M.B.A. Gives Turkish Alumnus the Skills to Manage Engineering Projects More Effectively

Meet Erdem Kurtmen

Job title: Special Project Engineer and Project Business Analyst
Employer: Guralp Crane and Machine Construction Industry and Trade Inc.
Degrees earned: M.B.A with a concentration in international business, Point Park University, 2013, and Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, University of Suleyman Demirel, 2009
Grad school activities: Secretary of Graduate Student Association, Graduate Assistant and Global Trivia Bowl
Hometown and current residence: Ãzmir, Turkey
Hobbies/interests: Snowboarding, swimming and innovation
LinkedIn: Erdem Kurtmen

As a native of Turkey, what factors made you choose Point Park University?

After finishing my undergraduate degree, I gained two years of work experience in engineering but I still felt I had not yet had opportunities to bring out the best in me. As such, I decided to study overseas.

Choosing the right M.B.A. school is both an exciting and daunting task. The most essential qualities to me are reputation, the quality of teaching and the location of a school - all of which are difficult to judge from overseas. As a graduate of an M.B.A. program, you want to be assured that your degree will be recognized and respected around the world. I chose Point Park University because it is recognized and its location is in Downtown Pittsburgh.

As an engineer, why did you decide to pursue an M.B.A. and how has the degree helped you?

In the real world, organizations need a perfect management strategy and some financial policies to kick-start their economic income. Having technical knowledge along with the right management skills is a perfect combination. Skills, knowledge and abilities are all underlying factors behind a person's successful career. An M.B.A. degree is another feather in the hat of an engineer who wishes to have a bright future.

An engineering degree teaches you how to apply your knowledge practically. An M.B.A. degree teaches you how to manage people with engineering degrees who are going to be working for you. My own M.B.A. studies gave me many ideas on how to approach a variety of projects more effectively.

What were some of your favorite experiences during your time at Point Park?

My experiences as an M.B.A. student were incredible. The study environment at Point Park is brilliant and the library staff members are very kind in helping students do their research.

Also, I met a lot of people from all around the world. I have amazing friends and in many ways, we became family. We supported each other, we did almost everything together and we always had a lot of fun. I learned that even if we speak in different languages and are from different countries and cultures, we are not so different from each other.

What was it like being an international student in Pittsburgh?

Pittsburgh is one of the most affordable and accommodating places for international students to live and work. The city transportation operates very well and people from Pittsburgh are so nice and friendly. People don't look at you like a stranger. I lived in Pittsburgh two years but in my opinion it was like an experience of 20 years.

What are your career goals?

My career goal is to add maximum value to my company in the shortest time, to win the confidence of my company and to become the best professional in my field for my company. My long-term goal is to one day operate and own an engineering firm that would produce intelligence products.

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