Catie Mannarino, Goizueta MBA Class of 2020
Age: 26
Hometown: Alpharetta, GA
Undergraduate Institution and Major: The Ohio State University, Corporate Finance major with an Italian minor
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry):
Previous to attending Goizueta Business School I was a Commercial Business Analyst for Thermo Fisher Scientific. Through synergies with the finance team within the Molecular Spectroscopy business unit I was promoted into a Cost Accountant role with our Madison operations team. Following my experience with Thermo Fisher Scientific I moved into a Financial Analyst role at UW Health in Madison, Wisconsin where I was on the Budgeting and Financial Analysis team.
Why business school? Why now?
Acquiring my MBA and furthering my education is something that was always top of mind for me. My grandfather who moved to the United States from Italy to complete his residency valued higher education and instilled those values within me. I am ready to further enhance my tool kit so that I can bring my best self into my future professional career.
Why Goizueta? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
The community at Goizueta and the small class size were major factors that drew me to Goizueta.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2020?
My ability to lead with optimism and a positive attitude. I never pass up an opportunity to wave, smile, and greet classmates as there is nothing I find more rewarding than lifting other’s moods.
Fun fact that didn’t get included on your application?
While living in Madison, WI I was a member of the Madison Homebrewers and Tasters Guild (MHTG) which educated members on beer and homebrewing. I was also a member of my friend’s whiskey club and am interested in starting a whiskey-tasting club within our class.
Post-MBA career interests?
Corporate Finance and General Management
Advice to current prospective applicants:
–One thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Apply round 4 to Goizueta! I almost submitted my application in Round 3 but I wasn’t totally satisfied with my essays and so I decided to put off my application until Round 4 when I felt my essays were complete. There is hope in round 4!
–One thing you would change or do differently?
I would take the GMAT more than once and take it earlier than planned! I took the GMAT in December, which set the pace for the rest of my applications. In retrospect I would have taken it earlier and more than once.
–Part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
I would not worry as much when reaching out to school’s admissions teams and current students. I overanalyzed every email out of concern of saying the wrong thing but in retrospect I wish I would have communicated more rather than worry about what I was sending.
What is your initial impression of Goizueta’s students/culture/community?
The culture and community is so much more than I could have hoped for. We are only six weeks in and my class feels more and more like a family each day. The second year class is incredibly welcoming to all of us and their warmth is something that I hope to pass onto our future class of 2021. Goizueta is currently marching into its 100th year anniversary and it is very evident that everyone is looking to build bridges and grow our community even more. I am so thankful to be part of such an amazing MBA class and program.
One thing you have learned about Goizueta that has surprised you?
The HP12C calculator plays an important role in life at Goizueta.
Thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
Finding the right balance between academic, leadership, and social opportunities. There is so much to do and I want to participate in everything!
Thing you are most excited about in your first year?
Continuing to grow my network of friends and being able to develop my leadership skills!
