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It's about time. “Time management is something that the College of Business Administration teaches us,” said Mark Elbadramany, who will graduate in December, 2006, with a double major in international business honors (IB Honors) and finance.
It’s a good thing. A list summarizing his activities—some past, many ongoing—includes forty items. And this from someone who had one in high school. Why the change? “I didn’t see the value of it in high school,” he said. “I played varsity basketball, but that was it.” When he arrived at Florida International University, which he chose because he “figured the climate, environment, and location would be most supportive for someone with an interest in international business,” he decided that engaging himself outside the classroom would enable him to become well-rounded and would give him a chance to apply what he was learning. The International Business Honor Society (IBHS)—the first of its kind in the world—became his passion. He was a founding member and is the current president. Now considered the national model chapter, IBHS is able to charter other chapters worldwide and is incorporating as the not-for-profit IBHS, Inc. He’ll hold the position of executive director. “We have chapters in the chartering process in Monaco, Thailand, New Jersey, and New York,” Elbadramany said. “The vision of IBHS, Inc. is to be the leading honor society in the world for motivated and globally-focused students with an interest in the field of international business. We strive for the maintenance of academic excellence, the promotion of educational and professional opportunities, and the continuous pursuit of ethics to cultivate the global leaders of tomorrow.” Elbadramany emphasized that, as a student, “it’s important to explore uncharted areas so you can learn what you like and don’t like.” Acting on that advice when he was a freshman, he researched various organizations so he could decide where to contribute his time. “I went to everyone I could think of to find out about ways to get involved,” he said. “It was a long process, but I learned a lot from my peers, advisors, professors, and services I found online, such as the Center for Leadership and Service, which offers activities that mold you as a leader.” He also worked without expecting to get paid. For example, he helped out at the New Venture Challenge and got to meet the judges. “Meeting people and learning are compensations, too,” he said. He mentors; volunteers in community efforts; acts as chair, co-chair, and coordinator for various organizations; holds membership in several honor societies, was a co-winner in The Intern Competition, and received a prestigious Business Ethics Scholarship, to name a few of his achievements. He also works 25 hours a week as a student ambassador in the Pino Center for Global Entrepreneurship. Elbadramany credits what he’s learned about time management with enabling him to get the most of out of every day. “I’m so fine-tuned that when I wake up, I know what I’ll eat,” he said. “I cut out of life anything that doesn’t add value, and I get my socializing through the social events of the organizations to which I belong.” He has accepted an internship at the corporate headquarters of Bank of America in North Carolina in the corporate treasury/corporate finance side of investment banking and is looking toward a career in investment banking, specifically in securities trading specializing in foreign currency exchange. And whether or not time is money, the future looks bright for him.
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