This Costello student leader is working to create opportunities for all

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There are few George Mason University students as busy as senior Rakibul Alam. A senior majoring in business and concentrating on management and marketing, Alam has become one of the most visible student leaders in the Costello College of Business, where he works as a marketing and communications intern. Recently he was among the speakers welcoming the community at Fuse's grand celebration in September at Mason Square.

But when you hear Alam talk about his campus experiences, it is surprising to learn that his first week of college was rocky. As a first-generation student commuting to campus from Centreville, Virginia, Alam said wasn't hesure how he would fit in.

"I remember thinking, I need to get involved if I want to have the best George Mason experience," Alam said, and that he did.

Within weeks, Alam joined StudentGovernment and soon co-founded the student organization Collective Organization of South Asia. A semester later, he joined another student organization, Mason Consulting Group. As vice president of the Mason Consulting Group, he has worked to ensure that other students have access to experiential learning opportunities.

Alam spoke at the Fuse's grand celebration in September. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

"George Mason has such unique individuals with so much talent," Alam said. "We need to go out into the community and show what we can do. My goal has been to create those opportunities for others."

Mason Consulting Group is open to George Mason students of all majors. Alam said about 210students are registered, but there is a core group of about 70+who are the most active members.

Under his leadership-he is now president of the group,the Mason Consulting Group has grown into more than just a student organization. Over the past few semesters, the organization has brought in representatives from Northern Virginia companies, such as KPMG, one of the area's top four accounting firms, to talk to students about careers.

And those connections are paying off. He said seven of the group's members secured high-profile internships in consulting this past summer, including Alam himself who served as a human resourcesand change management advisory intern at KPMG.

"That says a lot about the kind of pipeline we're building," Alam said. "George Mason students are competing head-to-head with students from Stanford, Cornell, and Harvard-and we're ending up in the same places."

That pipeline is expanding beyond the corporate world. Thanks to the group's strong reputation, Fairfax City Economic Development has tapped George Mason students to consult on real projects and is compensating them for their expertise.

"These are the ripple effects," Alam said. "We're being recognized not just as students, but as professionals making an impact."

Rakibul Alam presenting at the 2024 Patriot Pitch competition. Photo by Office of University Branding

Alam himself has a résumé that reflects both ambition and a deep commitment to service. Last year, his summer internship with the U.S. Navy reinforced his interest in government consulting.

"After my Navy internship, I realized how much I wanted to servethe public sector," he explained. "Administrations change, but the government will always be here. Consulting allows me to use my skills to support the American people."

That sense of purpose also extends globally. Alam was the recipient of the prestigious Gilman Scholarship, which allowed him to study international development in Morocco in January 2025. He also represented George Mason at a United Nations Cooperatives Youth conference in India, where he worked alongside students from across disciplines, including public health and business.

"It was incredible to see George Mason represented on the world stage," he says. "These experiences showed me how interconnected business, policy, and global development really are."

Alam's drive has earned him recognition closer to home as well. Early in his George Mason career, he won Costello's Patriot Pitch competition with a social entrepreneurship project. He has since served as a mentor to other entrepreneurs in the annual competition, paying forward the guidance he received from faculty mentors.

"Every opportunity I've had, I had to pitch myself for it," Alam said. "But when I get to the top, I want to throw the rope back down for others. Because there's always room at the top."

That mindset-paired with his relentless schedule-has required discipline. Between taking 18 credits, leading a student organization, and juggling multiple internships, Alam relies on strict time management.

"I learned early onthat I needed structure," he said. "I use calendars, I set boundaries, and I make sure to take mental breaks. And I also have mentors-some older, some younger-who keep me grounded."

In turn, he also mentors undergraduate business students.

Despite his packed calendar, Alam said he finds balance through pickleball, which he plays religiously, and painting, which fills his home with his own watercolor and mixed-media creations. "Sports and arts keep me well-rounded," he said with a smile.

Looking ahead, Alam is weighing whether to finish his bachelor's degree early or pursue an accelerated master's. Either way, he plans to remain in Northern Virginia after graduation, contributing to the same business and government ecosystems that shaped his education.

"Businessesin Northern Virginia should know they don't need to look far for talent," he said. "We're right here, and we're ready to make an impact."