By Miller Radford, MBA '19
“If you think you won’t learn much, you have much to learn.” Those were the words uttered to me as I contemplated graduate school. Prior to pursuing my MBA at the University of Georgia Terry College of Business, I completed the Fulbright Scholarship in Malaysia and returned to Atlanta to flip starter homes. After a series of investments, industry mentors suggested I attend business school in order to penetrate the commercial real estate market. It was time to move up, and those around me knew it. Within days of announcing my interest in continuing my education, several alumni began reaching out in ways I never expected. I first thought to myself, “Is this the type of support the UGA community offers?” After all, I was only a prospective student.All along, the answer has been a resounding yes. Whether I found myself surrounded by Career Management staff eager to tackle my many inquiries or professors willing to spend an hour after class repeating a lecture just for me, the program’s patient and cooperative culture gave me the gut feeling that “this just feels right.” And though a significant part of me entered with the goal of enhancing my career, I also knew a heightened understanding of the fields in which I lacked exposure (e.g., marketing, business intelligence, business law, etc.) would enable me to profitably continue entrepreneurial activities as well. Now as I reflect upon my decision, I do not believe I could have made a better one.
Eight months into the program, I signed my first graduate-level internship as a private equity analyst at my target firm, Jamestown LP. The vertical achievement was something that left family and friends astonished. My gut feeling was once again validated. Shortly after my summer working alongside asset managers responsible for properties including One Times Square, Chelsea Market, Ponce City Market, etc., I called the University’s office to deliver the news I had just signed the return offer with a beaming smile. Over the phone, I heard “You really did it, wow! Well done!”
Since then, I have interacted with arguably triple the amount of industry professionals who just so happen to be alumni, and that is no hyperbole. You name it: dinners, social outings, sporting events; there simply has not been a shortage of opportunities to connect with fellow students, professors, and managers. The excitement of beginning a new life is noticeable with every step I take on campus this semester, but so are the memories of playing tennis under the autumn canopies, touring four local breweries just minutes apart, running down the downtown streets while artists perform in red and black, and the sound of the marching band practice as I enjoy the site of Athens from the Georgia Theatre Rooftop.
It has been a great two years, only for several amazing years to follow. For these reasons and many more, I would like to thank each of my professors, counselors, and classmates for making this a time never to be forgotten. The degree of comradery that I experienced is more than I could have asked for, so my only hope is to now give as much as I have received.
Still, there is one thing I have left to say…
Gooooooo DAWGS!
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