Paul L. Grech, Carnegie Mellon Tepper MBA Class of 2025
Paul L. Grech, Carnegie Mellon Tepper MBA Class of 2025Age: 28
Hometown: Beacon, NY
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Marist College. Double major: Business Administration, concentration in Finance; Spanish
Pre-MBA Work Experience (role, company, years): User Experience Project Manager/Product sales Relationship Manager/Enterprise Account Manager/ Portfolio and Risk Advanced Specialist, Bloomberg LP, 5.5 years
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
After 5+ years at Bloomberg, I was able to experience many different areas of the business and grow as a professional to the point that I am ready to take on the next challenge and focus on marrying my personal passion for ocean conservation with professional ambition.
Why did you choose CMU Tepper? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
The Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship was a major factor in choosing CMU. Through the opportunities available through the Swartz Center to the mentorship that current fellows, alumni, and staff provide, I am confident I will have the resources needed to reach my goals. The opportunity to network with students in the other graduate programs, such as the Masters in AI and Masters in Engineering and Technology Innovation Management, was another key aspect of picking CMU.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2025?
My goal of moving into the ocean conservation space as well as my unique perspective and creativity, inspired by growing up in a bi-cultural household, will be major influences on the impact I make on my classmates.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I have cliff-jumped on 3 continents
Post-MBA career interests:
After graduating from Tepper I will move into a chief of staff role in an early-stage ocean conservation tech startup; long term, my goal is to develop deep industry experience then transition to the investing side.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Take the time to make meaningful connections with current students by sharing your interests and seeking those that are focused on the same path. The knowledge they will share of the resources at the school and the opportunities in your industry will help tremendously in the application process to show how prepared and serious of a candidate you are as well as to hit the ground running once you are accepted.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
If I could go back, I would have tried to connect more with alumni, as my outreach was focused on current students.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
The GMAT was definitely the most difficult and humbling process in the MBA application; giving myself time to study at my own pace and not rushing was key to staying sane.
What is your initial impression of the CMU Tepper students/culture/community?
The community at Tepper is tight-knit, and from day one, it was clear that the student body focuses on collaboration. This was further seen in students involved with the Swartz Center, where so many current students and alumni made themselves available to speak with me to share their experiences.
What is one thing you have learned about CMU Tepper that has surprised you?
How available the second years and broader CMU community are to help even while they have hectic schedules with summer internships and other personal commitments.
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
Recruiting for internships will be the most stressful part of the year, but I am excited for the challenge and the opportunity to connect with professionals in the industry.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I am excited for the opportunity to have the time to concentrate on learning about topics that I find interesting and will help me to reach my future goals. I also am excited to make more connections and become more involved with the Swartz Center.
