Omar Ali, ’23, has had grand plans for a career in business ever since he first enrolled at Montgomery County Community College. Now the fruits of his labor are beginning to bloom.

When the Business Administration major crossed the stage at MCCC’s Commencement two years ago, Ali, then 20 years old was set to transfer to the College’s four-year transfer partner, Drexel University’s LeBow College of Business, to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration focusing on finance. Since then, things have only continued to improve.

Today the 22-year-old will finish his degree in June and already has a job lined up at the Conshohocken-based private investment firm, Hamilton Lane, starting in July. He said MCCC provided the educational foundation he needs as he begins his career.

“My mindset out of Montco was execute on all my goals and achievements,” he said. “That’s something I’ve tried to hold on to.”

A 2021 Hatboro-Horsham High School graduate, Ali came to the College in the summer of 2021. As a student he was conscientious, often wearing a shirt and tie to class. The more formal attire was worn partly because he had work right after class at TD Bank, but also because he said he admired his professors and wanted to model his appearance on them. The faculty at MCCC, he said, prepared him to succeed.

“When I came to Drexel, I knew what was being taught in economics and accounting and management classes,” he said. “I was well prepared based on my professors. I have to say the curriculum and professors and the work and deliverables at Montco put me in a different mindset coming to a university.”

“It’s about having an entrepreneurial mindset. If you have a vision and tools, the opportunities are there for you.”-Omar Ali

During his time on campus, Ali worked hard to be a model student. He made the Dean’s List from fall 2021 to spring 2023. He was a member of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), the international honor society for two-year colleges. Ali received the PTK scholarship due to his connection with the international honor society, which totaled $1,500 per year.

He was also named to the 2023 All-Pennsylvania Academic Team, which is sponsored by PTK and the Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges. The recognition honors an exceptional group of community college students each year for their academic excellence and commitment to their colleges and communities. To qualify, students must have completed at least 36 credits and have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.

Additionally, Ali held a paid, digital marketing internship in MCCC’s Workforce Development Division, which he said gave him hands-on learning experience in his field. On top of that, he started his own business, ODT Timepieces, which buys, sells and trades luxury watches. Ali said he launched the business to help him pay off his tuition using the business skills he acquired from his time at MCCC.

“It’s about having an entrepreneurial mindset,” he said. “If you have a vision and tools, the opportunities are there for you.”

By choosing to go to MCCC for his first two years of college, Ali said he felt better positioned to hit the ground running once he transferred.

“The transfer to Drexel was great. I was coming into my junior year,” said Ali.  “It was time to concentrate on my career, hone my skills and I’ve been able to do that successfully.”

In 2024 he landed a six-month full-time internship at Hamilton Lane through Drexel’s Undergraduate Co-op. He then accepted a part-time position at the company as an evergreen operations analyst. He begins working full-time at the company after graduation.

Ali said he’s excited for the bright future ahead of him and offered advice for students looking to follow his example.

“Focus on what makes you great as an individual,” he said. “What motivates you? What makes you want to get up every day and makes you great? We need to focus on what makes us great within ourselves. That’s the mindset. Keep pushing forward. When I’m done at Drexel, it’s not the end, it’s the beginning.”