Issac Gebre-Michael

Hello! I am Issac Gebre-Michael, I am currently in my first year pursuing an MBA at the University of Georgia.I am also working full-time while taking night classes simultaneously as a Software Developer at General Motors. I received my undergraduate degree at the University of Colorado, with a double major in Finance and Information Management. Growing up as a first generation Ethiopian American in a family that contains 12 siblings, my parents instilled the core values of looking out for one another and caring for each other. In response to most people’s facial expressions once I tell them I am the second youngest in a family of 12, I tend to joke by saying I have been on a football team my entire life. Being one of the younger siblings in my opinion was actually an advantage, as I learned when to follow, as well as when to lead depending on the situation. As you can imagine, there is just about every type of personality present in my family; however, the personality that’s the strongest and I strive so hard to emulate is my father’s.
My father, against all odds as a foreign immigrant, opened up and maintains a successful local small business. Not knowing a single soul in the United States, my father pursued a living in the US with hopes of a better life for his children. It was a completely selfless act, he has been able to provide so much for his children that I often find it hard to fathom. He is the sole bread winner of the household, and somehow managed to pay the tuition for six of his children to attend a major university. Growing up, I would often only see him in the mornings prior to school and at church on Sundays due to the extensive hours he worked throughout the week. I never heard him complain once, his humble attitude and hard-work can only be admired by those who know him. He has always been the one in my corner, pushing me to strive for greatness and making sure that I never settle. I use his story as motivation in my everyday life.