Emil Manuel

In many languages, the name Emil means industrious. That is a spot-on definition of Emil Manuel. A senior business student majoring in project management, Manuel’s many projects involve a common theme: people. Emil gravitates to team projects. “I enjoy the interaction among team members. I like being part of a team and creating something that has an impact. We can say we did that; we made that possible.”

Possibilities are important to Manuel. As a resident assistant, he feels that one of his most important jobs is to allay the fears of incoming students who are faced with confusing possibilities. “I try to help students who are worried about their majors and about staying on track. I tell them that it’s okay to be undecided for a while.”

That level of comfort with options will aid Manuel in his career. Project management involves the ability to remain calm and focused amid changing circumstances. Manuel cites helpful professors such as associate professor Tobin Porterfield and assistant professor Hiroko Okajima with equipping him for his eventual career. “The faculty are great, and the knowledge I gained can definitely be transferred to different areas.”

Manuel is industrious in his social life too. He is vice president of the Filipino Cultural Association, a diverse organization that plans fun events to broaden campus cultural awareness.

Somehow, he still found time to apply to graduate school to study supply chain management or information technology. “It would be awesome to work as a project coordinator with other people to make things happen.”

Making things happen — with people — is what project managers do.  Manuel is getting pretty good at that already.