Real Humans of the Miami Business School
Jack Shelgren, Miami Business School MBA Class of 2020
Age: 23
Hometown: Winter Haven, FL
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Florida State University, Entrepreneurship
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Founder of Hooligans, a clothing brand, and working as a leasing associate for a boutique commercial real estate firm, Azor Advisory Services, Inc.
Jack Shelgren, Miami Business School MBA Class of 2020
Why business school? Why now? I wanted to set up my career in Miami, and the University of Miami Business School is the best in the area. I hesitated between working full-time and doing the MBA later in my career, or doing it now, fresh out of undergrad. Ultimately, I decided to do the MBA now because I received a generous scholarship from The U, and I figured it would strengthen my prospects and relationships in Miami.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to your MBA class? My dedication to connecting colleagues with employers, other students, professors, or alumni I think would be beneficial to them, and my positive attitude.
Fun fact that didn’t get included on your application? I managed a local band through high school and my first year of college, called Glass House Point. I mostly got paid in beer, but I occasionally received wads of cash for getting the band gigs. They still play together, eight years later, and the lead singer is touring with MGMT this summer.
Post-MBA career interests? I am considering a career in finance, real estate finance, sales or entrepreneurship. My passion is in entrepreneurship, but I am very interested in finance and real estate. Ultimately, I will make my career decision based on whom I would be working with. I strongly believe in the power in who you surround yourself with.
Advice to Prospective MBA Applicants
One thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process? Flying down for the in-person interview and campus visit. The campus is beautiful, and you get to experience the people of the University of Miami in-person. The people are what seal the deal.
One thing you would change or do differently? I would visit sooner. I sort of delayed the visit because I was considering other MBA programs and I was busy with work, but the visit would have cleared things up for me sooner and mitigated some anxiety.
Part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it? I spent way too much time on the personal essay for admission. Although I believe it is important to clearly lay out who you are and what you want to do, do not obsess over it and overthink it. Jot down your primary points and hand it off to a friend for review. Don’t get bogged down in the weeds.
Greatest highlight so far at the Miami Business School? It’s hard to pick a single moment, but one of my favorite moments was our round of applause for one of our professors during our last class with him. Looking around the room, I could see everyone smiling with true appreciation. Another favorite moment was our group presentations for our marketing class—one of our groups made a music video for Pedialyte, but remixed it “PediaLIT” and it was hysterical.
One thing about the Miami Business School that you didn’t expect before arriving? I didn’t expect Miami to be a small world. But it really is. Everybody knows everybody.
Thing you were most anxious about in your first year? I was most anxious about making friends with the people in my program. After the first week, that anxiety dissipated.
Thing you were most excited about in your first year? I was most excited about getting my summer internship, and I got my internship offer in December!
About the Author
Matthew Korman
Matthew Korman is a writer on MetroMBA. Since graduating from Rowan University with a degree in journalism and political science, Matthew has worked as a music industry writer and promoter, a data analyst, and with numerous academic institutions. His works have appeared in publications such as NPR and Sports Illustrated.
