Christina Byrd, HBS MBA Class of 2021

Age: 27
Hometown: Memphis, Tennessee
Undergraduate Institution and Major: University of California, Berkeley / Political Economy
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): 5 years, Compensation

Why business school? Why now?
I saw the impact human resources could have on a business when given the opportunity to think through strategy with the leaders of an organization during my time at Uber. After this experience, I realized I needed to be able to understand the ins and outs of a business to thoughtfully contribute and to push for positive employee outcomes.

Why HBS? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
The case method was the main factor in helping me make my decision to attend HBS. I attended a class during my interview weekend and knew that I wanted to be in classrooms having discussions just like the one that I witnessed.

What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2021?
Compensation is a relatively niche, unknown function, so I’ll be looking for opportunities to bring relevant experience into group conversations during discussions around incentives and employee experience. Also, when classmates start comparing internship / full-time offers, I’ll definitely help them evaluate, at least from a compensation perspective!

Fun fact that didn’t get included on your application?
I am a huge football fan, and while in San Francisco, I was on 3 different flag football teams. I hope to play pick-up games while here on campus!

Post-MBA career interests?
I want to stay in the human resources world but move into Human Resources strategy – perhaps at a consulting firm or in-house at a company that is re-thinking how human resources operates within the organization.

Advice to current prospective applicants:
–One thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
I would definitely go to campus for all interviews again if possible. Getting to see the campus and meet potential classmates not only allowed me to get a glimpse of what actually attending the school would be like but put me in the best head space to do well on the interview.

–One thing you would change or do differently?
I only gave myself one chance to take the GMAT before I needed to work on other parts of the application to make Round 1 deadlines. I would definitely build in more time to retake the test if needed in order to alleviate some of the pressure. I feel like my friends who built in time to take the test again usually felt confident with their scores from the first test and were more relaxed throughout the process.

–Part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
100% the GMAT. I think knowing it will end might be the main thing that got me through it, but having a clear study schedule that you actually adhere to as well as giving yourself scheduled breaks with friends and family can at least make it bearable.

What is your initial impression of HBS’s students/culture/community?
The number of backgrounds (education, industry, life experience) is more diverse than I think it is possible to realize during the application process. In just the first few weeks, I’ve met people from all over the world, with an incredibly wide range of work experiences. The admissions team obviously talks about diversity, but getting to see it firsthand is a completely different experience.

One thing you have learned about HBS that has surprised you?
I have not felt a sense of competition with any of my classmates so far. I think the most competitive phase of business school is the application period, and now that we are on campus and in our sections, everyone is just happy to be here and excited to share stories and experiences with each other.

Thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
Cold calls. I have only seen a few so far, and they are not as intimidating as I would have assumed. I still would like to avoid them all two years, if possible (not likely).

Thing you are most excited about in your first year?
My Section! They say your section becomes your family, and even though I have only known mine for a few days, I can tell it’s going to be a group of people that will challenge me, while also creating a supportive environment.