UNC Kenan-Flagler

 

Erik Schiemann

MBA Class of 2009

Erik Schiemann

My MBA concentration: Real Estate and Finance

My internship: Summer, 2008, investment banking division of Lehman Brothers, New York City

Background

  • Born and raised in Red Wing, Minn., came to Chapel Hill from Afghanistan
  • BS in Political Economics, Michigan State University, 2000
  • Worked as an infantry officer in the U.S. Army, where he served in the Iraq war; taught in the ROTC department at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, 2000-2005
  • Left the active duty military, went on reserve status, and entered Kenan-Flagler, where he completed his first quarter of classes before being recalled by the Army for service in the war in Afghanistan, 2005-2007

Career goals

"I left the Army with the rank of Captain, a lot of leadership skills, and the ability to handle large amounts of stress and other obstacles. What I’m missing is business experience. Because I don’t have that practical experience, yet, I don’t know if I want to be a managing director in a large firm or a business owner. That knowledge will come in time. What I do know is that generally speaking, long-term, I want to be a business leader."

Why I chose UNC

  • Location
  • Top tier programs
  • Faculty
  • Emphasis on team work

Student life

"First, you can’t beat living in Chapel Hill. Second, even if you’re an introvert you can excel. There are so many ways to get involved. Every week there are two to three events you can choose to attend. The smaller class sizes mean there are very few faces you don’t know, and you get to know those people in your study group really well. Being here is just tremendously rewarding because there’s a healthy balance between work and play."

My experience of the MBA program at UNC

  • "I’m still shocked at how accessible the professors are. They care about more than their research. They offer guidance and they have the patience to stay with you until you get to the 'aha!' moment."
  • "You begin immediately applying what you’re learning. The technical is always balanced with what’s happening in real time in the real world, so you get cause and effect that’s meaningful."
  • "The team concept is a constant at Kenan-Flagler, and being part of a team has made me a more patient person. As a military leader, what I said had to be done. But in this business school everyone learns to take input. That’s a positive change."
  • "It’s very student-centered here. For example, I was invited to dinner at the dean’s house. While there, a group of students talked about strategic direction of the school. That conversation was not only encouraged, the powers that be were really listening."

The UNC Kenan-Flagler network

"Alumni are incredibly loyal. If they can’t immediately offer you a position in their company they will offer to serve as a mentor, and they’ll give you a list of other potential employers. They genuinely want to help. Anytime I’ve ever reached out to alumni I’ve gotten a response within 24 hours."

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