Jacob Zerega, UGA Terry MBA Class of 2027
Age: 24
Hometown: Ashburn, Virginia
Undergraduate Institution and Major: University of Tennessee, Knoxville – BM in Music Education
Pre-MBA Work Experience: High school Band Director, 3.5 years
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
During my time as a band director, I learned a ton about organization, operations, and problem-solving, which turned out to be my favorite part of the job. Taking inventory of what I enjoyed about my job ultimately led me down the MBA path to work on my quantitative skills to ultimately work in a space where I can let my passion for process optimization thrive.
Why did you choose Terry College of Business? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
The original factor was Terry’s ROI. Their affordable tuition, post-grad job placement rates, incredible support system, and access to the extensive Georgia alumni network checked the big-ticket items off my grad school shopping list. The Office of Student Engagement and the Career Management Center host a multitude of events to ensure our success both in and outside the classroom. Additionally, even though I’m originally from Virginia, I spent a year in Atlanta prior to my MBA and quickly fell in love with the state of Georgia. Loving where I live and my obsession with SEC football made UGA a no-brainer.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2027?
I think being an educator brings a particularly unique perspective to an MBA program. Although I may not be quite at the level as some of my peers in my quantitative skills yet, my background has given me ample experience in adaptability, management, logistics, creative problem-solving, and public speaking (specifically to 225+ teenagers!). I think that providing unique perspectives and thought processes to the MBA space will allow me to not only stand out but approach situations in new ways, sharing my adaptability and creative mindset with those around me.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I’ve begun the process of earning my Italian citizenship, which includes an Italian language exam. Thus, I’ve been studying Italian for about 8 months now! È stato già molto divertente!
Post-MBA career interests:
As of right now, my goal is to land a supply chain/operations role, but I’m taking my first year to explore different functions and industries to see what I like the most.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Getting to know students at each school I applied to! I was able to connect with several people before making my decision to ask the down-to-earth, nitty-gritty questions. I was thankful enough to connect with someone – who is now one of my closest friends at UGA – who really gave me the ins and outs of how Terry worked and what I could expect out of my two years in Athens. This really soothed my indecision and made me feel like I was already a part of the Terry family.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
Going back, I would not freak out as much. I was incredibly nervous during the application process coming from a non-traditional background, that I wouldn’t get in because I wouldn’t have the same experiences as my peers. However, I’ve learned so quickly that diversity is the keystone of an MBA program. My unique background makes me an asset to my peers in ways I couldn’t imagine during the application process.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
One thousand percent the GRE. I’m not a great test taker, I hate taking tests, and it had been about seven years since I had taken a math class. During my summer off work, I spent about 4-5 hours per day studying but felt like I was getting nowhere for months. I took my first exam and scored much lower than my original goal, forcing me to confront the upcoming application deadline. Before my second exam, I recognized that I needed a new strategy. I utilized new resources, set up a different study schedule with more frequent deadlines, and studied with a friend who was taking the exam around the same time as me. I felt much better the second time around and scored much higher, giving me the boost I needed to feel confident in my application!
What is your initial impression of the Georgia Terry students/culture/community?
Terry is truly an impressive place. I have been met with nothing but warmth, kindness, and a drive to succeed from all students and faculty. I knew that I could call upon almost every person in the program – first year, second year, or staff alike – and they would drop everything to help me with whatever I need.
What student organizations have you joined/are you hoping to join and why?
Currently, I serve as the 1st year representative for the Terry MBA/MSBA Ambassador Program, I serve as a non-voting board member for a local non-profit called HEART Music Athens, and I’m a member of Pride at Terry. It’s important for me to stay involved with the Terry community so I can continue to build my leadership skills, stay involved with my school and surrounding community, and continue foster relationships with my peers.
What is one thing you have learned about Georgia Terry that has surprised you?
It surprised me how invested and integrated the Admissions team, Career Management Center, and Student Engagement office is with our experience. My idea of grad school has always been putting your head down and studying all the time, but the MBA team at Terry has incorporated so many resources, activities, clubs, and events to diversify our experience in B school.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
This’ll sound super corny, but I’m the most excited to learn. I tell people all the time that I could stay a student for the rest of my life and be happy. There are so many subjects and niche interests I’m curious about that taking classes again has me giddy to learn.
