Kamal A. Jumani, Goizueta MBA Class of 2019
Age: 27
Hometown: Jersey City, NJ
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Rutgers Business School; B.S. in finance
Pre-MBA Work Experience: 2 years of corporate finance experience (overheads planning and analysis, customer development, and supply chain) at a consumer goods company (Unilever) and 2 years at a chemicals manufacturing company (Honeywell and later its spin-off, AdvanSix).
Why business school? Why now? Having worked and gained valuable knowledge and experience in the workplace, and having fostered values such as perseverance and teamwork, I realized it was the right time to continue my education. I really enjoyed the roles I had been in but most of them were tactical, and I wanted to transition to more strategic ones. That is what really triggered my desire to go to business school at this specific time. I believed that an MBA would enable me to look at both sides of the business coin: make long-term business decisions that not only create value for all the parties involved but are also financially viable.
Why Goizueta? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend? I was captivated by the community drive at Goizueta. When I was applying to different business schools, I wanted to make sure that not only was I at a well-known and respected institution, I was also part of a close-knit community where I would be able to enjoy a great networking experience. And the school has absolutely delivered on that promise. Whether it was the Welcome Weekend or the multiple team activities we do, you’re always part of one big family.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2019? Class of 2019 at Goizueta represents the perfect balance of hard work, fun, and community involvement. We love to study hard but at the same time we like to have fun and make a difference. I am proud to say that my biggest contribution has been organizing an initiative during Thanksgiving week where our class raised $1,200+ for United Way of Atlanta in support of children’s education.
Fun fact that didn’t get included on your application? In high school and while doing my undergraduate studies, I used to do stand-up comedy and act in comedic plays.
Post-MBA career interests? Post-MBA, I want to combine my educational and professional experiences and become a business development/strategy manager at a top consumer goods or technology firm. Having an innate desire to be entrepreneurial, I want to use such opportunities to develop ideas that can make a long-lasting impact in terms of convenience and product innovations.
Advice to current prospective applicants: We are all human beings and never know for certain what we want. Come to business school with an understanding of what you want to do but don’t be afraid to switch if you realize that you want to do something else. You will not get another opportunity to do your MBA, so make sure you use it to really do what you will enjoy doing and are passionate about.
–One thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process? Come to school for my in-person interview, talk to as many Goizueta MBA students as possible (never take any advice for granted), and attend the Welcome Weekend. I believe that having that in-person exposure with the school, professors, and students made a big difference in the decision process. No matter how prestigious an institution is, it’s the people who make the real difference.
–One thing you would change or do differently? Take more time off from work before becoming a full-time MBA. I did take a month off and used it to volunteer but would have loved to have more time to travel and to spend with family and friends. Time flies, especially when you’re packing boxes and making a big transition.
–Part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it? The moving part. Having been part of a rotational program, I have had to move multiple times over the past few years and it can be daunting, especially when you think about moving to a new city and having to make new friends. However, you have to make the best out of it. Instead of making it a sad and terrible experience, I decided to do a fun road trip down to Atlanta on a mini-van full of stuff. Now when I think of the move, I think of the adventure rather than the work and hassle.
Greatest highlight so far at Goizueta? Becoming the executive vice president of the Goizueta Student Government and being able to raise more than $1,200 for United Way of Atlanta in support of children’s education.
One thing about Goizueta that you didn’t expect before arriving? I was not expecting to make so many great friends so fast and adapting so quickly to this city.
Thing you’ve been most anxious about in your first year? Managing to live on a student budget after working and being independent for four years, finding an internship for the summer, and having fun at the same time.
Thing you’ve been most excited about in your first year? Going back to a classroom and being a student again. As much as I love working and gaining experience through everyday problems at work, I also enjoy studying and working with other people on group projects where I can constantly learn from their experiences as well. The stories you hear from others can actually be your biggest learning experiences.
