November 2008

When Gordon Hwang decided to earn an MBA to develop his leadership ability, Georgia Tech’s full-time program was the obvious choice.

“I already knew of the high quality of students and professors from my undergraduate years at Tech,” says Hwang, who earned his BS in industrial and systems engineering here in 2001. “After almost a year and a half in the program, I can definitely say that I made the right decision. My expectations have far been exceeded.”

Previously a business analyst for Coca-Cola Enterprises, Hwang already has a job lined up after graduation in May 2009. He’ll go to work as a senior consultant for the North Highland Company.

Initially he wasn’t sure he wanted to go back into consulting. Right after graduation in 2001, he worked a stint for Clarkston Consulting, helping life sciences companies with IT systems. The job required him to be on the road almost 100 percent of the time.

But he was attracted to North Highland because its Atlanta office focuses only on local clients, requiring no out-of-town travel. He was encouraged to consider the opportunity by the College of Management’s Jones MBA Career Center.

“The career development team here is second to none,” he says. “Their goal is to ensure that all students who come through the program have a job by the time they graduate. I’ve witnessed first-hand how hard the staff works to fulfill this commitment.”

Down the road, Hwang sees himself fulfilling his entrepreneurial aspirations, perhaps combining his love of tennis with a business opportunity. He played varsity tennis during his undergraduate years at Tech and later worked as a coach at the Universal Tennis Academy in Atlanta.

Still an avid sportsman, Hwang has enjoyed teaming with his fellow MBA students in Tech’s intramural graduate league for competition in basketball, soccer, softball, and flag football.

“I know every one of my classmates,” Hwang says. “Having a small class size builds a tighter-knit community and creates a better learning environment inside the classroom.”

Over the past year, Hwang has served as president of Graduate Students in Management, focusing on strengthening the alumni network and creating more social and networking opportunities for students.

“There are plenty of ways that students can take on leadership roles during their time in the program, including numerous clubs and organizations geared toward MBA students,” he says.