Major: Finance and operations and supply chain
Hometown: Cincinnati

Advice for incoming students: Advice I would give to incoming Moore students would be to seek ways to get out of your comfort zone because you never know where it may lead you. 

What I’ve learned about myself: I think that an important skill I learned at the Moore School is how to approach solving problems from multiple perspectives, understanding that there can be more than one solution depending on context. 

A favorite memory: My favorite Moore School memory was working an event at the Moore School and having the opportunity to speak with two former governors of South Carolina. 

What’s next? I will be moving back to Cincinnati to join the audit staff at Deloitte

Major: Finance and real estate
Hometown: Fort Mill, South Carolina

Advice for incoming students: Freshman year fall semester get involved in 6-8 clubs or organizations. In the following spring semester, drop most of those, leaving 2-3 clubs or organizations, then get more deeply involved in those to gain leadership experience.  

What I've learned about myself: I have learned many leadership skills through my coursework, extracurriculars, study abroad and internships that I have used to inspire more leaders on campus and will use in my future career.  

A favorite memory: Having the opportunity to share my experiences and give tours of the Moore School to prospective students.

What's next: To be determined! 

Stephen Fredenberg (left) with
classmates in Sydney

Major: International business and finance, South Carolina Honors College
Hometown: Tega Cay, South Carolina

How the university changed my life: USC provided me with an extensive education in business, opportunities to grow and long-lasting friendships. As an international business and finance major and a student in the Honors College, I have been able to take advanced coursework in topics that will translate well to my career in consulting.

Advice for incoming students: Get involved early and take full advantage of all the opportunities available at the university. During my  four years, I have benefited from studying abroad at Esade Business School (Barcelona, Spain), competing in international case competitions (Sydney, Australia and Dublin, Ireland), being a part of the Carolina Finance Scholars Program, joining numerous student groups (Moore School Ambassador Program, Phi Chi Theta Business Fraternity, Gamecock Consulting Club, Student Alumni Board) and more. Each of these experiences has impacted me positively and as I look back I am glad I sought them out.

What I’ve learned about myself: I have come out of my shell and gotten involved which has played a big role in my personal and professional development. In order to grow, it is important to put yourself in situations where you may not be the most confident or have all the right skills. One skill I did not fully possess was public speaking, as it was nerve-wracking and difficult for me. I tried to focus on improving and going after opportunities where I would have to speak in front of large groups. Constantly learning and practicing public speaking in my leadership positions has paid off and, most recently, as director of the Moore School Ambassador Program, I spoke in front of over 1,500 prospective students and parents.

 A favorite memory: In fall 2022 I had the honor of representing the Moore School in the University of Technology Sydney Global Case Competition. This was a great opportunity to compete against 16 teams from across the globe and apply my business acumen to problems in the health care and insurance fields.

What’s next: I will work full-time for Ernst & Young as a financial services consultant in Charlotte, North Carolina, in its business development representative program.

Major: Marketing
Hometown: Greenville, South Carolina

How the university changed my life: From living in the South Tower with some of the best people in the world to cheering to Sandstorm in the student section at every single home football game to getting my first C ever in one of the most challenging finance classes, this school has shaped me into the confident, resilient and driven woman I am today.

Advice for incoming students: Put yourself out of your comfort zone as much as possible. If I didn't put myself out there I would never have met amazing professors and friends and I wouldn't have learned so much about myself. This is an amazing university so you should take advantage of all of the resources offered.

Who played a key role  in my success: Beth Renninger and Chris Pardi. If it wasn't for these professors I would have never joined the Carolina Sales Institute organization. They were not only my professors but my mentors and my friends. They have always given me unconditional support and have helped me discover my passion for sales and obtain my dream job after college.

A favorite memory: Attending one of my very first Carolina Sales Institute events which was the Sell Yourself Workshop. This event was on the roof of the Darla Moore School of Business and it was truly beautiful. I was able to learn many sales skills and advice through the corporate sponsors who were running the event. I knew there was an elevator pitch competition at the end of the day. I was super nervous but I knew I had to put myself out of my comfort zone, so I volunteered and ended up winning second place and a $200 gift card. This experience allowed me to gain confidence in myself and my skills and I even used the money to buy myself a kicking pair of white boots.

What’s next: I will be moving to Austin, Texas, to start my sales career at NetSuite Oracle's headquarters.

 Major: Finance and operations and supply chain
Hometown: Columbia, South Carolina

How the university changed my life: USC has given me so many friends who I will know for the rest of my life. As a South Carolina native, I have met so many people from all over the country and the world that I am now connected with and will remain friends with. I can honestly say that I know who my future groomsmen will be just from my four years at USC.

Advice for incoming students: Do not limit yourself to one friend group or clique. Go out and make as many friends as humanly possible and make sure you keep their information. I now have a massive network going into the workforce that will be an asset for my career.

What I’ve learned about myself: Having graduated from a very small high school, I felt very small coming into USC. However, it turned out to be great, and my interpersonal skills have only skyrocketed from being around thousands of people. It has also helped me become a humbler person, which is priceless.

What organization helped me: Rushing my fraternity, Sigma Phi Epsilon, has been the driving force in my character development. The older brothers who have graduated before all have stellar jobs, great relationships and happy lives. There is nothing more you can ask for from a group of friends, coming together to build each other up.

A favorite memory: One of the best memories of my time at USC was when USC beat Texas A&M in “Willy B” this past season. The very first play was a Gamecock kick return, and they blacked out the stadium with red lights. The student section was going ballistic, and I don't think my heart-rate has ever been higher.

What’s next? I am interning for U.S. Rep. William Timmons, who represents the South Carolina Upstate, and will be pursuing a full-time position in his office or another office in Washington, D.C. I am hoping to become a policy advisor involving budget, finance, commerce and other business-related topics.

 Major: Finance and risk management and insurance
Hometown: Laurel, Maryland

How the university changed my life? USC has helped open up opportunities, provided professional experiences, allowed me to form lifelong relationships and made me a proud Gamecock alumna. I will forever see South Carolina as my home away from home due to the memories that made me feel loved all these years.

Advice for incoming students: Get involved but not in the way that you join everything, so that you have strong memories from what organizations you are involved in. The more you can speak on the impact you had on an organization and that it had on you will always mean more than a long list of small facts.

What I’ve learned about myself: It is OK to be loud and extravagant. Oftentimes people will appreciate this more than someone who gives minimum effort. Energy and compassion make people feel wanted and comfortable

Who played a key role in my success: [Finance associate professor] Eric Powers’ ability to lead an interactive classroom and push his students to think and ponder problems unlike they have ever done before is very inspiring. He pushed our Finance Scholars class through an intense Harvard Case Pack, and we left that semester understanding extremely technical topics. I thank him for also understanding how I learn through asking questions and his appreciation of this instead of finding this hard to deal with. I will never forget the moment I was contacted by someone from Jefferies Investment Bank, and they mentioned to me how “Dr. Powers raved about your participation and curiosity in class.” Being seen as a student like this meant the world to be, and you bet I never stopped raising my hand in my classes to come.

A favorite memory: My sorority held a weekend called "Moms’ Weekend." I got to meet all of my friends’ moms and got to spend a full weekend with my own mother and make long-lasting memories. We went to the Riverwalk, had a sorority cocktail, moms’ brunch and so many other fun things.

What’s next? I will work in New York City for JPM in the diversified industries group in the investment banking division.

Major: Accounting and finance
Hometown: Columbia, South Carolina

How the university changed my life: USC has given me the opportunity to expand my horizons and my interests more fully. I was able to meet like-minded students and faculty members who provided me a strong sense of community. I can confidently say I am nothing like the person I was when I came in as a freshman.

Advice for incoming students: I would tell incoming students to not be afraid to fail at something and to never be afraid to be seen trying. It was hard for me to put myself out there, but if I didn’t, I would have missed out on a lot of valuable experiences.

What I’ve learned about myself: I’ve learned that sometimes it’s OK to give up if you know that you are pursuing something that isn’t going to make you happy. All my life I have wanted to make goals, stick to them and completely follow through, but that isn’t always what is in your best interest as you grow and change over time. USC offers so many different paths, and you may find your interests change as you learn more about them, and that is totally OK.

Who helped me succeed: [Accounting clinical assistant] professor Timothy Baker in the accounting department definitely changed my life path. I was struggling with my career and internship decisions, and he reassured me and provided me with resources and connections to be able to find a position that was better suited to me. I am starting full time in that role this summer.

Favorite memory: One of my best friends graduated last year. We worked in the business school together, and on her graduation day, we walked around the school laughing and taking pictures. That was when I realized how short my time at USC was and how I only had one year left.

What’s next? I will start working full time at PwC as a digital assurance and transparency associate in June. I plan to move to Jacksonville, Florida.

 Major: Accounting
Hometown: Fort Mill, South Carolina

How the university changed my life: I would not be the person I am today had my mom and I not toured USC four years ago. I met my best friends here, I have fostered leadership skills in various clubs and organizations and now I have a post-grad job set up for myself.

Advice for incoming students: Get excited and stay excited! Try not to be too nervous during orientation; I met one of my best friends there. Go to First Night Carolina. Eat on campus —with your roommates, classmates or even alone — even after your first year.

A favorite memory: I was an orientation leader the summer between my sophomore and junior years and Ioved teaching incoming freshman how to do Sandstorm each morning. Seeing my orientation students on campus or at sporting events after the summer was such a treat as well.

What’s next: I’m taking a few months to study for the CPA exam before I move to Baltimore to start my position as an audit associate with RSM.

 

Program: ’23 Master of International Business  
Where you’re from: Orlando, Florida

Why did you choose the Moore School? I chose the Darla Moore School of Business because I had the opportunity to graduate debt-free with my master’s degree through combining my UPS merit scholarship with my Post 9/11 GI Bill earned through military active duty. Further, the Moore School offered many incentives for full-time working professionals, such as in-state tuition waivers for veterans, GMAT waivers and virtual information sessions.

Why did you enroll in the MIB program? As a recently separated veteran, I wanted a program that provided me with the opportunity to apply the skill-set that I developed during my professional career in an academic setting. The MIB program has given me numerous opportunities to lead, negotiate and work alongside individuals who come from outside the U.S.

What track did you study and why did you select it? Global Strategy: I chose the Global Strategy track because it provided me with the most flexibility in tailoring the MIB curriculum to my interests. 

What skills did you learn in the MIB and how do you see yourself using those skills in your forthcoming job? I developed several skills during the MIB program such as design thinking, structuring business cases, building executive consulting slide decks, international negotiations and international management. These skills, along with understanding the complexities of conducting business among other cultures and nations, will allow me to confidently succeed in my forthcoming profession.

What did you enjoy most about the MIB program and what was your favorite class and why?

What I enjoyed most about the Master of International Business program was taking the Global Competitive Analysis course with IB clinical professor Wolfgang Messner. Global Competitive Analysis was my favorite class because I had the opportunity to conduct a real-world consulting project and present my findings to UPS executives all around the world. 

What are your future career goals? My future career goal is to develop extensive expertise in Government and Public Service (GPS) consulting and lead diverse teams in solving the complex issues government agencies face. In 10 years, I see myself in a director role with Deloitte’s GPS consulting practice. 

What are some of the most valuable lessons you learned from your time at the Moore School? The most valuable lesson I learned during my time at the Moore School is to think critically about the implications of doing business internationally. Throughout my program, I learned the importance of understanding the cultural and regional implications of where you are conducting business. 

Anything else you’d like to add about your time at the Moore School or in the MIB program? The best advice I can give to younger or incoming Moore School grad students is to immerse yourself into your studies, begin the job search very early on and build good habits. I have found that the graduate students who are disciplined and prioritize their studies excel not only academically but also professionally.

What’s next? I will begin this summer as a GPS strategy consultant for Deloitte in Arlington, Virginia.

 

Program: ’23 Master of Science in Business Analytics, also an ’18 USC biology alumnus
Where you’re from: Born in Nicaragua but raised in Miami

Why did you choose the Moore School? I used to work in the marketing and communications department at the Moore School and worked firsthand with the faculty and decided to try the new and exciting MSBA program.

Why did you enroll in the MSBA program? I started out in marketing and always liked the analytics component of the job and had been looking to improve my skills, so an MSBA seemed like a natural fit especially considering all the marketing electives you can take.

What skills did you learn in the MSBA program?  Too many to name, but a few that come to mind are demand forecasting, SQL programming, advanced statistical models, Power BI, conjoint analysis and sensitivity analysis.

How do you see yourself using those skills in your forthcoming job? I already have used all those skills in my current job as a marketing consultant. I was able to predict one client’s last quarter revenue using forecasting with an error rate of less than 5 percent.

What did you enjoy most about the MSBA program? It was great working with a lot of analytical minds since normally there’s only one or a few of us at a company at any given time. It was refreshing to be around people like me for a change.

What was your favorite class and why? My favorite class had to be revenue management; it was challenging and pushed us to our limits, but it was extremely rewarding to solve the cases during that class.

What are your future career goals? My future career goals include continuing to improve my analytical skills; I plan on mastering a programming language. I also want to really develop as a consultant. I ultimately want to come back one day and be a professor, but we’ll see.

What are some of the most valuable lessons you learned from your time at the Moore School? Don’t ever doubt yourself. Some of the things we picked up in the MSBA are extremely useful and universal skills. It really is worth pushing yourself to grow as an individual despite the personal sacrifices.

Anything else you’d like to add about your time at the Moore School or in the MSBA program? For anybody interested in enhancing any skill-set related to the MSBA, it’s worth it, and you won’t regret it. The Moore School, and especially the MSBA program, include faculty who are extremely passionate about what they teach and authentically care about their students to a wholesome level.

What’s next? I’ve accepted an offer from NTT Data after graduation. I’ll be a data and analytics consultant in the Charlotte, North Carolina, office. 

Program: ’23 Master of Science in Business Analytics
Where you’re from: Hyderabad, India.

Why did you choose the Moore School? It was a perfect blend of a quality education, diverse cohort and reasonable cost along with its top-ranked programs, expert faculty and world-class infrastructure.

Why did you enroll in the MSBA program? Being a seasoned professional prior to my enrollment in the MSBA, I was looking for a program which aptly ties data analytics (science) to business. The Moore School’s MSBA program offers exactly that with its precise and well-balanced curriculum. Honestly, I couldn’t ask for more!

What skills did you learn in the MSBA program? I’ve learned how to leverage data, statistics and the analytics tool suite (From Excel to SQL, R, Power BI, Hadoop and Python) to solve business problems. More importantly, I’ve learned how to think globally and work effectively supporting diversity, equity and inclusion.

How do you see yourself using those skills in your forthcoming job? My job is going to be all about working with cross-cultural/cross-functional teams to solve nation-wide supply chain issues through automation and predictive analytics using SQL and Python.

What did you enjoy most about the MSBA program? Experiential learning, MSBA is all about that. Not to mention, the ever-supportive faculty, staff and fellow classmates at the Moore School.

What was your favorite class and why? Data Science for Business Decision-Making. It helped boost my confidence in my ability to write advanced-level code.

What are your future career goals? As my short-term goal, I aim to obtain a position that combines product management and analytics in the near future. Looking ahead for the next decade, I envision myself contributing to improving data-driven decision-making across different industries to ultimately achieve my long-term goal of becoming a chief diversity officer.

What are some of the most valuable lessons you learned from your time at the Moore School?  Learning, just as life is an ongoing process and patience is the key. I will forever be grateful to the Moore school for providing me with invaluable experience and knowledge that has helped me become a well-rounded professional data leader.

Anything else you’d like to add about your time at the Moore School or in the MSBA program? The Moore School and MSBA program has enriched my life in many ways, from enjoying football games and campus life to making lifelong friendships and professional connections, and ultimately securing a job. I am grateful for the program and will cherish these memories forever. Forever to thee!

What’s next? I used to work as a consultant with Infosys in India prior to the MSBA program, and I will be working with American Tire Distributors Inc. beginning in June as a business intelligence engineer driving initiatives to strengthen their supply chain analytics leveraging SQL and Python.

Program: ’23 MSBA, also a ‘22 MIB and ‘21 international business and operations and supply chain alumna
Where you’re from: Atlanta

Why did you choose the Moore School? I fell in love with USC and the Moore School during my undergraduate program from 2017-21. It felt only natural to continue my education here! The extraordinary faculty and curriculum have proven time and time again to be world-class, and the MSBA is no exception.

Why did you enroll in the MSBA program? The value of data analytics skills in the workplace is incredibly high right now. I was noticing more and more companies are searching for candidates with a STEM degree and experience in analytics and coding. In deciding to go back to school, it became clear that the MSBA program would be able to fulfill all those requirements. The combination of hard skills, such as advanced statistical modeling and coding, paired with soft skills, such as project management, make the program the perfect fit for any business professional looking to advance in the workplace.

What skills did you learn in the MSBA program? I learned a great deal of hard skills in the MSBA program, including advanced statistics, coding and project management theories. It is a great combination that encompasses key business needs and opportunities for future growth.

How do you see yourself using those skills in your forthcoming job? I actually already use many of these skills in my current position. I am excited for the opportunity to bring more of the concepts I have learned into my day-to-day tasks, thus, increasing the complexity and value of my job.

What did you enjoy most about the MSBA program? My Favorite part of the MSBA program is probably the diversity of the students in the program. The diverse backgrounds of my now friends allowed for great discussions in class and the opportunity to learn from one another.

What was your favorite class and why? My favorite class was probably the Practicum course we take in the spring semester. We are tasked with a semester-long project to help improve an organization. My team worked with the USC Athletics Department and had the opportunity to utilize the skills we had gained throughout the year and apply them in a real-life setting with a real client. Gaining experience like this is truly invaluable because we treated the scenario as you would an actual consulting project, meaning we also faced challenges commonly seen in the industry. It was a great opportunity to collaborate with my fellow classmates and MSBA faculty.

What are your future career goals? My long-term career goal is to end up in supply chain consulting. I like the idea of working in a fast-paced industry and applying the knowledge I have gained throughout my career to come up with the best solution for a client. In 10 years, I hope to be working for a firm such as the Eurasia Group, providing insights as an industry expert to firms around the world.

What are some of the most valuable lessons you learned from your time at the Moore School? One of the most valuable lessons I learned from my extensive time at the Moore School is that you are only as good as the people you surround yourself with. I think the caliber of students throughout the Moore School upholds such a high standard that makes you want to be a better student, friend and leader. It is easy to get swept up in the excitement of college sometimes and forget what you really came here to do, but surrounding myself with my friends from the Moore School has truly pushed me to be the best version of myself. I really think that this is one of my biggest takeaways from the program, especially after seeing my friends become so successful in their respective fields.

Anything else you’d like to add about your time at the Moore School or in the MSBA program? For such a new program, I think the MSBA has truly cemented itself as one of the most valuable degrees you can pursue at the Moore School. It is pushing the envelope on its curriculum, and faculty are always listening to the suggestions students have to offer. In addition to being a STEM program, the diversity of skills and classes give students the opportunity to become some of the most competitive candidates in the job market. I would urge anyone passionate about analytics to consider taking this next step and joining the program!

What’s next? I am a transportation analyst for Boeing. I am responsible for managing the flow of material from suppliers to Boeing facilities. I specifically help improve the current processes and perform complex data analysis to identify future opportunities for transportation optimization and improvement. I will be using many of the hard statistics and coding skills I learned in the MSBA program, mainly SQL and Dashboard Analytics (PowerBI & Tableau). The MSBA program meshed well with the work I have to perform on a day-to-day basis, and I was often able to bring in new skills I had learned in class into the office.

Program: ’23 MIB Double-Degree with the University of Mannheim (Master in Management).
Where you’re from: Mainz, Germany

Why did you choose the Moore School? The business school has a great reputation in international business and good relationships with my home university in Germany through our Double-Degree program and several undergrad co-operatives.

Why did you enroll in the MIB program? The program offered the perfect profile to supplement my management studies in Germany.

What track did you study and why did you select it? I’m studying the Global Strategy Track, as it allowed me to gain practical insights into the consulting industry and gave me the freedom to select multiple electives.

What skills did you learn in the MIB and how do you see yourself using those skills in your forthcoming job? While my program in Germany primarily focused on teaching theoretical foundations for academic work and statistics, the Moore School equipped me with valuable practical skills in the areas of mergers & acquisitions, consulting, intellectual property and corporate valuation. I will be able to use new methods such as design thinking and moderating groups of international colleagues in my future work as a strategy analyst in an international company. The business analytics classes gave me access to a broad range of statistical and data analytics tools such as SQL, Power BI and Tableau, which I never worked with before.

What did you enjoy most about the MIB program and what was your favorite class and why?
I have so many great memories when thinking about this last year, but one that really stood out was celebrating my birthday just a few weeks into the program and seeing how many of my fellow students showed up. This camaraderie and friendship in a big group carried throughout the whole year and resulted for example in amazing USC football games and a fall break trip to Puerto Rico with many MIB students. My favorite class was Intellectual Property Management with IB clinical assistant professor Dirk Brown. In all my years studying business, I never learned anything about this very important topic. I enjoyed every lecture; we had great guest speakers; and the assignments built on the relevant theoretical content.

Why did you decide to pursue the MIB Double-Degree? Going abroad was one of the most important incentives for me to pursue a master’s degree. As I had the dream to come to the U.S. for quite some time, it was self-evident for me to apply for the MIB program. The curriculum offers interesting lectures with practical learnings in a highly international environment.

What school are you attending and why did you select this school in particular? The University of Mannheim, located in southwestern Germany, Master in Management is known as one of the best programs of its field in Europe. It offered me the possibility to study in English and to gain access to the outstanding international network of partner universities. The curriculum is flexible and allows you to set your own priorities in one of several focus areas.

What are your future career goals? When I applied for the Double-Degree Program, I knew that coming to South Carolina could give me the opportunity to choose a completely different life and career path. With graduating from the Moore School, I will take the first important step and can’t wait to start working in the U.S. afterward. In 5-10 years, I see myself still working and living in the States. I want to help international companies tackle key challenges on a strategic level.

What are some of the most valuable lessons you learned from your time at the Moore School? My former position in an international banking environment built a solid foundation for an understanding of international financial markets. The MIB program added immense value by focusing on case-oriented teaching and critically assessing how companies should act in an international environment. The class environment and open discussions helped me develop my own opinions on such matters. The learnings and critical mindset are of great use as I am switching from a banking environment into a corporate role.

Anything else you’d care to share about your time in the Double-Degree program or that you think future MIB students would like to know?
Yes, it is worth the time and additional effort to pursue a second degree. It gives you the opportunity to separate yourself from others in the job market. Getting a degree in another country will also give you easy access to work and visa opportunities.

What’s next?

I'll be working as a corporate strategy analyst with Eastman Chemical in Kingsport, Tennessee, and will live in Johnson City, Tennessee.