Portland State University

Jason Kallingal (MBA '12)

Many students who go back to school to earn their MBA are intent on making a specific career change. And some students, like 2012 MBA alum, Jason Kallingal, enter the program unsure of which industries or job positions they want to pursue. In Jason's case, he started the program simply knowing that he wanted to try something different — and have a significant impact on his community.

Before coming to PSU to pursue his MBA, Jason owned and managed Paccini's, an on-campus restaurant. As successful as the venture was, though, he knew he would ultimately outgrow his restaurant. So he decided to join the part-time MBA program to explore his options. 

One of the most rewarding parts of my MBA experience has been helping to launch the PSU Women In Business group. This group, whose goal is to provide networking, mentoring, and educational opportunities to female business students, hosted two happy hours and a Women In Business Faculty Career Panel.

Sunshine MorrisonThe Career Resource Management team at the School of Business provides students with many career exploration opportunities, including seminars, executive roundtables and career panels.

I recently had the opportunity to moderate the Careers in Marketing Panel, which featured accomplished professionals from a variety of roles within the marketing field.

During this popular panel, panelists discussed topics from the hiring process to corporate culture. In addition to questions from the moderator, panelists answered questions from the audience.

The past year and a half in the MBA program here at Portland State has been transformational, to say the least.

It would be impossible for me to try to quantify or prioritize everything that I have learned and the ways I have grown. So as 2012 comes to a close, I thought I would look back on some of my favorite posts and reflect on a few of the lessons I learned from my time as the official Portland State MBA blogger…