Margaret-Anne Smith, HBS MBA Class of 2022
Age: 25
Hometown: Singapore
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Carnegie Mellon University; Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chinese Studies
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): I spent three years in food manufacturing at Nestlé. I started in the rotational Factory Management Development Program and then moved into a full-time Maintenance Management role.
Why business school? Why now?
After my hands-on experience in food manufacturing, I am now looking to pivot into the healthcare industry. I decided to attend business school because it will help me learn about different career paths in the healthcare space while gaining a solid foundation in business academics. In terms of timing, I am very excited about being back on a university campus after working for a few years!
Why HBS? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
After visiting HBS and sitting in a classroom, the case method really stood out to me. The students and professor in the classroom were extremely engaged and genuinely excited about the case related debate. After learning so much from just sitting in that one class, I realized how impactful the case method is. I also chose HBS because of the strong emphasis on class participation and debate will help push me outside of my comfort zone and to further develop as a leader.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2022?
I have been incredibly impressed by the diverse experiences and backgrounds of my classmates at HBS. One of my differentiating contributions to the class is my cross-functional background in factory operations, most recently leading a team of 40 employees. This was a challenging experience as I was learning the technical aspects of factory operations while also learning how to lead a team. Fortunately, I had many mentors to guide me, and am excited to keep learning here at HBS.
Fun fact that didn’t get included on your application?
From my work in ice cream factories, I became a certified Drumstick Ice Cream Cone Taste Tester!
Post-MBA career interests? I am looking to pivot to the healthcare industry after my MBA. I am still exploring different career paths in healthcare through the HBS network and clubs, but am interested in consulting, manufacturing, and start-ups.
Advice to current prospective applicants:
–One thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Staying focused on the schools I was most excited about was an important part of my strategy. There are so many great MBA programs and it can be overwhelming to try to learn about all of them. Once I decided that HBS was my top choice, I focused on getting to know the school by speaking with alums and current students. This really helped me understand the HBS MBA experience and ensure it was a good fit during the application process.
–One thing you would change or do differently?
During the application process, I would have liked to dedicate more time to self-reflection and the application essays. I was so focused on the GMAT and resume, that I felt rushed working through some of the essays.
–Part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
I definitely would have skipped the GMAT. It helped me to dedicate specific blocks of time for studying each day for a few weeks leading up to the exam. I preferred to study a lot over a shorter amount of time to try to get through it faster.
What is your initial impression of HBS’s students/culture/community?
I am amazed by the wealth of experience each person at HBS brings to the community. The culture on campus is incredibly inclusive and everyone has had such interesting and diverse experiences both inside and outside of work. I am very excited to get to learn more from this well-rounded, global community.
One thing you have learned about HBS that has surprised you?
I have been most surprised by how great the hybrid experience is at HBS. Given the current pandemic, I was uncertain of how the experience would be different this year. However, HBS has set-up a very interactive learning platform and created many opportunities for us to get to know our classmates in safe, socially distant settings.
Thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
One of the biggest challenges I am already seeing this year is setting priorities. There is always something going on at HBS, between all of the clubs, section events, cases, recruiting, etc. I am still figuring out how to balance and prioritize all of these exciting activities!
Thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I am most excited about getting to know my section better and learning from all of their experiences. I am also really enjoying the Healthcare club events and learning about so many different opportunities in the industry.
