What happens when biomedical engineers step into the world of business? In this episode of the Sustainable Innovation MBA (SI-MBA) Podcast from the University of Vermont Grossman School of Business, students Cole Drozdek and William Wright share how they’re transforming analytical STEM backgrounds into purpose-driven business leadership. From navigating the transition into an MBA without prior business experience to building new skills in marketing analytics, strategy, and systems thinking, they unpack how SIMBA helps students “bridge the gap” between technical expertise and real-world impact.

Cole and William also dive into hands-on practicum projects with companies like OnLogic and PTC, where they’re embedding sustainability into product design, operations, and decision-making. Along the way, they highlight the power of interdisciplinary collaboration, Vermont’s close-knit innovation ecosystem, and the unique value of a one-year MBA focused on social and environmental impact. If you’re curious about careers at the intersection of engineering, sustainability, and business—or considering a next step after STEM—this episode offers an inside look at how UVM’s SIMBA program prepares students to think bigger, ask better questions, and lead meaningful change.

From a Conversation recorded April 2026