Kati Rafik Tannous, Cornell Johnson MBA Class of 2024
Age: 34
Hometown: Al-Bayda, Syria
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Long Island University, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Pre-MBA Work Experience (years, industry): During the last 10 years, I have worked as a registered nurse in cardiology, critical care and acute care. In my most recent role, I was a charge nurse in a 40-bed critical-care emergency department.
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
As a Syrian immigrant, I was daunted by how the pandemic disproportionately affected refugees and low-income communities. After experiencing firsthand the difficult battle against COVID-19 in the U.S., I felt an overwhelming urge to help with crisis management in developing countries. In the past, I have worked with organizations in Sierra Leone, Kenya and the Philippines, so I wanted to use that knowledge to overcome barriers to health care access. My goal is to work for a healthcare-focused consulting firm to learn the best practices in healthcare management and then take that knowledge to pivot into working with organizations like the Gates Foundation or Doctors Without Borders.
Why did you choose Cornell Johnson? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I focused on location from three different perspectives: the actual physical location of the program, post-MBA career placement region and finally the reach of the network.
Physical location: I was drawn to Ithaca because I was looking for a place that will encourage academic focus as well as self-reflection. I was also excited to be within walking distance of many waterfalls and hiking trails.
Career placement: While many students recruit for positions within the Northeast, last year’s graduates found jobs throughout the West Coast, the Midwest and many international locations.
Network: Based on my career goals, it was very important for me to join an alumni network that was worldwide. I knew that my future role would require connections in South America, Africa and Southeast Asia.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2024?
I think my experience of working on the front lines during a global pandemic will help me share ideas and strategies with my colleagues on how to be more resilient, adapt to sudden change and work with limited resources.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
Every year on New Year’s Day, I do a polar bear plunge. It is a tradition of plunging into a very cold body of water — river, ocean or lake — to wash away the last 12 months and start fresh for the New Year. I was first introduced to polar bear plunging on Coney Island, New York City. I attended an event called “Freezin’ for a Reason” hosted by Camp Sunshine, where all registration fees go to provide summer retreats with on-site medical support to children with life-threatening illnesses.
Post-MBA career interests:
Health care management consulting
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Every time I reached out to students or alumni at Johnson, I made a habit of asking them if they would connect me with other students who were planning to go into the healthcare industry or had a similar educational background to mine. Not only did this habit allow me to meet more students and alumni, it also helped me see how seamless it was for Johnson alumni to connect with each other even years after graduating.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I would apply during round 1. I applied during a later round, so by the time I received my acceptance into the program, I had missed out on Destination Johnson, which is a two-day event that gives you a head start on networking with your future classmates and introduces you to what the program has to offer.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
The interview! I was very nervous about trying to sell my nontraditional background to the admissions team. Surprisingly, what helped me get through this was the interview itself. My interviewer made this process very enjoyable. She created a low-stress environment where I felt like I was speaking to a friend rather than someone who was judging me.
What is your initial impression of the Cornell Johnson students/culture/community?
It is very diverse. You can find representation from just about every culture, religion, gender identity or expression, and sexual orientation in our current class profile. Our Office of Diversity and Inclusion began hosting sessions within the first week to make everyone feel comfortable expressing themselves and communicating their needs.
What is one thing you have learned about Cornell Johnson that has surprised you?
Learning and networking goes far beyond the walls of Sage Hall. Within my first two weeks of moving to Ithaca and starting the MBA program I was invited by my friend and Johnson alum to go stargazing at the Hartung-Boothroyd Observatory. We spent hours looking at Saturn, Jupiter and its surrounding moons through his telescope. Making connections and building relationships can take many different forms at Johnson and it is not limited to events hosted by the school.
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
I am most anxious about not having enough time to take advantage of all the amazing opportunities Johnson has to offer. Imagine playing “human claw crane” at an arcade and trying to grab as many toys as possible without dropping any. The toys are the opportunities provided by Johnson and it is simply impossible to grab them all.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I am most excited about getting to know all my brilliant classmates as we embark on this journey together.
Has the COVID-19 pandemic affected your personal application or admissions process in any way? If so, how?
In January of 2020 I started the Forte Launch program with a plan to submit my application by round one that year. As Covid-19 began to spread, I made the decision to delay my application by one year because I believed that this was a great opportunity to learn from and that my experience of working on the front lines during a global emergency would be leveraged for many years to come.
