An MBA alumna reflects on Daniels’ role in making connections among international students
Gig Preedeewet in a graduation stoll
Kotchakorn (Gig) Preedeewet (MBA 2024) spent her first week in the Daniels College of Business full-time Denver MBA program quarantined with COVID-19. Despite the inauspicious beginning, the international student from Thailand soon found herself at home.
“Our cohort of 20 students were close. I joined the Asian Student Alliance, which included both undergrad and grad students and all majors from DU. The alliance had community volunteering opportunities and events to promote cultural awareness,” she said.
Preedeewet arrived at the University of Denver with a degree in accountancy from Thammasat University in Bangkok, Thailand, and working experience in auditing and taxation. Preedeewet said she acquired practical skills at Daniels through classes like Financial Planning and Analysis, taught by Mac Clouse, a professor in Daniels’ Reiman School of Finance.
“I learned things I never knew before, like preparing forecasts using models. It has been useful in real life. I liked the way Mac taught. He was funny and made it enjoyable,” she said. “Before exams, he said we could go to his office and ask about things we missed or didn’t understand.”
Additionally, the MBA program provided her with opportunities to work on real-world challenges.
“I went back to Thailand to intern for my cousin’s coffee supply company. I performed forecasting and cash flow projections, which is related to what I’m doing now. As part of an MBA class, I went to South Africa to research new business lines for a solar energy company that was looking to expand,” she said.
A power outage, common in South Africa, occurred while Preedeewet and her classmates were in a department store. The experience reinforced their understanding of the solar energy company’s relevance to South Africans.
Now, with a deeper knowledge of data analysis and financial modeling, she’s providing cash-flow projections and other services as an accountant at KB Custom Ag Services in northern Colorado. The small family-owned-and-operated company offers agricultural harvesting services.
Before her job interview last fall, Preedeewet availed herself of research and interviewing support from Daniels Career Services, which made a crucial difference in her landing the job. She credited associate director and career coach Lynn Rooney with giving her “tons of job interview tips” and running mock interviews to help her practice.
Clouse recalled Preedeewet coming to his office to discuss projects and career plans.
“We encourage international students to talk to their professors. Gig was in my office a lot. She would get guidance on things she was working on, and then I’d see her again and review her progress,” he said.
Clouse said Preedeewet worked hard on her assignments.
“It was nice to see the degree of effort she put in. Not only did she work hard, but she got great results,” he said.
Clouse said inside and outside the classroom, Preedeewet engaged by connecting with her cohort and contributing to group projects and collaborations.
Post-graduation, a challenge for Preedeewet is her temporary worker visa, which limits the time she’s allowed to stay in the U.S. Typically, the initial duration of an H-1B visa classification is three years. It may be extended for a maximum of six years. With a Daniels degree, she is optimistic she can make it work.
“It’s harder to get a job here as an international student because companies prefer someone who can work with them long term,” she said. “Connections are important in the U.S. Fortunately, DU hosts events where you can meet alumni and connect with hiring companies.”
We encourage international students to talk to their professors. Gig was in my office a lot. She would get guidance on things she was working on, and then I’d see her again and review her progress.