Alexander Krainin, Yale SOM’s MBA Class of 2023
Age: 28
Hometown: Florence, SC
Undergraduate Institution and Major:
University of South Carolina
B.S. International Business and Global Supply Chain Operations Management
B.A. Chinese Studies
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): 4 years, management consulting in public and private sector both domestic and international
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
I have always wanted an opportunity to pursue work that makes an impact. While living in the Middle East, I was working on a strategy project that had the potential to create 10,000 new jobs in an economy that needed workforce diversification. It was hard, it was ambiguous, but I loved it. I spoke with a partner of the firm I was working at who stated I would need an MBA to be consistently involved in strategic work like this. An MBA had been on my mind for a few years at that point, but I began to put the ball in motion almost immediately after that project.
Why did you choose Yale SOM? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I went to a relatively large high school (~2K students) and big undergrad (~35K students).
For grad school I wanted a smaller community that I could actually get to know. SOM’s class size (349) is one of the smallest among the top-10 MBA programs. In addition, we have a standard first-year curriculum in which nearly everyone partakes. This enables good ole Type II friendships: crafted on misery. Commiserating on Accounting brings the whole class together. I love it.
Also, New Haven is great, but I wouldn’t call it a city. As a result, we see a lot of each other on the weekends, which I prefer.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2023?
I like to think that I know the United States. I grew up in a very conservative community as the only liberal of all my friends. I went to a high school that qualifies 35% of the student body for the Free Lunch Program. At that high school I was the only Jewish kid of 2,000 students. As a result, I’m used to being an outsider while simultaneously fitting in and am very familiar with both sides of our politically chaotic system. Contrary to behavioral psychology research shared in our economics class recently, I have become adept at weighting arguments based on merit that are diametrically opposed. I can understand the value of a perspective that is not my own. I think this quality makes me unique.
Tell us a fun fact that didn’t get included on your application:
I’m actually a pretty good party-starter. At the age of 6 I asked my mom, “how do you get people to dance?” She, too, is also a great party starter and taught me everything she knows.
Post-MBA career interests:
I plan to return to Management Consulting focused on strategy. I am interested in Retail, Consumer Products, and Private Equity as potential industries.
Simultaneously, I will continue to volunteer with environmentally focused non-profits. * Shout-out to Patagonia’s Catchafire for providing a great platform for this *
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
– What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Start early… Like a year early. This greatly reduces stress.
– What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I would not hire an MBA consultant… trust me on this one.
– What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
The GMAT… Coffee helped me get through it.
What is your initial impression of the Yale SOM students/culture/community?
I love it. SOM ‘23 Students are inspiring and impressive, but incredibly humble. Each individual is likely to be the most interesting person you have ever met, but they’re more inclined to be asking you all of the questions.
I remember feeling overwhelmed and excited during orientation as my classmates and I casually discussed what we were doing prior to school. Each person had worked in countries I have never visited (and I’ve been to 40) in industries I have never heard of.
The average person here is interested in connecting. Not networking. You can feel people’s desire to get past surface level conversations and build a deeper understanding of one another. This was an incredibly refreshing feeling. I hoped that I would be joining a community of likeminded individuals, but to be honest, I was not optimistic. I assumed business school would be very transactional. Today, I am certain I will leave this program with lifelong friends, who just happen to be individually successful.
What is one thing you have learned about Yale SOM that has surprised you?
That people really do want to positively impact society through their work in business. When I was targeting MBA programs that touted impact driven tag lines, friends teased me, “Yea… a business school is going to make you a better person. Sure.” But a few weeks in and I’ve attended spoken word passion-projects organized by future MBB consultants, Net-Impact club meetings by mission-driven VC’s, and prepared applications to sit on local non-profit boards.
Also, FYI: New Haven is an adventure sports town! My first 3 weekends I drove ~1hr to surf 6ft+ waves in Rhode Island and camp with friends. Additionally, there are some historical rock-climbing routes ~2hrs away as well. Watch out Orange County!
Has the COVID-19 pandemic affected your personal application or admissions process in any way? If so, how?
Not really. I was unable to visit campus or have an in-person interview, but I didn’t particularly mind. The last 4 places I’ve lived, I was unable to visit before. I figured New Haven would be a breeze! Turns out I am a big fan of this town.
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
The workload. It’s been a while since I’ve been in school and even when I was in school, it definitely was not at Yale. It’s intimidating to have the majority of your classmates hail from top undergrads, let alone be graded on a curve with them. That, combined with recruiting is a special feeling… But it sure is inspiring.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
The journey: the people, the events, the experiences, the anxiety! I have no idea what is going to happen and I love that feeling! If the first few weeks have anything to say about it, I am going to grow alongside of some pretty amazing people.
