Gina Getonga
Health Sector MBA+ MS in Digital innovation Nairobi, Kenya“I chose the MBA+ MS in Digital innovation because I wanted to increase my skill set in big data analytics. The curriculum helped me to not only do that but also to transition from technology sales into IT analytics and operations.”
Boston University is all in the family for Gina Getonga. Her brother received his undergraduate degree at BU, and the Feld Center for Industry Alliances helped him to develop a network that eventually landed him a job at a Fortune 500 firm. “I was inspired by that story and wanted to attend a school with a strong career center.”
Born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya, Gina moved to the US seven years ago to earn an undergraduate degree in marketing and sales at the University of Connecticut. Following graduation, she worked in sales for CDW-G. Her clients were chief technology officers and superintendents for some of the biggest K-12 charter and public schools in Virginia, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia.
After growing her book of business by more than 160 percent, Gina decided to pursue a career in IT analytics and operations. “I wanted to be part of the technological implementation and execution process, rather than on the sidelines.” At Questrom, she enrolled in the MBA+ MS in Digital innovation (MBA+ MSDi) dual degree program to develop her skills in big data analytics.
During an internship at Optum, UnitedHealth Group’s digital arm, Gina worked as a systems business analyst with the Microsoft SharePoint team. “The internship gave me insight into Kanban and Agile methodologies used to assess big data and measure progress for a large organization,” says Gina. As a result, she is currently seeking a job in IT data analytics or IT operations.
Gina immersed herself in a wide range of opportunities at Questrom. She served as a web designer and marketing analyst for BU’s School of Social Work, the VP of operations for the Graduate Business Technology Club, the VP of marketing and communications for the Questrom Graduate Students of the African Diaspora, and a business intelligence analyst for Questrom’s newly formed Office of Diversity and Inclusion. “I enjoy advising my international peers by sharing my own experiences as an international student and my career trajectory. My perspective has also been helpful when discussing topics of concern for international students.”
Additionally, as an MBA Admissions Ambassador, she enjoyed interacting with prospective students—including her brother, who has returned to BU to attend Questrom as well. “Mentoring and guiding him and his peers has definitely been a highlight of my Questrom experience.”