Jared Ramthun Speaks at ISU MBA Alumni Panel

We all remember what it was like to go to college for the first time. Sweaty palms, uncertainty about classes, and afraid that you aren’t prepared are feelings that we all have experienced. Turns out that starting a master’s degree program is no different.

Jared Ramthun returned to Iowa State University  to participate in an alumni panel during the orientation of new Master of Business Administration students. Jared participated in the concurrent BSME/MBA program while at Iowa State and graduated with both degrees in 2009.

Joining Jared on the panel were Diana Sloan of Global reach Internet Productions, Tara Twedt with Architecture Incorporated, and Ted Hoagland with Webfilings LLC. During the 1-hour panel discussion the panelists described how their MBA has helped them in their careers while new MBA students asked questions about classes, finding internships and jobs, and advice to help them succeed.

Jared was the only concurrent engineering/MBA alumni on the panel so many questions about the challenges of completing both degrees were directed his way. “Participating in this panel was a wonderful experience,” Jared said.  “It gave me an opportunity to reflect back on my education and how obtaining an both a mechanical engineering degree and MBA from Iowa State University has helped me in my career.”

Looking back, the team-oriented focus of the ISU MBA program was a highlight of the program for Jared. “The Iowa State MBA program organizes students into teams of 4 or 5 and they work with that same team in every class during their first year of classes. Team members have different educational backgrounds and strengths and weaknesses. Learning how to work together on long-term projects and communicate well are definitely skills that has translated well to my job at Design Engineers. Every project brings together a new team that will be working together for a long time, from schematic design to the completion of construction. Learning to communicate well with Owners, Architects, Consultants, and Contractors on a daily basis is something that Design Engineers excels at, and  I feel that the ISU MBA prepared me well for this high level of collaboration.”