Virginia Tech MBA

Today, we're excited to highlight Jay Kang, VT MBA '25! Jay currently works as a manager at Venture Global.

Jay decided to pursue his MBA with us after twenty years in the workforce. By that time, he was an established professional juggling family and work commitments. "When I decided to go back to school at forty-something, I needed a program that wouldn't ask me to quit my job or pretend I didn't have a family," he shares. "Virginia Tech's MBA was one of the few programs that actually understood working professionals aren't just students who happen to have jobs. We're professionals trying to level up without blowing up our lives."

During his time in the VT MBA program, Jay balanced family responsibilities, managed a team spread across the country, and attended in-person MBA classes two nights per week. Successfully balancing all of these commitments taught him about his own ability to persevere. "I'm more resilient than I thought, and my family deserves awards for patience," he says. "Walking across that stage [at graduation] proved something bigger than earning letters after my name. It proved that investing in yourself at any age creates ripples in everyone you lead. And if an immigrant kid who thought he'd 'arrived' can go back and reinvent himself at forty-something, anyone can." Today, Jay is continuing to challenge himself and grow professionally and academically as a student in Virginia Tech's Master of Information Technology program.

Jay found that his time in the MBA program helped to elevate his skills as a leader. "My team's engagement scores jumped 17 points in six months. Not because I worked harder, but because VT taught me to see what people could become before they saw it themselves. The program proved that the real ROI isn't climbing the ladder faster; it's building ladders for others."

As a student who began the program with decades of work experience, Jay has helpful advice for established professionals who are considering going back to school to pursue their MBA. "Stop asking yourself if it's 'too late' and start asking if you're ready to be uncomfortable for a few years," he says. "The professors have real-world experience, your classmates become genuine allies (not just networking contacts), and that slight panic you feel right before starting? That's just growth knocking. Answer the door."

Learn more about starting your own MBA journey at Virginia Tech: https://mba.vt.edu/

Join the Trust for the National Mall for a monumental conversation with MBA Alumni Erica Jeffries Purdo and Cindy Willmann!

This April 7th, see one of the many paths our incredible MBA alumni have taken post-graduation. Alumna Cindy, MBA '14, is part of the organization Trust for the National Mall, hosting numerous "Monumental Conversation" events. Their upcoming event features a panel of women who have served our nation with distinction, including our own Erica, MBA '14. Panelists will share their experiences in service as well as their perspectives on leadership and the important role of women in the military. The conversation will also focus on the memorials that honor military service on the National Mall and the commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary. This panel is not only an opportunity to celebrate women's accomplishments, but also a way to learn more about our alumni, their unique stories, and their connection to the D.C. area and beyond. To connect with our network of alumni and get free tickets for this event, use the code COMPTIX at checkout.

Seating is limited, so reserve your sponsorship or tickets now!
https://nationalmall.org/calendar/a-monumental-conversation-honoring-americas-250th