Nick Chominski, Kelley MBA Class of 2021
Age: 29
Hometown: Boothwyn, PA
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Penn State – Supply Chain and Information Systems
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): Six years in logistics, healthcare and IT consulting
Why business school? Why now?
I felt I needed to strengthen my financial and marketing acumen along with my higher-level strategic thinking skillset. Most of my career had been focused on project management and implementation, so I knew this would be very helpful if I wanted to get into a higher-level strategic consulting role.
Why Kelley? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
Kelley has a great family feel to it – from the small class and cohort sizes to the interactions with the faculty and staff. I felt, in every interaction, that I was going to be in an environment where I could learn and be myself.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2021?
I think I have a unique ability to bring people together from different backgrounds and quickly bridge those differences. Also, I have experience across a couple domains, so I bring a different perspective to each discussion.
Fun fact that didn’t get included on your application?
I was in one play in 4th grade and was the lead…as a paleontologist. The play was about dinosaurs.
Post-MBA career interests?
Strategy consulting.
Advice to current prospective applicants:
–One thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
I really enjoyed meeting everyone during the process and getting to know people from all the various schools. I would encourage every applicant to do that as much as possible. It’s the most important part of the process.
–One thing you would change or do differently?
I would have taken a couple in-person classes for the GMAT. The test is just like any other standardized test, it can be beaten, so you just need to talk over some of the concepts with people and that’s helpful.
–Part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
Nothing besides the GMAT springs to mind.
What is your initial impression of Kelley’s students/culture/community?
Everything that I saw during visits and heard about the culture is true. It’s a great feeling to know that the community you bought into is the community you now live day in and day out.
One thing you have learned about Kelley that has surprised you?
Our GCS (career services) team has been integrated into the program from day one. If you are willing to put the time in, they will as well. I am focused on firms that don’t necessarily recruit on campus so it’s been huge to see how much time they are willing to give.
Thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
Ensuring that I balance professional/networking, the Core curriculum, and the social aspect of a top MBA program.
Thing you are most excited about in your first year?
The GLOBASE trip – each year Kelley does several consulting projects with an NGO or small/medium-sized business in an emerging economy. We then get to go in-country for two weeks to explore and meet face-to-face with the firm to complete the engagement.
