Home Loans.
The Perdue Family
Connie, Caitlin and Brad Perdue
For the Perdue family, attending the Jindal School is a family tradition that stands out among many others. Parents Brad and Connie met while graduate students in the 1980s, and many years later, daughter Caitlin received her undergraduate degree as well.
Craig Weigel, MBA’03
Human Resources Director, PepsiCo
Weigel, an HR professional for more than 18 years, has worked for multiple Fortune 100 global companies in various roles, including recruiting, mergers and acquisitions, compensation, and business partnership. He is most proud of his short-term projects in Asia and Europe, which broadened his cultural awareness and global business knowledge.
