Genet Micael, CBS MBA Class of 2022
Age: 29
Hometown: New Britain, Connecticut
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Columbia University, Class of 2013, Economics
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): Pharmaceutical Advertising, 6 years
Why business school? Why now?
I was looking for change. I had been working for about 5 years when I started applying to business school. I wanted to switch industry and function. I also wanted to learn more about how businesses operate, to become a better leader, and to grow my professional and social circles. I realized that getting an MBA was the path to reach my short and long-term goals, all while providing a chance to temporarily ditch the office for the classroom and travel more.
Why CBS? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I loved the idea of having a Core curriculum to learn all of the foundational elements I need to know combined with the flexibility to take courses that pique my interest from across the university (such as at the Law School and SIPA). I didn’t want a program that made me feel too tied down to any one specialization but definitely appreciate the structure of the first semester of Core with essential classes like Strategy and Accounting. Last but not least, Columbia’s location in New York City was a very important factor because I love this place that I’ve called home for the last ~10 years and I plan to work here post-graduation. We have access to many different businesses, leaders, cultures, and opportunities. OH, and the food. The food scene in NYC can’t be beat!
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2022?
I think I bring a unique perspective to the class given my background. I’m a Black woman from an immigrant, working-class family. I’m the first in my family to go to college and now business school. I have experienced first-hand what it’s like to live in a developing country. I’m privy to experiences that many of my classmates have only read about if that. So I can share viewpoints that classmates are not as widely aware of and in doing so, hopefully, create more open-mindedness through exposure.
Fun fact that didn’t get included on your application?
I’m a first-generation American as my parents were born and raised in Eritrea, and I happen to have been born on the date of Eritrean independence. I find that pretty cool!
Post-MBA career interests?
Management Consulting (short term), Business in Africa (long term)
Advice to current prospective applicants:
–One thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Spend a lot of time thinking about your Why; Why business school, why now, why that specific school and all those why’s should add up to the “What” you’re trying to accomplish in the short and long term. Also, recommend taking a GMAT prep course (I did Manhattan Prep).
–One thing you would change or do differently?
Take advice with a grain of salt. You’ll get a ton of advice along the way (including this) and some of it will be amazing and some of it might not apply to you. You have to be able to determine what works for you. Definitely reach out for feedback and guidance but know that you don’t have to agree with every essay edit or tip you receive.
What is your initial impression of CBS’s students/culture/community?
One word that best describes my classmates is well-rounded. My classmates are intelligent and come from such well-respected backgrounds but also maintain a sense of humility, friendliness, and humor. It’s a refreshing balance of IQ and EQ! The culture here is very supportive and the student body is very international – both of which are very important to me and for any business school.
One thing you have learned about CBS that has surprised you?
You might think people who end up at an ivy league business school in NYC of all places would be competitive to the point of cut-throat but so far, the people I’ve met are not super aggressive/Type-A. People are surprisingly chill, which doesn’t mean they don’t work hard. Folks here are ambitious but they don’t let that get in the way of making genuine connections with their classmates.
Thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
I’m most excited for COVID and quarantine to come to an end so we can get the full b-school experience!
Thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I’m most nervous that it will be a while until that happens and that we might not be able to travel as classmates anytime this school year.
