Claire Gaut, Cornell Johnson MBA Class of 2019
Age: 26
Hometown: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Michigan State University, international relations
Pre-MBA Work Experience: 4 years in human resources at a Washington, D.C., think tank
Why business school? Why now? After some time in the nonprofit world, I decided I wanted to pursue corporate HR. The resources and impact HR has in a corporate setting is really exciting, and I will have the opportunity to keep learning by specializing in different areas of HR. I also knew it was important to understand all aspects of business to be successful in human resources in the corporate world, so obtaining an MBA was the best way to do that.
Why Cornell Johnson? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I am a dual-degree student with the Industrial Labor Relations School at Cornell. The dual-degree program is a great way to gain a strong foundation in business while having the opportunity to take human resources specific courses. Additionally, the recruiting process for HR at Cornell is the best I have seen of any of the schools I considered during the admissions process.
It is cliché to say, but Johnson’s community was a large reason I chose the school. During the application process, I had the sense from everyone I spoke with that they really wanted me to succeed. Those connections have continued as a Johnson student, and I am excited to play that role for prospective students this year and for first-years next year.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2019? I think I bring the HR perspective to my business classes. A great plan doesn’t work without the right people in place. Being in the policy world for so many years also gave me a different perspective. However, I have to say that all my classmates bring something different to our class. I have learned so much from them over the past few months!
Fun fact that didn’t get included on your application? I love being on the dance floor, and I don’t get to do it enough.
Post-MBA career interests? I am recruiting for a corporate human resources position.
Advice to current prospective applicants:
–One thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process? I attended Johnson Women in Business before I applied to Johnson. It was an amazing experience and solidified Cornell as my top choice. For current prospective students, I would say that even though it sometimes is a huge commitment to visit a school for these types of events, it is definitely worth it in helping make a fully educated and informed decision.
–One thing you would change or do differently? Even though Johnson was my top choice, I applied to several different schools during the application process, as a hedging strategy and to see what else was out there. However, my heart wasn’t in the process for the other schools, and it showed in my applications. I would tell candidates to be selective in the schools you apply to. Once you have a shortlist of where you want to attend, go for it. You only get to go to b-school once, and it is not worth wasting your time applying somewhere you do not want to attend. My experience at Johnson has been absolutely fantastic, and I cannot imagine myself anywhere else.
–Part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it? The GMAT was definitely my least favorite part of the application process. The summer before I applied I had absolutely no social life and sometimes my lack of progress was discouraging. However, just being disciplined and thinking about the end goal helped me get through it.
Greatest highlight so far at Cornell Johnson? My core team made it to the finals of the SC Johnson case competition. I was the team leader for the project, and I was really proud of how far we came as a team and were able to work together. The core team experience is really intense but also very rewarding.
One thing about Cornell Johnson that you didn’t expect before arriving? What surprised me most was how great everyone is. I had the perception that everyone in business school would be very serious or there might be a bro culture. I haven’t found that to be the case at all. Everyone has been incredibly down to earth, despite all the amazing things they have accomplished in their pre-Johnson careers.
Thing you are most anxious about in your first year? The first semester went by so quickly. I really want to make sure I enjoy the rest of my time at Johnson and do all the things I want to do, on campus and off.
Thing you are most excited about in your first year? I recently took on the mantle of president of the Human Capital Association. It is a club that covers human capital issues for both the Johnson and the Industrial Labor Relations programs. I am really excited to get to work and impact students interested in human capital in both schools.
