Sydney Combs

MBA Candidate

Sam M. Walton College of Business, University of Arkansas

Table of Contents

1 Contact Info

2 About Me

3 Skills and Certificates

4 Project Portfolio

5 Project Samples

6 Extracurriculars and Volunteerism

7 My Interests and Professional Pursuits

8 Professional Background

About Me

Hi, I’m Sydney! As an MBA candidate at the University of Arkansas, I was one of less than ten recipients of the Benjamin Lever Fellowship, which focuses on increasing diversity in graduate studies. Through my tenure in the MBA program, I have gained and improved technical skills in functions such as Excel, Asana, Tableau, and Powerpoint.


Prior to pursuing an MBA I gained work experience in Washington, DC, becoming experienced in client relations and management. In various positions, I successfully managed internal teams and built out large client and issue portfolios.

Skills & Certificates

Skills

  • Technical: CRM Softwares: IQ and Quorum; Microsoft Suite and Project Manager; Google Suite; Asana; Agile Methodology
  • Client: Public Speaking; Client Pitch Creation; Risk Mitigation
  • Writing: White Papers; Research Papers; Industry Papers
  • Data: Analysis; Interpretation; Presentation; Tableau


MBA Project Portfolio

Below are samples of projects I’ve completed throughout my MBA program!

Project Highlights

  • Corporate Financial Analysis Project: Completed financial analysis of publicly traded aerospace firms and it’s competitors
    • Analysis included computing industry and firm-based financial averages, firm-wide WACC, industry WACC, RE, RF, and EVA
  • Supply Chain Map: Identified the supply chain strategy. Mapped out the supply chain of an existing product. Followed the process from sourcing, planning, and manufacturing.
  • Business Data Analytics: Through existing datasets, a team and I were able to break down predictive factors in the field of education through crafting our own data through analysis such as regression and ANOVA.
  • Managerial Accounting Forecasting Project: Performed various accounting and finance related analyses in order to predict potential success of an existing firm.
    • Analysis conducted included SWOT and WACC. Our team forecasted through processes such as NOPM and NOAT. Used ROPI method and sensitivity analysis in order to engage in valuation of the company
  • ERP Systems Labs and SimGame: Through labs and an ERPSim game, I got hands-on experience in ERP systems. Our labs and game mirror SAP. The focus leans heavily on procurement and production processes.
  • Do Good Project: Our program gives us a set amount of money for this project for us to “do good” with. We chose to create the Waste To Wealth Initiative: a completely student-led project focusing on cost saving measures, sustainability, and local sourcing of foods.
  • Business Analytics Business Decision Case Project: Our group created a fictional business dilemma that we solved through data analysis. This included conducting analysis such as regressions, creating scatterplots, and analyzing charts such as box and whisker plots.
  • Digital Twin Model: Created a model of digital twins, where I tracked the evolution of said fictional twin from start to finish.

Additional Projects and Items

  • Team Member SEC MBA Case Competition: As a member of the SEC MBA Case Competition representing the University of Arkansas, I worked with a team in a 24 hour competition to create a business solution for FedEx.
  • Case Analysis: A team and I were presented with challenges surrounding an up and coming technology and how it would impact a specific company. We created an innovative, forward thinking solution. .
  • Marketing Course - Marketing Short Story: The purpose of this was to cultivate our story-telling skills. This skill is applicable especially in client relations: how can you make your client understand the solution(s) you are presenting?
  • Grant Writing


Project Samples

Multi-Sector Financial Analysis Project


Accounting Project: Valuation and Forecasting of Existing Firm

Supply Chain Forecasting Assignment

Business Analytics Business Solution Project

Do Good Project: Waste To Wealth Initiative


Extracurriculars & Volunteerism


  • MBA Consulting Club Vice President: I serve as Vice President of the newly founded consulting club. My role includes developing growth strategies, leadership of internal teams, and collaboration with external stakeholders. Additionally, our leadership team is preparing members for case competitions and interviews, connecting with industry experts to provide insight to consulting, and help develop professional skills targeted at succeeding in this field.
  • Member of P4: P4 is a student-led consulting club, where graduate students assist local businesses in attaining their B-Corp certification. We do this through the process of consulting with our clients. This includes performing data analysis, familiarity with regulatory restrictions, and crafting strategy for potential action items in this process.
  • Contributor to Walton Insights: This is a university publication that breaks down business trends and doctoral research for non-experts.
  • The Madison of DC; Active Alumni: Raise funds for local and national philanthropic organizations based on annual member selection.
  • Vice President Arkansas Alumni Board DC Chapter: Increased annual event attendance in my tenure. Initiated an outreach campaign in order to build relationships with alumni and those affiliated with the university.

My Interests & Professional Pursuits

My internship this summer confirmed my decision to come back to school to engage in a career pivot! In this role I was able to get more experience with sales, financial analysis, and consulting. Prior to this while working in government, I gained valuable skills in client services and solutions, project solutions, and the ability to gain niche industry knowledge on a range of topics.


Because of this, I chose to pursue a path in consulting which I began pursuing roughly two years ago. My client and technical skills make me a stand-out candidate with unique experience to pursue a role in this field.


In my free time, I believe volunteering is very important. I always strive to be involved in my local community in whatever way possible.

Professional Background

Position: Business Development Executive Intern in Consulting and Sales at Infosys

Skillset: Financial Document Analysis (10Ks); Industry Research; Data Analysis in Excel; Data Visualization; Creating Sales and Consulting Pitches for a Client and Leadership

Position: (Program) Associate at the Heritage Foundation

Skillset: Enacting Change in Rule-Making Processes; VIP Management (Members of Congress, their staff, agency staff); Identifying and Filling in Gaps in Relation to Client Needs; Quorum Software; Event Execution

Position: Correspondence Manager at United States Senate

Skillset: IQ Software; Change Management; Improvement of Internal Software and Reporting Systems; People Management

Position: Staff Assistant at United States Senate

Skillset: Organized and Executed 100+ monthly tours for VIPs and constituents; Organization Skills; Report Creation and Presentation