The Eller Community : Meet Eller MBAs

Cameron Verhaal, MBA '07

“The environment is dynamic, the curriculum is challenging, and the people have really made my time here enjoyable.”

On the Eller experience:

The Eller MBA Program has offered me a superior education and an amazing overall experience. Eller has given me a solid education in the fundamental areas of business, and has really given me the opportunity to simultaneously explore the three areas of business that I am most interested in: international management, finance, and entrepreneurship. The environment is dynamic, the curriculum is challenging, and the people have really made my time here enjoyable. As a father of two young children, I was worried that my outside responsibilities would hinder me from really getting to know my fellow classmates. However, the small size of our program has allowed me to get to know virtually all of my fellow students, and accessibility of the professors has been particularly helpful for me. Even though I may miss some MBA events for personal or family reasons, I still feel just as much a part of this program as anyone.

On Eller faculty:

The quality of professors in the Eller MBA program, throughout the different academic disciplines, is truly exceptional. Specific examples of faculty members that I have been most impressed with include: Dan Bens in accounting, Greg Crawford who teaches business strategy, and Diza Sauers for business communication.

On elective courses:

While at Eller, I have focused in finance and international management. One of the great things about this program is that they allow you to essentially craft your own concentration, and I have focused on taking electives that offer me exposure to both the world of finance and international business. For example, last semester I took international management which included a trip to Guadalajara, Mexico, where we got a first-hand look at how businesses operate and thrive in an increasingly global marketplace. I also took international financial markets and institutions, a finance class that addresses the fascinating world of global finance. This class included a trip abroad to London, England, where we made numerous site visits to international financial institutions including HSBC, Deutche Bank, and Bank of England. These opportunities have been an integral and defining part of my MBA experience, and are examples of how the Eller MBA program has been a perfect fit for my personal interests and experiences.

On Eller staff:

Since my career objective is already defined and somewhat unique, I was not sure if or how the Office of Career Development would be in a position to help me. Bob Rieger and Sylvia Munoz have served as mentors to me throughout my time here, challenging me to continually refine my career goals and objectives. On a number of occasions, I spoke with or had lunch with Bob Rieger, who has extensive experience in international business, and received advice about how best to prepare myself for a career in Mexico, where I will be living and working after my MBA. This personal attention throughout my time at Eller has benefited me tremendously, and I am confident that I am now more prepared than ever before as a result of having worked with Bob and Sylvia in the Office of Career Development.

On his career goals:

I truly believe the Eller MBA program has given me the tools to better achieve my goals. Specifically, attending a program that is so geared towards entrepreneurship has allowed me to work and interact with people who have experience in small business and entrepreneurial endeavors. These experiences have instilled in me a passion to follow my career objective and thrive in a small business and entrepreneurial environment.

 
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