2019 Best Brightest Meredith Wolpert, Georgia Tech (Scheller)

Meredith Wolpert 2019 Best Brightest: Meredith Wolpert, Georgia Tech (Scheller) by: Jeff Schmitt on March 24, 2019 | 0 Comments Comments 583 Views March 24, 2019Meredith WolpertGeorgia Tech, Scheller College of Business  Ã¢â‚¬Å"I am a vibrant, ambitious go-getter who loves a good podcast and long life chats over coffee.†Fun fact about yourself: I say â€Å"Rabbit, rabbit!† after waking up on the first day of each month. In fourth grade, my teacher said this will ensure good luck for the rest of the month, and I haven’t missed one yet!Hometown: Boston, MassachusettsHigh School: Westborough High SchoolMajor: Business Administration with a concentration in Information Technology Management and a Certificate in Business AnalyticsFavorite business course: My favorite course has been Introduction to Strategy with Professor Pian Shu. Unlike any other course I’ve taken, Introduction to Strategy was purely built on case studies, group discussions, and team projects. This cla ss took my original way of thinking about business issues and completely flipped it on its head. The biggest takeaway was learning that there’s rarely one right answer to solve a complex business issue. Instead, this class has helped me develop an appetite for taking risks and taught me to appreciate the beauty in uncertainty when it comes to decision making. Also, I gained insight into how important it is to not only study the successes of a company but also their shortcomings. While before, I focused solely on the company’s success stories, I now see the value in failure and the lessons learned from it.Extracurricular activities, community work and leadership roles during College:  Leadership and Extracurricular Activities:Scheller Business Ambassadors, President (2017 – 2018)First female president to lead and develop a team of six vice presidents, six project managers, and over 65 general members.Led redesign of the recruitment process to minimize bias and ensure the election of a diverse set of qualified candidates.Planned and executed more than 15 events per semester for the undergraduate population at Scheller College of Business.Created and maintained a website from scratch for members to find calendars, resources, contact information, etc.               Project Manager of Scholarship Events (2016 – 2017)Organized and directed three events for over 100 prospective students to interview for over $500,000 in scholarships.Managed a $2,000 budget while collaborating with senior leadership and faculty in the Undergraduate Programs Office.Society of Women in Business, Vice President of Project Management (2017 – 2018)Interviewed, selected, and led a team of six project managers in planning networking opportunities, on-campus community development events, professional workshops, panel events, and fundraisers.Fostered and maintained relationships among 10 corporate companies with sponsorships totaling over $14,500.                Project Manager of Membership (2016 – 2017)Created, implemented, and managed the internal mentorship program with 85% participation.Planned and led eight membership development events, networking activities, and resume workshops per semester.               Project Manager of Corporate Relations (2015 – 2016)Developed and facilitated the inaugural â€Å"Women in Business† Panel Event with five executives for over 60 attendees with 100% attendance.Created monthly newsletters using Microsoft Publisher to update corporate sponsors with current news about SWiB.DanceTech Performing Company, Member (2015 – 2019)Highly selective group of twenty classically trained dancers.Perform in three on-campus events per semester.Teach, choreograph, and participate in rehearsals 8+ hours per week.Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority, Member (2015 – 2019)Volunteered at Furkids Animal Rescue and Shelter, Strut Your Mutt, Relay for Life, etc.Promote d awareness for Breast Cancer and raised over $1,000.Completed over 160 hours of community serviceFreshman Activities Board, Member (2015 – 2016)Highly selective group of 30 college freshmen out of 550+ that applied.Planned large (over 200 in attendance) and small (more than 20 in attendance) scale events for the entire freshman class in an effort to create a shared and enjoyable first-year experience.Managed a budget of $10,000.Awards and Honors:Scheller College of Business Bergmark Family Merit ScholarshipWay Up’s Top 100 Interns of the Year 2018 – Awarded for the quality of overall performance, work ethic, impact, and personal/professional growth during summer 2018 internship. Determined by a panel of industry expert judges and thousands of public votes. More can be found here.Dean’s Advisory Board panelistKeynote speaker at 2018 Dean Scholarship DinnerDean’s List all semesters received Faculty HonorsOmicron Delta Kappa Freshman Leadership Award Where have you interned during your college career? Red Bull, Atlanta, Regional Marketing and Sales Intern (Summer 2017); PwC in Chicago and Amsterdam, Netherlands, Management Consulting Intern (Summer 2018).Where will you be working after graduation? I will be joining LinkedIn in July 2019 in their Chicago office. I’m excited to be an incoming associate in their Business Leadership Program, which is a rigorous rotational program designed to facilitate the transformation of early-career talent into future business leaders. I discovered this program after initiating a handful of discussions with industry experts at LinkedIn. A few phone calls later, I was fortunate enough to have one of LinkedIn’s team members become my mentor throughout the whole process. On top of that, the career services team and professors at Scheller gave me all of the tools necessary to achieve this dream of mine!What did you enjoy most about your business school? The tight-knit community here at Scheller College is truly something special. I love how there’s a common theme of students working hard to achieve their dreams, but also celebrating their classmates’ successes as well. It’s rare to find such a supportive, uplifting environment at this high-caliber of a program. Throughout the past four years, the Scheller community has always been there for me through my highest of highs and lowest of lows. The people here are always the first I want to share the good news with, and they’re the ones who help pick me back up when I need it the most. Scheller truly feels like a family within the greater Georgia Tech community. I feel lucky to call this place my â€Å"home away from home.†Also, I was very fortunate to have had the opportunity to participate in the Oxford Study Abroad Program during the summer of 2016. This intense 12-week program consists of taking 12 credit hours of coursework while traveling to 27 cities across continental Europe and attending the University of Oxford’s Worcester College. This experience challenged me to grow into an incredibly independent, resourceful, and adaptive individual. After traveling to a different city every few days, I became comfortable with immersing myself in different cultures and I learned the value of keeping an open mind.What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business? Business is all about relationships. Whether you’re in investment banking or a creative agency, at the end of the day, we’re all just in the business of working with people. So, interpersonal skills such as communication, teamwork, and relationship building are key to becoming a well-rounded, successful business professional. Also, while it’s pivotal to make these strong relationships, it’s even more important to maintain them. Throughout my time here, I’ve learned that your most important asset is your network. But, it’s even more crucial to kno w how to grow and leverage it!Secondly, I’ve learned that technology plays into all aspects of business as we move forward in a global environment. Scheller College is uniquely positioned at the intersection of business and technology. I feel fortunate to have been immersed in a curriculum designed so that technology is seamlessly intertwined into every business course, no matter the subject or level. Whether it’s studying machine learning or building a robot from scratch, Scheller students are fully equipped to view and solve real-world business issues through a technological lens. Further, the Scheller community embodies a true growth mindset. Scheller students have an itch to create the unimaginable, explore the unknown, and develop the â€Å"next best thing.† We never settle for the status quo, but rather utilize our business and technology expertise to push boundaries and surpass expectations. Technology is not just one part of our program, rather itâ€℠¢s in the fabric of this college.What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? I would advise the student to keep an open mind! In my opinion, the beauty of a business degree is just how flexible and transferrable it is. You can go into almost any industry you’re interested in and quickly become an invaluable asset to any organization you’re a part of. A business degree will open more doors than you can imagine, so I’d encourage you to be open to every opportunity that comes your way.What has surprised you most about majoring in business? I was surprised by how applicable my business knowledge is other facets of my life! Whether the business topics surface in an interdisciplinary class, while listening to the news, or even having a conversation with a stranger, my foundation in business has helped me better relate to individuals and think critically. I can’t count the number of times I’ve had a case study in class where the same company/topic is in a podcast I’m listening to or mentioned in an interview a few days later. Being knowledgeable about a business-related topic and able to contribute solid points in these scenarios is very rewarding!â€Å"If I didn’t major in business, I would be majoring in or studying†¦Psychology! I love understanding what makes people tick. I find it fascinating to explore the how’s and why’s behind an individual’s behaviors, perspectives, and habits. The few psychology courses I’ve taken in college have proven to be immensely helpful and eye-opening as they’ve taught me just how complex the human mind can be.Who most influenced your decision to pursue business in college? Karen Apuzzo-Langton, my high school business professor and personal mentor, inspired me to pursue business in college. As an enthusiastic and passionate marketing professional who wasn’t afraid to challenge her students, Ms. A puzzo-Langton sparked my initial curiosity in business. From there, whether it was working on projects, completing homework, or studying for a test, I found any and all of the topics relatable and enjoyable to learn about. While I took almost every business class she had to offer, I was hungry for more. So, following in Ms. Apuzzo-Langton’s footsteps, I decided to pursue a business degree in college and have never looked back.Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? I’m honored to have become the first female president of Scheller Business Ambassadors (SBA). As a nervous prospective student visiting Georgia Tech for the first time and feeling out of place, the Scheller Business Ambassadors immediately made me feel at home. Since then, I’ve always felt the need to give back to the organization that gave me so much. After stepping through the doors of the Scheller College my first day, I knew I wanted to get involved. Over the past four years, I’ve been able to serve as a general member, peer mentor, project manager, and, finally, president.During my presidency, I was responsible for leading a team of six vice presidents, six project managers, and a group of over 65 ambassadors. I’m so proud to have been able to serve an organization filled with some of the most inspiring, driven, and impressive individuals I know. This experience taught me more about myself as a leader, team member, and friend than I could have ever imagined.Which classmate do you most admire? My fellow classmate and good friend, Roopal Goel. Roopal is one of the most accomplished, yet humble and supportive individuals I know at Scheller College. Anyone who knows her can proudly say she is an absolute pleasure to be around as she lights up any room she walks in. In addition, she is always willing to prioritize a peer’s needs in front of her own any day of the week. She truly embodies Georgia Tech’s motto of P rogress and Service, and I’m inspired by her dedication to make Georgia Tech a better place in any way possible.Who would you most want to thank for your success?   Without a doubt, I would like to thank my parents. They are some of the most selfless, giving, and supportive people I know. They’ve taught me what it means to be a hard worker and have given me all of the tools necessary to chase after my dreams. I’m so grateful for all of the values they’ve instilled in me and for all of the encouragement they’ve given me along the way. I will never truly be able to express my sincere appreciation for everything that they do.What are the top two items on your bucket list?To live and work abroad one day.To own a golden retriever!What are your hobbies? In my free time you can find me trying new brunch restaurants, catching up with an old friend, or planning my next big trip.What made Meredith such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2019? â€Å"Me redith is curious, passionate, and confident. Her positive energy was absolutely contagious both inside and outside of my classroom. In a discussion-driven class with more than 50 students, Meredith stood out not only because of her unique insights, but also because she delivered them with such passion. Her presence helped create an engaging and exciting learning experience for her classmates. It was a delight to have had her in my class. She absolutely deserves the recognition!†Pian Shu Assistant Professor, Strategy Innovation Scheller College of Business at Georgia Techâ€Å"Meredith not only excels in the classroom – she is a leader on campus in Scheller College and among her peers. She broke the glass ceiling and became the first female president of the Scheller Business Ambassadors and has continually demonstrated her â€Å"can do† attitude and commitment to our Scheller College community. She represents everything that makes Scheller College a great plac e!†Craig Womack Associate Dean, Undergraduate Programs Scheller College of Business at Georgia Tech Page 1 of 11