Nate Rhondeau, Florida Warrington MBA Class of 2027
Age: 30
Hometown: Crozet, VA
Undergraduate Institution and Major: College of William and Mary, Economics
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Out of undergrad, I was unsure of what I wanted. I had a degree in Economics, a background in construction, and a love for meeting people and building connections. I thought that translated well into the construction industry and so I took a job as a Business Lead and Project Manager for a custom home builder in Charlottesville, VA. During my time there, I primarily focused on establishing a new business venture in hazardous waste removal for the managing partners. I balanced this with helping to manage onsite operations for multiple custom home builds. During the week, I worked coordinating subs, executing plans, and supervising client relations. On the weekends, I would fly or drive to new states to make sure we were fully licensed for the asbestos, mold, and lead removal startup. I spent a little over a year doing this before deciding to pivot to a job that allowed for more career growth.
For the past 5.5 years, I have worked in the software tech sector for a company called CoConstruct. Our construction management software solution was designed to help builders manage their day-to-day operations, coordinate employees, reduce financial mistakes, and facilitate a better understanding of WHY the project was over budget or past due (if you have ever built your own home, you know that encountering one of the two is inevitable). My job was to analyze their process in quarterly Business Reviews and make recommendations that combined financial modeling, project workflow redesign, and technology adoption. Ultimately, I strove to equip leadership teams with actionable strategies that could directly improve profitability, scalability, and organizational resilience.
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
I wanted to become a leader. I’ve spent my work career as a top performer and have excelled at the positions I have taken up to this point. However, I felt that there was more I could learn about how a business functions and the decisions needed to achieve a profitable outcome. Additionally, CoConstruct was acquired by our largest competitor, and I felt that the opportunities for leadership positions within the acquiring company were scarce at best.
Why did you choose Florida Warrington? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
This may sound cliché, however the strongest deciding factor was, and is, the people. Of course, Florida Warrington’s reputation as a top public institution, the return on investment possibilities, their incredible Career Services department, and a well-connected alumni network played a factor. However, when I met with Dr. Naz Erenguc (Director of Admissions) and Jared Rizzo (Associate Director of Career Services) on a campus visit in the fall of 2024, I felt that they truly had my best interests at heart. This mattered more than the statistics as I had felt “lost in the shuffle” with other major institutions I had investigated. I spent 45 minutes talking to Jared after the campus tour about his Ph.D. research, family, the school, and goals for the future. I enjoyed the conversation so much that I lost track of time and almost missed my flight!
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2027?
My ability to network and bring people together. Our cohort is small but mighty, and even though we have only known each other for 2 weeks there is already a willingness to help others and a common goal of helping fellow students find jobs and succeed in the program.
I bring an ability to quickly make friends and forge connections from years in tech consulting with a demographic of clients (homebuilders) who are oftentimes averse to meeting new people and learning new products. This strong suit has already begun to aid me in meeting potential employers and I plan to utilize this skill to not only facilitate my own career goals but my classmates.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
My favorite animal is the peregrine falcon for a multitude of reasons. “Peregrine” means engaged in or traveling on a pilgrimage, which was later broadened to “wandering.” I would like to live abroad for my career eventually and adopt the characteristics of a peregrine falcon (the only animal known to live on 6 continents). Additionally, the peregrine falcon is the fastest animal on planet earth, reaching speeds of 240 mph in flight. In business, you have to be agile as a leader and make calculated decisions with a time constraint looming.
(Also my favorite book growing up was “My Side of the Mountain” so I always thought birds of prey were cool!)
Post-MBA career interests:
To start, a Leadership Development Program with a large firm / Fortune 500 company. Within 5 years, a leadership role at said company.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Meet with the Florida Warrington, or any MBA program’s, admissions team in person! You can tell a lot about a program just by the way they conduct themselves face-to-face. It may require a long drive or a flight to facilitate, however you will be spending the next 2 years entrusting them to make you ready for the business world. That is a huge responsibility and one that I would not entrust to someone I can’t foresee shepherding me in the right direction.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I was able to correct this mistake from previous years but APPLY ROUND 1. If you are serious about a program or could envision yourself attending the school, do not wait for later rounds to submit your application. MBA programs highly prioritize Round 1 candidates and the scholarship opportunities only dwindle the longer you wait.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
If I could have skipped taking the GMAT I absolutely would have. I understand the importance of a standardized test but juggling a full-time job with 60+ hour / week obligations AND studying for the first time in nearly a decade was challenging. I felt that my attention was divided, and I am someone who prefers to give 100% of myself to a single venture. What helped me get through it was the support of my friends and family, a detailed planner, and a mandatory excursion into nature once a week to clear my head.
What is your initial impression of the Warrington students/culture/community?
I have been blown away by the ethics and preparedness of the program, specifically the students and Career Services. Within the first week of orientation, it was clear that this was a school where tradition mattered, climbing the ladder through nefarious means was unacceptable, and hard work was rewarded.
What student organizations have you joined/are you hoping to join and why?
I would like to join the MBAA which is essentially our student council here at Warrington. My forte is connecting people of all backgrounds and it also allows me the opportunity to establish myself as a leader in my cohort.
What is one thing you have learned about Warrington that has surprised you?
The pace. I was prepared to dive in headfirst, however in today’s job market and MBA climate there is an expectation that the minute you step on campus the clock starts ticking.
I would also say the credentials of our faculty. We have some of the sharpest minds teaching us and while I knew that to be the case going in, I was still impressed sitting in my first week of classes and listening to the backgrounds of our professors.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I am really looking forward to National Black [MBA Association] and traveling with my cohort to meet with potential employers in Houston. This is a wonderful opportunity to sell myself and interact with the type of professional I would like to become one day.
