Alexis Stewart, NYU Stern MBA Class of 2023
Age: 27
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Undergraduate Institution and Major: I graduated from the University of Virginia with a degree in Systems Engineering and an Engineering Business Minor.
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): Right out of college, I spent nearly three years as a technology consultant at Deloitte within the government and public sector industry. I then spent two years working in data analytics roles at companies focused on restaurant technology — OpenTable and Venga, which was acquired by the parent company of OpenTable.
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
While working in my most recent data analytics role, I began to think more about my long-term career goals and how my current job aligned with these goals. In my role, I really enjoyed working in tech, dealing with data, and putting my analytical and problem-solving skills to the test, but sought more opportunities to turn data into action. I wanted to move from an engineering position within tech to a more strategic role that would allow me to use data to drive decision-making. Ultimately, I decided that business school would allow me to gain the foundational knowledge needed and the tools to help me make this transition.
Why did you choose NYU Stern? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
The curriculum was a large driver behind my decision to attend Stern. Stern has a long list of specializations and I was particularly drawn to the Marketing, Strategy, and Tech Product Management specializations to help me meet my career goals.
Secondly, location! New York City has everything there is to offer in terms of business, and Stern has deep relationships with the city. In particular, there are opportunities for experiential learning that allow you to put in-class concepts into action for real-world business problems. I had also considered the idea of moving to the city for the past few years and this was an opportunity to make that a reality!
Lastly, the diversity of the Stern community was a driving factor in my decision. Attending business school is an incredible opportunity to surround yourself with people from different backgrounds and learn from the experiences of those around you. I wanted to attend a business school where I felt valued and embraced, and one that embodied diversity of thought, background, and experience.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2023?
One of my biggest strengths is my analytical skills and attention to detail. In my data analytics roles, I transformed complex and open-ended reporting requirements into thoughtful and insightful analyses for decision makers, while also identifying any limitations in the data analysis. Data is becoming more and more important in business, and I am excited to bring my passion for data to the classroom at Stern.
Tell us a fun fact that didn’t get included on your application:
I attended the same school in Atlanta from pre-school until high school graduation, and I graduated with over 30 other students (out of 100) who had been there as long as I had. My experience at this school introduced me to a strong community and I sought that sense of community when choosing a business school.
Post-MBA career interests:
Marketing, Strategy, and Technology
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
– What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Take the GMAT or GRE early – this was a huge help for me going through the application process! Getting the test done early will allow you to focus on building and refining the rest of your application leading up to deadlines.
– What is one thing you would change or do differently?
Easier said than done, but I would try to not overthink as much during the process. It’s easy to get stuck on applications if you think too much about what the school wants to hear, rather than focusing on being yourself. Once I was able to re-focus on telling my story (and after writing and re-writing some essays), the process became much easier and I was prouder of the application I produced.
– What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
The GMAT – I hadn’t taken a standardized test in a long time and it was tough to get into the groove of it. It’s important to remember that scores are only one part of your application and there’s way more to your story than your test score.
What is your initial impression of the NYU Stern students/culture/community?
When applying to Stern, my vision of the student body was a group of intelligent and driven, yet humble classmates that continually supported and celebrated one another’s success. (Yes, I wrote that in my application!) After being here for only a few weeks, I can tell you these are only a few of the great qualities of the students in the Class of 2023. I have been so impressed learning about the accomplishments of my classmates in their careers thus far, and hearing about their plans for the future inspires me. I have so much I can learn from my classmates and their past experiences, and I look forward to broadening my perspectives while working with them over the next two years.
What is one thing you have learned about NYU Stern that has surprised you?
I initially struggled to wrap my head around the idea of a close-knit community in a city as large as New York City (especially in comparison to schools in smaller towns). A strong and supportive community was one aspect I was searching for in my perfect business school. It didn’t take long into LAUNCH, the school’s MBA orientation, to see the uplifting community that exists at Stern and the amazing people that are a part of it.
Has the COVID-19 pandemic affected your personal application or admissions process in any way? If so, how?
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, my admissions experience was fully virtual – from initial information sessions, to the interview, and to Preview Week. Trying to learn about different schools and finding your fit while in a remote environment can certainly have its challenges. I think one of the most difficult aspects to gauge about a school from afar is the sense of community, especially if you’ve never been able to visit campus or meet with current students in person. That being said, the virtual environment did give me numerous opportunities to connect with the school with more flexibility. For Stern, I’d highly recommend going to as many events during Preview Week as you can. You can find so many different events that give you a look into different aspects of the school, such as mock classes, club-focused events, and networking roundtables to meet current and other admitted students.
From a more personal perspective, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic ultimately had an influence on my decision to apply to business school. When the pandemic began, I was working at OpenTable, a restaurant technology company. Needless to say, restaurants were a particularly hard-hit industry during this time. Given the new challenges in the industry, I watched our company leadership navigate through ambiguity and also with empathy toward our internal teams and customers. Their exemplary actions in part influenced me to want to pursue business school to continue building my leadership skills.
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
Even just a few weeks in, there is so much to choose from in terms of what to get involved in and dedicate time to. I want to use my MBA experience to pursue the professional goals I’ve set out for myself, but also to try new things and push myself outside of my comfort zone. Trying to figure out how to balance this is definitely overwhelming, but the number of opportunities is exciting.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I’m looking forward to getting to know more of my classmates and experiencing New York City with them. I just moved to the city this past summer, so I have a lot to check off my bucket list!
