This is a story about two University of St. Thomas-Houston alumni and how good things can happen from the connectedness within the UST community. In this case, an alumnus wound up with his dream job.

The Players

Ammar Ali, MBA ’22 in International Business, was on the lookout to advance from his position as a project coordinator for an environmental consulting firm. At the same time, Ashley Scott ’04, MCTM ’20, chief of staff for Artidis, Inc., in the Texas Medical Center, was searching for a new business operations manager.

A Particular UST Listing 

Scott posted the opportunity on the traditional platforms. But she also submitted the listing to Paula Marsh, director of UST’s Career Services Center. That’s where things began to percolate. Ammar’s sister, currently working on her MBA at UST, spotted the job opening with the medical technology company, recognized it as a perfect fit for her brother, and sent a screen shot to him.

“I saw the job posting in a private message from my sister, Khizran,” Ali recalled. “She screenshot it from UST’s Career Services saying this would be an exciting opportunity. I thought, ‘This is what I’ve been dreaming about. The next thing I know, I’m applying. At that time, I did not know Ashley was a fellow alum.”

One Alum ‘Recognizes’ Another

Scott said, “Ammar was one of more than 125 respondents to the job posting and among the 20 candidates I interviewed. I noticed his strong background in project management, mentorship in education, as well as marketing and that was good. Then, I noticed he was a St. Thomas alum, and that was wonderful. When we spoke, he stood out for his content of character as well as how personable and authentic he was. To me, those are the hallmarks of UST. It has to do with the University’s philosophy, ethics, and the humanities focus.”

Ali, who moved from Pakistan to America in 2016 for “an excellent education,” said he and Scott were “on the same page” from the beginning.

“I don’t think I’ve ever had a more agreeable interview,” he said.

The UST Difference

Ali got the job in April, and Scott, who is extremely pleased with his work and ethic, has some thoughts to share.

“Differentiating factors that matter come from a St. Thomas education,” she said. “It’s a good education that attracts good people.”

A Deep Respect for a Catholic Education 

Ali, who is Muslim, chose UST, because he has a deep respect for Catholic schools, such as the one his sister attended back in Pakistan.

“When UST was recommended to me for my MBA, it represented a familiar standard of Catholic educational excellence,” he said. 

Since Ali first came to the U.S., his parents and siblings have arrived in Houston as well. He plans to settle in the “Bayou City” and put down roots here.

As a parting thought, Ali said, “When I was about to leave Pakistan, my mother prayed: ‘I pray whoever you meet on your journey that they are the highest caliber of people.’ I feel like I got so lucky … from an extremely understanding manager like Ashley Scott to exceptional professors like UST Professor Dr. Hans Stockton. I have been blessed every step of the way.”