Shae Smalley, Carey MBA Class of 2022
Age: 24
Hometown: Columbus, OH
Undergraduate Institution and Major: University of Denver, Mechanical Engineering
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): 1 year- sales engineering, 1 year-consultant on multiple projects (autonomous transportation, materials selections, product design & development)
Why business school? Why now?
My decision to pursue an MBA centered around a few key items:
- Gaining a clearer understanding of management skills and styles: I am always looking to better my approach to overseeing groups and understanding how I can bring value based on individual skill sets. Leadership styles are crafted over time through experiences, and business school allows me to continue to mold my approach, uncover my blind spots, and bring a growth mindset every day.
- Career transition: I greatly value my engineering background as it shaped how I approach problems small and large. In my previous role, I was able to leverage a technical background while working in sales, but I discovered my passion for finance. Business school allows me to broaden my skillset and pursue topics that strengthen my foundations for future endeavors and career goals.
- Networking: I want to surround myself with incredibly bright individuals from diverse backgrounds to develop relationships that last well beyond business school. The interactions do not stop there, but instead role into the greater school community as well as the vast alumni network of selfless individuals looking to give back.
With all that has occurred recently in terms of unprecedented circumstances, the landscape of how business is conducted is changing. My desire to be at the forefront of this movement and collaborate with others to gain their insights is what landed me in business school now. This experience has allowed me to evaluate myself, my passions, and clearly define what I consider success.
Why JHU Carey? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
Johns Hopkins is a valuable brand and one I was impressed with throughout my application interactions. Their dedicated approach to bringing in high caliber individuals from varying backgrounds combined with an incredible alumni network, I knew would place me in a challenging environment I could grow within. Whether it be an alumnus or a member of my cohort, each touchpoint maintained a sense of pride and passion for growing the brand. To go with that, Carey’s collaborative approach to education, its experiential learning opportunities, and its emphasis on cutting-edge analytics were attractive. I knew leaving Carey those skills would allow me to navigate complexities and deliver immediate value to any organization effectively.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2022?
My engineering experiences across various project types have helped me develop a unique perspective on how to break down complex problems and arrive at innovative solutions. My collegiate athletics background also provided me with an understanding of how a growth-mindset and high work ethic can impact an organization comprised of individuals united by a common goal. I want to be placed in situations outside of my comfort zone to foster an environment where I can grow and push myself while also doing the same for others. Carey is dedicated to building for what is next, and my unrelenting, intellectually curious approach to learning will hopefully drive discussions and create realizations that may not have occurred otherwise.
Fun fact that didn’t get included on your application?
I love all sports and enjoyed getting to learn how to ski out in Denver during my undergraduate studies (unfortunately, Ohio, where I grew up, does not have Colorado’s definition of “mountains”). I also played on the Division 1 men’s soccer team at the University of Denver and I will be kicking for the football team here at Johns Hopkins.
Post-MBA career interests?
A career within investment banking. I enjoy a fast-paced, challenging, client-facing environment that breeds curiosity. For me, it is an opportunity to utilize my technical background and compete; I love competition.
Advice to current prospective applicants:
–One thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
This one is easier said than done but be yourself. I often think we get caught up in what we think admissions officers want to hear, but being authentic and excited about the school and your experiences are incredibly important. In doing so, this turns those daunting admissions interviews into free-flowing conversations where your passions shine through.
–One thing you would change or do differently?
My suggestion would be to plan in advance to meet with admissions officers and try to connect with alumni. Your interactions with those individuals as they talk about their roles and experiences can help you start to form what the culture is like within the school, and what kind of individuals they are looking to bring in. After all, you will be sharing your next two years with them!
–Part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
Essays do not tend to be my favorite activity, so while there is no avoiding these, I believe it is all about your mindset leading into them. It is your opportunity to showcase your knowledge, reflect, or deliver an anecdote depending on the topic. Budget your time correctly, allow for a couple of iterations, and turn in a paper you are proud of that compliments the rest of your application.
What is your initial impression of JHU Carey’s students/culture/community?
The community is diverse and extremely impressive in terms of backgrounds, experiences, and roles. On our first day of orientation week, someone from the career development office read off a descriptive list of the cohort, which truly put into perspective the group JHU Carey has assembled. While navigating learning during COVID has been interesting, the culture from leadership down has been very supportive. The environment is one of giving before receiving, and as a group, we have developed great relationships with one another. The community (leadership, professors, career development, experiential learning, the NEXT program, students) wants each individual to achieve their version of success. There is a dedication to growing the Johns Hopkins Carey brand, and that begins with the belief that each member of our cohort reflects the Hopkins brand in each interaction they have.
One thing you have learned about JHU Carey that has surprised you?
The number of resources to aid in learning, join a club/case competition, and foster a collaborative environment have been tremendous. It has also been incredibly easy to foster relationships with Johns Hopkins alumni who go above and beyond for us all. It is a tight-knit group with much pride in the university which has been an encouraging message for future cohorts to do the same.
Thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
Finding the balance between academic, athletic, recruiting, and social activities can be challenging. I am excited to take part in many opportunities provided while also ensuring I am strategic in which I choose and how those align with my career goals.
Thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I am very excited to be working with Johns Hopkins Tech Ventures as a Commercialization Academy Fellow. This opportunity to collaborate with individuals throughout Johns Hopkins’ healthcare, engineering, and business fields will be an experience I will learn a tremendous amount from. I am inspired by the backgrounds of the individuals we have here and the research they continue to produce; this group is one that pushes ideas into realizable products that have far-reaching impacts, and one I look forward to contributing to.
