Nicole Martin, UCLA Anderson MBA Class of 2026
Age: 30
Hometown: Houston, TX
Undergraduate Institution and Major: DePaul University, Business Management Major, Finance Minor
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Allstate Insurance- 3 years (Leadership Development Program); Accenture (most recent)- Management Consultant – 5 years
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
I was at a place in my career where I needed to decide what my specialty would be within the insurance industry, and ultimately decided it wasn’t the industry for me. I decided going back to business school would allow me to focus on growing my strategic capabilities and figure out what kind of business function to pivot into.
Why did you choose UCLA Anderson? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
First and foremost, the culture at Anderson attracted me immediately because everyone was so kind and willing to help. Everyone was very down to earth, and I really appreciated the genuine connections I made with the administration and students.
Also, I was very interested in being in a big city. The opportunities that can arise from being embedded in a major city are immeasurable. Lastly, as someone who wasn’t completely sure of what she wanted to do, I felt this was a place I could explore those passions in a more collaborative environment.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2026?
Something that I think sets me apart is the breadth of different experiences I have had in my career. I’ve worked across many different functional areas, such as project management, data science, human resources, technology product management, and consulting. This allows me to bring a diverse perspective to my classes and discussions with my peers. Also, my interest in human resources and workforce transformation is unique compared to my classmates.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I love to cook in my free time, I have even catered a small wedding of 30 people.
Post-MBA career interests:
I plan to pivot into a more human capital-focused strategic role.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
During my application process, I visited all the schools that I was interested in and attended any admissions events in my city. My view on different schools completely shifted once I actually stepped foot on campus and met the administration and students myself.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I think if I could change anything, I would have started a bit earlier, reaching out and visiting schools. I mostly applied and then visited campuses once accepted. I think this will help you to get a real feel for the type of experience you want and will help you personalize your applications for each school.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
I would say the process of studying for the GMAT was pretty tough for me. As someone who has been out of school for almost 10 years, studying after work and on the weekends was quite the transition. To combat this, I was lucky enough to be able to take a class and find peers who were willing to help keep each other accountable for our studies.
What is your initial impression of the UCLA Anderson students/culture/community?
Upon stepping onto campus, I was surprised at how down-to-earth everyone was. I also was very excited that there was such a collaborative environment where people really are excited to collaborate and help each other to succeed.
What is one thing you have learned about UCLA Anderson that has surprised you?
There are a lot of students that are focused on creating a better society. Everyone here is very clear on their purpose and are not afraid to go after the career and goals they want to achieve for themselves, no matter how unique.
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
I am most anxious about managing my time and not over-committing myself. There are so many different opportunities to get involved on campus so I hope to find a good balance between being involved on campus but also giving myself grace to make sure I am on top of academics and recruiting.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I am very excited to explore LA with my new classmates. Los Angeles is such a vibrant city with so many different things to do. I plan to dive in with different student groups to get myself out of my comfort zone.
