Kevin Salvatore, Maryland Smith MBA Class of 2028
Age: 27
Hometown: Garrett Park, MD
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Towson University, Public Health
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Facilities Financial Specialist, Government Contracting, Maximus, 3 years
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
I wanted to attend business school to sharpen my skills and understanding that I acquired in the professional world.
Why did you choose UMD Smith? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I chose Smith for a number of different reasons, geographically, Smith is located between DC and Northern Virginia. With this, I was putting myself in between some of the largest hubs for financial services, Government contractors, and Public Policy firms. Additionally, Smith recently revamped their curriculum with the focus on AI. This stood out to me as the business world is evolving and adopting AI and I wanted to be a part of that.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2028?
I come into the class of 2028 with a very practical view of finance from the government contracting world. For three years I managed budgeting, vendor negotiations, and variance analysis for a large federal facilities portfolio, so I’ve actually sat in the room where these numbers get used to make decisions. I think the real world operational lens is something I can bring to a class full of more traditional finance and consulting backgrounds.”
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
The creator of the show “The Vampire Diaries” based his two main characters off my dad and my uncle!
Post-MBA career interests:
I’m looking to move into financial analyst or FP&A roles, ideally somewhere in the DC-Virginia area. Government contracting and financial services are my top interests since they build naturally on the budget and vendor work I did at Maximus, but I’m using the MBA to round out the technical side as well as connect with some people who are where I want to be in the future!
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
My advice to anyone considering an MBA would be to do your research. Find a program that aligns with you and your goals most, and then speak to someone at that program or someone who graduated from it. You’ll get some great perspective and confirmation of your curiosities.
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Ask as many questions as possible on your consultation calls, informational calls, and interviews. You’re doing yourself a disservice if you have questions and don’t ask them!
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
If I had to change something, I would have applied earlier. Because I was a later addition to the class of 2028 I had a lot of pre-class work to get done in a smaller time frame. If you’re interested in getting an MBA, consultation calls are free and help create a clearer image of if it’s right for you!
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
I don’t know that there is a portion I would skip if I’m being honest! I feel as though my research and application cycles helped me learn about myself and what I was looking for out of an MBA. I learned through the entire process and am thankful for each lesson that came with it.
What is your initial impression of the UMD Smith students/culture/community?
My first impression is that the community is genuinely strong. There’s a large alumni base that’s eager to help, and the students I’ve met so far have been fantastic to collaborate with, coming from all different backgrounds, which already adds a lot of perspective. The faculty have also stood out. It’s clear they’re experts in what they teach, and that shows in how they engage with students
What student organizations have you joined/are you hoping to join and why?
I haven’t officially joined a club yet, but I’m planning to get involved with the VC & Finance Club. It lines up directly with my interest in moving into FP&A and finance roles, and I’m looking forward to learning more about that side of the industry alongside people who share the interest.
What is one thing you have learned about UMD Smith that has surprised you?
One of the things that got me excited about Smith is that AI isn’t just a buzzword here. Faculty are actually building it into how students learn. I’ve gotten to see some of that up close through my work in career services, as well as in the classroom. Because AI is changing the way we do business, it makes sense that Smith is putting an emphasis on it as well.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I’m really excited to be working with so many people from so many different places. My cohort is very diverse and I feel like I can learn something from everybody.
