Arielle Hynes, Georgetown McDonough MBA Class of 2023
Age: 29
Hometown: Tallahassee, FL
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Florida State University, Psychology and Communications
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): 5 years, Lyft, Safety Program Team
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
Working for Lyft was a great experience, over the course of five years I truly grew so much. However, I felt like my path forward was a bit narrow without a more formalized business education. I was ready to take the next step and hoped that business school could help me meet new potential.
Why did you choose Georgetown McDonough? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I chose Georgetown McDonough for many reasons. I was inspired that the school put a strong emphasis on doing good through business. I also liked the international aspects of the program, especially the Global Business Experience. The opportunity to be in a dynamic city like Washington, D.C. was very valuable to me. And, overall I had the sense that everyone I talked to from the school was incredibly genuine, which was important to me.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2023?
In my prior role, I often had to make decisions in ambiguous situations. I think having this amount of comfort with ambiguity before school has been valuable in classroom settings and team projects I’ve been in so far.
Tell us a fun fact that didn’t get included on your application:
My brother is a McDonough MBA alum, so we’ve started a new family tradition!
Post-MBA career interests:
I’m interested in marketing, strategy and LDP roles. For me, it’s most important to work for a company that aligns with my values.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Don’t give up on the GMAT. One of the keys to my success was perseverance.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
Relax! I was very stressed about the whole process, the GMAT, talking to the admissions team, interviews, etc. I felt very intimidated by the whole process, but it’s all doable!
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
The introductory video. I don’t love recording myself on camera and ended up spending a lot of time to get this right. It pushed me outside of my comfort zone, but I felt accomplished once I had finished it!
What is your initial impression of the Georgetown McDonough students/culture/community?
It’s incredibly diverse. I have loved getting to meet people from all different backgrounds and all different parts of the world.
What is one thing you have learned about Georgetown McDonough that has surprised you?
It’s been surprising to see how involved Dean Prashant Malaviya is. He’s incredibly present, always at events, and even taught a day of our Marketing class (which was excellent!).
Has the COVID-19 pandemic affected your personal application or admissions process in any way? If so, how?
Definitely! The pandemic impacted my application process in so many ways, from having to take the online GMAT to virtual interviews and everything in between. I think one of the biggest things was not being able to attend the Welcome Weekend in person, I would have loved to do that!
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
Recruiting, I think it’s always a bit stressful to put yourself out there, but I’m really excited about all the opportunities, too!
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
Clubs! Everything is still just getting started, but I’m so excited for the clubs to get going and am hoping to get involved in leadership roles once the time comes.
