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Laquita Mitchell
Accounting Manager
University-Industry Demonstration Partnership, Inc. (UIDP)
Program/Concentration: Jack Welch MBA
PLEASE SHARE MORE ABOUT YOUR PROFESSIONAL ROLE AND RESPONSIBLITIES.:
In my role as an Accounting Manager, it is solely my responsibility to ensure the accuracy and integrity of all financial transactions. I identify and resolve accounting discrepancies affecting the accuracy of data reported to the federal government and UIDP’s stakeholders. I uphold and enforce the local, state, and federal regulations and policies that govern the use of grant and organization funding sources. I strategically create and update accounting processes to streamline and allow for a more efficient and effective flow. I protect the financial intricacies of multiple projects with high-impact strategies between universities and industry professionals.
WHY WERE YOU LOOKING TO GET AN MBA?:
I always knew that I wanted to be more, but I did not know what path I needed to take to make it happen, but the JWMI admissions representative helped me realize how to get there. As I embarked on this JWMI Leadership journey, I had doubts about whether I could be an effective leader, but I knew that I wanted to share the support and words of wisdom from former managers. I did not know what to expect; I just knew that I wanted to grow in my career and that being an active part of management was where I wanted to end up eventually. After the first course, I was excited to dive deeper into this journey and learn more about myself and how to lead others.
HOW HAS THE JWMI CURRICULUM HELPED YOU IN YOUR CAREER?
Although I was not a leader or a member of management when I started my journey at JWMI, the first course provided genuine insight into what makes a great effective leader, so I was able to embody those characteristics to prepare me for my future role. Every assignment was geared towards a real-life situation and possible experiences that you may encounter. The practices I have applied in my job are analyzing financial data, creating and implementing processes, mapping out strategies that require improvement, and presenting the issues in a way that displays urgency.
HOW DID YOU NAVIGATE JOB, FAMILY, AND WORK? WHAT STRATEGIES DID YOU IMPLEMENT TO GET IT DONE?:
When I started this journey, I knew that it would be just that, a journey. Being a mother, wife, full-time employee, and student, I wore many hats, but it was well worth it. I do everything I do for the benefit of my family, and I do not believe that I would have been able to obtain this level in my career in such a short amount of time if not for the JWMI MBA program. I had the support of my family, friends, professors, and managers, who gave me the strength I needed to continue this journey. I missed a few events, but I often took my computer to practice and even submitted work on holidays. I was dedicated to starting and finishing strong, so the sacrifice was worth it. One of the strategies that helped me stay ahead was prioritizing assignments and discussions while ensuring I started early and gave myself time. Prioritizing and looking ahead at the syllabus was the key for me to obtain success.
WHAT’S BEEN YOUR MOST REWARDING EXPERIENCE IN THE PROGRAM?:
One of the essential takeaways from the program is not necessarily academically related but the interactions between my classmates. As I interacted with everyone, I learned from their experiences and how they have approached situations in their careers, determination, and achievements. We all have experiences from different parts of the world and various industries, but we were able to share those experiences in the forums.
The second most important takeaway was the DiSC assessment. It highlighted my willingness to collaborate and support the team, but I also had a dominant personality that others may find annoying. I became self-aware and related to any individual, whether professional or personal.
PLEASE SHARE ANY ADVICE FOR NEW STUDENTS EMBARKING ON THE MBA JOURNEY.:
The advice I would give to incoming JWMI students is to stay the course. Sometimes things will get tricky but remain focused and reach out to faculty if you ever need to. The professors for JWMI have always been available and provide fantastic feedback. All students should be patient and take their time soaking in all learnings. The journey is not just about grades but about enjoying the experience.
Connect with Laquita Mitchell on LinkedIn
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