Bruce Reid

Bruce Reid is a senior from Newport News, Virginia. I will obtain a dual degree in Management (EIT - Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Technology) and Finance (Corporate Financial Management) with a minor in International Business.

We recently asked him to share his experiences as a Management major and Pamplin School Business student.

Q: Why did you select Virginia Tech and the Management (MGT) program?

A: I choose Virginia Tech because of the principles it stands for. UT Prosim is how I live every day because that is my passion of serving the community. I knew that even though Virginia Tech was a large state institution, it is a small tight knit community that I wanted to be a part of. I chose management because both of my parents were their own bosses in their professions. I learned at a young age that I also wanted to eventually be like them and be a leader.

Q: Were there any specific classes that you remember as validating your major choice?

A: Managerial Analytics with Dr. Carlson, Ethical Leadership with Dr. Jamison, Developing Entrepreneurial Ventures with Ron Poff, and Career Planning for Management Majors with Barry O’Donnell.

Q: Is there a faculty member or staff member within Pamplin and/or the MGT department that served as a mentor or source of inspiration for you during your journey?

A: Barry O’Donnell

Q: Did you have an internship during your Pamplin journey?

A: The first internship I obtained was working for the Vice President of Finance at Virginia Tech. It was a rotational program that I was able to work with the Budget & Financial Planning, Capital Assets & Financial Management, and Internal Audit. It was great internship because I was able to experience a wide variety business lines that enhanced what I learned in the classroom.

My second internship was working with the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond as a National IT intern. This was a great opportunity because I was able to see a new perspective in information technology that I have never experienced. Additionally, it allowed me to build a strong network and grow professionally.

Q: What advice would you provide to an incoming Pamplin freshman?

A: To get involved in your community no matter if you never done or experienced it. Talk to your elders (e.g. Professors, older classmates) because they have most likely experienced what you are going through and they are great resources. Also, utilize the resources that Virginia Tech has. Whether it is using the college success center or talking with academic advisors, Virginia Tech is a national brand that is known throughout the country. Be proud of Hokie Nation and take full advantage of it.

Q: What was your inspiration for leadership?

A: I was always inspired by my parents to be a leader. I loved the fact that they positively make changes in their community and inspire the people around them. Just like them I wanted to do the same thing.

Q: How did you approach your job search?

A: I approached the job search at the start of the summer before my senior year. Even though I started my internship at the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, I wanted to keep my options open, so I reached out to peers, who worked in different industries, LinkedIn, and talked with my parents if they knew anybody who was in business. I figured it was better to start the process early because you will have a competitive advantage over other candidates because it shows that you are proactive and interested in the company. I made a list consisting of what companies I was interested in, people who worked within those companies, and researched the company’s website about job opportunities because they normally post jobs for the upcoming year during the summer.

Q. Any other words of wisdom or insights that you would like to provide us about you, your journey, the value of your education?

A: Never stop networking because you never know if you will run into that person again and they can help or break your career. I have discovered that networking is one of the main reasons I was able to get the internship and job opportunities that I had. Another tidbit I would add is find out what you are passionate about. If you are passionate, you will love what you are doing and be more motivated to do the tasks, which can ultimately make you more successful.

As I reflect on my time on the Management Student Advisory Board, I think back freshman year when I received an email my second semester about being nominated to join MSAB. I did not know what to expect, but I knew their mission of building the bridge between the faculty and students and to improve the curriculum and experience for current and future students was something I wanted to be a part of. This pushed me to get involved in other organizations and clubs around Tech that I thought I would have never joined. Virginia Tech has been ripe with opportunities for me in both small ways and large, challenging me to not only be a better student, but a better human being.

Q: What’s next?

A: I will be working for Disney as a financial analyst for Parks & Resorts in Orlando, Florida