Derrick Afriyie, UGA Terry MBA Class of 2024
Age: 30
Hometown: Accra, Ghana
Undergraduate Institution and Major: University of Ghana, Liberal Arts
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): 7 years’ experience in Human Resources working in Non-profit and International Development
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
After 7 years in industry, working in both generalist and specialist people functions within the international development space, I found that I wanted to take on a management position in my next role to advance my career. This inspired me to enroll in a top MBA program, to retool my strategic skillset and build a strong international professional network.
Why did you choose UGA Terry? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
My decision to choose Terry was an easy one. When I started researching MBA programs last year, I considered three factors; a close-knit class size, flexible concentrations, and experiential learning opportunities. With an average class size of 65, I was sure to gain maximum value for my learning experience. I thrive in smaller learning communities, so this appealed to me. Terry has 12 areas of concentrations which provides a unique opportunity to explore diverse career interests. As a Human Resources professional, I was keen to build my career further in this area and Terry was one of the few MBA programs with a strong HR specialization. One amazing value Terry also provides is the opportunity to apply classroom knowledge in non-profit organizations, to have firsthand experience in helping small to medium sized organizations scale. This particularly appealed to me due to my strong interest in social impact and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI).
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2024?
As a huge advocate for DEI, the value I bring to the class is spotting opportunities to promote inclusion both in and outside the classroom. My interest in this area, enables me stimulate DEI conversations, challenge stereotypes, broaden intercultural mindsets and importantly, provide African perspectives to global discussions.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I love travelling. As a travel enthusiast, I have travelled to 13 countries across 4 continents, and I look forward to travelling to 40 countries by the age of 40!
Post-MBA career interests:
Post MBA, I plan to get into a General Management or HR Leadership Development Program role. I am particularly interested in driving change programs, organizational transformations, and process improvements at the intersection of people and technology. My aim is to help organizations design and implement efficient models and solutions to deliver both long- and short-term value.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process? Research your MBA program of interest thoroughly to produce compelling and tailored essays. Applying to MBA programs can be overwhelming and so is drafting multiple essays. However, nothing beats a well written essay that aligns with your MBA goals and the school’s value proposition.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
If I could go back, I will speak to more current students in the program. One mistake I made during my MBA application was speaking to only a few students. I cannot emphasize enough the value of speaking to multiple students both domestic and international. This offers you diverse perspectives to the program experience to ensure your information is not skewed.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through
it?
Writing multiple essays! MBA essays require time, commitment, and deep reflections. It is not always easy aligning your “why MBA” to your short- and long-term goals. This requires research, networking, information sessions and sometimes school visits to help draft essays that reflect your objectives authentically. What I did to get through this hurdle was to remain consistent with my short- and long-term goals. Once this was mapped out, it became easier to work through the process.
What is your initial impression of the UGA Terry students/culture/community?
Terry is home. I feel a great sense of community in the MBA program. The faculty is super committed to seeing you succeed, and this is clearly marked by the level of support and guidance provided every step of the way. The culture at UGA is nothing short of the Southern hospitality. The college town is very serene and is always buzzing with many events, bars, and concerts. The students and residents in Athens are also very welcoming and the football culture is electrifying. It is no surprise UGA won College Football Playoff National championships earlier this year.
What is one thing you have learned about UGA Terry that has surprised you?
The program is academically challenging. Terry has very high academic standards and the MBA program reflects that. It is specially designed to positively challenge you to be an all-round leader. I was also very surprised to see the level of commitment required to give back. Students complete 50 hours of volunteering service in the program. This encourages students to participate in non-profit board fellows’ program, as well as clubs and social impact activities.
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
After spending seven years in industry, I was anxious about becoming a student again, balancing heavy academic workload, career opportunities, and enjoying social activities. For professionals getting back to school, this may be a big shift from regular work experience, but it is definitely worth the experience.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I am super excited about the multicultural networking opportunities. I have developed great friendships both in and outside of the classrooms. I regard these lifelong friends valuable, and I am glad the MBA program has offered me this opportunity along the way.
Has the COVID-19 pandemic affected your personal application or admissions process in any way? If so, how?
Yes, Covid 19 presented some lags in my visa application process. It was a challenge finding visa appointment dates in my home country due to backlog from the previous years. I had to make a huge investment travelling to a neighboring country to acquire my visa. Eventually, I got my visa approved three weeks before my school start date and I was able to travel just in time.
