Jameelah Muhammad uses education and experience to pave her path

Jameelah Muhammad always knew she wanted to achieve a master’s degree. When the time came to start investigating options, she was at a crossroads as to which subject to study and to which schools to apply.

The Memphis, Tenn. native had multiple interests, including law, business strategy, career development, and economics. Ultimately, she discovered that a career in Human Resources would complement them all. When it came to schools, she researched the top ten Human Resource programs in the county. “The Carlson School of Management’s program was consistently amongst the top three schools,” she says. “After applying and becoming accepted, admissions reached out to me immediately and asked if there was anything they could do to help inform me about my options.”

Since enrolling, the second-year Human Resources and Industrial Relations major is extremely pleased with her decision to attend the Carlson School.

One of the aspects of the school that she enjoys is the diversity. “I have always enjoyed being surrounded by people of diverse views, backgrounds, and paths,” she says. “At the Carlson School, I have been very fortunate to learn in a classroom environment that is a reflection of the global economy.”

Jameelah isn’t new to a classroom setting of diverse students, however. Before entering the Carlson School, she taught economics and finance at a Memphis inner-city high school. “I learned so much about service, the human capacity for compassion and that all children require someone – anyone to believe in their dreams with them. I was able to break down barriers of communication and help them see that reaching their fullest potential was definitely possible. The experience completely changed who I am and how I view myself.”

Thanks to Jameelah’s instruction and encouragement, many of her former students are now attending college on academic scholarships. The very scholarships she told them were possible to obtain.

Recently, she interned at Chevron Corporation in San Ramon, Calif. where she used the resources and education gained from the Carlson School to enhance her experience. Reflecting on her internship, she says, “I know that going forward I will be able to use not just what I learned in classes, but what I have learned through interaction with students and teachers.”

While she started at a crossroads, Jameelah, now well accomplished in and out of the classroom, knows she has great potential. When asked what path she’ll take in the future, she confidently says, “I definitely want to get involved in community service that aids people from low income areas in acquiring skills needed to achieve employment and a quality standard of living.”

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