Steven Kaye, Cornell Johnson MBA Class of 2020
Age: 26
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
Undergraduate Institution and Major: George Washington University, finance
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Entertainment/Hospitality (concert/talent manager for Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas), 4 years
Why business school? Why now? Going back to school to receive my MBA was my plan from the day I graduated from GWU. I knew that whatever field I chose to enter, it was going to be temporary. So I utilized that opportunity to choose a profession where I could get managerial experience, as well as showcase my love for the world of entertainment. At about the two-year mark at Hard Rock, I started preparing for the GMAT, and by the three-year mark, I was knee deep in applications.
Why Johnson? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend? After only about a month on campus, I could not imagine myself anywhere else than Johnson! I applied mostly to schools on the East Coast. As a native Philadelphian, I knew I wanted to be a car ride away from home, especially after spending four years across the country. I also knew I wanted a program in which I could specialize in a specific subsection of the business world. The Immersion Program at Johnson offered that to me. Furthermore, every student I spoke with absolutely adored the program and the tight-knit community of Johnson.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2020? Given my unconventional career prior to joining the Johnson, I think that I bring a very different skillset. My previous career allowed me to work on different job responsibilities, from marketing and event management to accounting and sales. I also learned that for a good presentation, you always need a little “sizzle” with your “steak,” so I believe my creativity is a trait that I think differentiates me.
Fun fact that didn’t get included on your application? I was a contestant on “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire” in 2015, during their “Eligible Bachelor” Week. While I was unsuccessful in finding love, I did leave the show without embarrassing myself and came away with $10,000.
Post-MBA career interests? I have not made a firm decision on this quite yet. If I were to go back into the world of music and entertainment, I definitely would want to shift to the artist representation/management side of music, rather than act as the liaison and booking agent. I also would like to explore the world of marketing, specifically consumer products. Disney, and all of its many corporate branches, has always been a company of interest to me, particularly Disney Consumer Products. I would love to explore the possibility of finding a role in that industry sector.
Advice to current prospective applicants:
–One thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process? Unlike undergraduate admissions, in which I applied to a large amount of schools to see where I would be accepted, I chose a very small number of schools to apply to. I chose schools that I knew that if I were only accepted to one, I would be just as happy as if I were accepted to all schools I applied for.
–One thing you would change or do differently? I would have started my essays on the day the applications came out, rather than waiting. You cannot add more time to an application deadline, but you can give yourself a longer amount of time to work on an application if you prepare and start earlier.
–Part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it? If I could have, I would have skipped the GMAT process, not because it wasn’t important, but because it was the hardest part of the process for me. Going from a full-time student to a full-time employee and then trying to teach yourself how to study again is not an easy task. I got through it knowing there was a light at the end of the tunnel, and that light was getting an acceptance letter.
What is your initial impression of Johnson’s students/culture/community? Collaboration is integral to success at Johnson. As an undergrad, I did not put as much emphasis on collaborating and working with others as I do now. Everyone is pushing each other to succeed and thrive, academically as well as in the recruiting process. It is great to see individuals with remarkably different goals mutually supporting one another.
One thing you have learned about Johnson that has surprised you? What has surprised me the most was the rigor of classes as compared to undergraduate studies. There is no easing back into student life; Syllabus Week is a thing of the past. From day one of classes, I have found myself in the library, with study groups, or working on case write ups. The depth of the learning is much greater than undergraduate studies as well. There is a true real-world application to everything we’re learning.
Thing you are most anxious about in your first year? There are two different things I am most anxious about—the recruiting process and dealing with the winter weather. Formal recruiting is something that I didn’t do during my undergraduate job search; each internship I received led to the next one, and ultimately led to my full-time position with Hard Rock. Going through this new process will be an adjustment for me. I am definitely not ready to live in snowy conditions again, because I am accustomed to 120-degree summers!
Thing you are most excited about in your first year? I am most excited about the networking opportunities that come with being a part of such a prestigious program. We’ve already begun having guest speakers on campus, and I look forward to creating long-term bonds with people who are true pillars of their respective industries.
