Jack Guda, Carnegie Mellon Tepper MBA Class of 2022
Age: 27
Hometown: Downingtown, Pennsylvania
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Penn State University, Computer Science
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): I spent the first four years of my career as a Marine Corps Communications Officer. After the Marine Corps, I worked as a product manager at a tech startup called GoShare.
Why business school? Why now?
I came to business school to grow personally and professionally, and to have fun. I wanted to surround myself with a close-knit, diverse group of brilliant people who would challenge me to grow every day while also equipping myself with the skills and knowledge to become the best possible product manager and business leader I can be. I chose to come now because the time just felt right in my life. I wanted to take advantage of these two years while I’m young to focus on my growth, while also having fun, meeting new people, and traveling.
Why Carnegie Mellon Tepper? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I was looking for a business school that could specifically help me grow as a product manager, and Tepper was an easy choice because of its renowned education at the intersection of business, technology, and analytics.
One specific aspect that excited me about Tepper was its Technology Strategy and Product Management Track. Of the schools I applied to, Tepper was the only one that had a curriculum track with such a clear fit for my background and career goals in product management. Not only are the course options in the track relevant and exciting (Applied Machine Learning, Human-Computer-Interaction for PMs, and many more), but you also gain access to a technology leadership capstone where you work with a corporate partner on solving one of their pressing challenges.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2022?
The combination of my career as a Marine Officer with my industry experience as a product manager at a growing tech startup provided me with a distinctive, varied professional experience. I hope to draw on my empathic leadership, compassion, and technical skills to contribute to my classmates and community. I am always willing to help.
Fun fact that didn’t get included on your application?
Well, I don’t think it’s a very fun fact, but I don’t drink coffee or caffeine. It just doesn’t really do anything for me.
Post-MBA career interests?
I am looking forward to continuing my career as a product manager after Tepper, helping to build a product that makes people’s lives better.
Advice to current prospective applicants:
–One thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Not wasting time applying to schools I wasn’t genuinely interested in. I only applied to 3 schools, all of which I felt were a great fit. Don’t waste your time applying to a school you have no interest in going to.
–One thing you would change or do differently?
I stretched out my GMAT studying too long before taking the test. By the time I took the test, I had been studying for 6 months on a deployment and I was already burnt out as my test date approached. I would advise an approach closer to Agile software development. Study hard for a couple of months. Test. Review and adjust your strategy as needed. Study hard again. Test again. Repeat until you get where you want.
–Part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
Essays. I hated writing them. Reaching out to students and mentors to help give me direction and feedback was crucial to my ability to get through it.
What is your initial impression of Carnegie Mellon Tepper’s students/culture/community?
Diverse and collaborative. My classmates come from all over the world, and they bring with them their culture, values, and unique perspectives which make for fascinating conversations and friendships. Everyone is extremely supportive and collaborative, and I feel like I can ask any one of them for help.
One thing you have learned about Carnegie Mellon Tepper that has surprised you?
As Tepper students, we truly can explore all that Carnegie Mellon has to offer. Want to take a class from the School of Computer Science that’s outside of your comfort zone, but you’re worried you might fail? You can request to take the course as a “Pass/Fail” course instead of a normal graded course. Still worried you might fail? Ask if you can “audit” the course. You can still attend and absorb the knowledge and concepts without having to worry about keeping up with all of the assignments.
Thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
I am hoping our class of 2022 can build the same tight bonds that Tepper is known for, despite the COVID pandemic.
Thing you are most excited about in your first year?
Well, I guess the thing I’m most anxious about is also what I’m most excited about. I love meeting new people and making new friends, so I can’t wait to get to know everyone!
