Hannah Longwill, Berkeley Haas MBA Class of 2026
Age: 27
Hometown: Chadds Ford, PA
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Penn State University, Major in Marketing, Minors in Spanish and Psychology
Pre-MBA Work Experience: KIND Snacks (2022-2024), Associate Brand Manager – Branded Content & Activation, Associate Brand Manager – Breakfast, Sr. Brand Analyst – Breakfast; Kraft Heinz Company (2019-2022) Customer Category Manager – Price Chopper Supermarkets, Customer Sales Analyst – Northeast Region, Business Development Trainee – In-Store Sales Team
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
Business school had always been this ominous idea in the back of my mind after joining the workforce. I had pushed the idea out of my head for a while, thinking that MBA was only for career pivoters. However, after chatting with a mentor in my last job who always inspired me (and had gotten her MBA) she pointed out that grad school doesn’t have to be a career pivot, it can be so much more. It can be a meaningful, well-deserved pause that gives you the opportunity to explore what is important to you and your career, make connections, learn new skills and overall, grow. That conversation was all it took to submit those applications!
I decided the time is now for grad school because I am not tied down by family commitments yet, and after five years in the workforce, I was ready for a new adventure. I was lucky to be in a comfortable place in my life, and it felt like the perfect opportunity to explore new ideas and challenges. It was a chance to invest in myself and shape my future while I had the freedom to do so.
Why did you choose Berkeley Haas? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
When I was looking at business schools, I was searching for an environment that encouraged students to take risks and challenge the status quo. I found myself feeling uninspired by tours that over-indexed on consulting and investment banking, and I actually questioned the idea of getting my MBA as a whole many times. Not to sound cliche, but when I toured Berkeley, there was an aura of entrepreneurship, passion, and social impact in the air. It was amazing. No one talks about their joy and passion for generating shareholder value, but at Berkeley, people talk about their desire to change the world through innovative new products and organizations. I could feel that social impact was weaved through the academics and the culture at Berkeley and that was something I was really looking for in a school. The combination of all of these factors made me realize…holy moly, this school is the one for me!
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2026?
There are not many people who have worked in brand management, especially ones with extensive knowledge on granola, so it is fun to share this perspective with the class.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I am a huge fan of type 2 fun. Some things I have done include shark cage diving and cliff jumping!
Post-MBA career interests:
I am currently exploring a lot of different opportunities in the impact and better-for-you food space, including impact investing, sustainability management, and venture capital roles.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
The application is a super introspective process and it requires you to really get to know yourself deeply. I found it really rewarding to get to know others through the process as well, and definitely recommend it! The Berkeley application asks: what makes you feel alive? I asked a lot of my family and friends this question and learned so many new and interesting things about them.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I did the application process a little backwards and visited the schools once I got in versus prior to applying. If I were to do things differently, I would have visited the schools beforehand. This would have made the application process easier and I would have applied to less schools.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
Oh man – the evil standardized testing. I was super stressed with getting the perfect score on the GRE/GMAT. Everyone has a different experience with this process, but it definitely turns into a trauma bond with your classmates when you get to school, as I don’t think I have met anyone who enjoyed taking the tests. For me, I had to study for a full year, and I still didn’t get the score I wanted, but in the end, it was the one I wanted because it got me into Berkeley! If I were to go back in time, I would tell myself that it simply is not that deep!! Online, it may seem like the score is everything, but in reality, it is your full application story. If you can present yourself through your essays and resume and explain why your score may not be the best, everything will be OK!
What is your initial impression of the Berkeley Haas students/culture/community?
Passionate and excited to change the world for the better!
What is one thing you have learned about Berkeley Haas that has surprised you?
I learned the power of an amazing professor! I never thought I would enjoy an accounting class so much, but the combination of a creative teacher and intelligent classmates managed to make debiting and crediting fun. Also…I was very surprised by how hilly Berkeley is – I fear I will have amazing calves by the end of my first year!
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
Finding an internship that I am passionate about! The market is tough out there, but Berkeley has a lot of resources to help us out.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
Getting to know my classmates more and more. Everyone is so kind, interesting, and fun!!
