Olivia Haines Shetty, Washington Foster’s MBA Class of 2026
Age: 30
Hometown: Wales, Wisconsin
Undergraduate Institution and Major: St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN; Education
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Program Coordinator of the Career Advising Program at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine, 2022-2024; Middle School Administrator, Oberoi International School, Mumbai, India, 2018-2021; Fulbright Scholar, Dehradun, India, 2017-2018.
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
Not unlike other full-time MBA students, I decided to attend business school when I felt that I had hit my ceiling for learning and growth in my previous role—but find myself missing the critical business acumen needed to thrive in the spaces of my short-term and long-term professional goals. Business school, and for me, Foster specifically, is an academic and experiential lesson in the business acumen I was seeking.
Why did you choose the University of Washington Foster? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I chose to accept my offer at UW Foster for two main reasons: #1 – The incredible community. From the moment I visited campus for the Fostering MBA Access event last fall, I recognized that the warmth and the inclusivity of the community are unlike that of any other school. Because of the small class sizes, Foster’s community is close-knit, and inclusive to diverse experiences and backgrounds. #2 – The proximity and opportunity to connect with alumni at some of the country’s leading tech, biotech, and aerospace companies. While Foster’s alumni network spans the country, the UW campus is situated within a few miles of the workplace of alumni who are among the top talent at companies like Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Adobe, Boeing, Expedia, Starbucks, and many others. As a first-year student in my first quarter, I have already had three company treks to meet alumni in person and network with potential managers and colleagues.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Washington Foster MBA Class of 2026?
Because of my background in career advising and professional development coaching, I bring a critical skillset and industry knowledge (healthcare) to the Class of 2026. If I am able to serve as a resource for classmates who want a peer to mock interview with them, or be a sounding board as they talk through their professional goals and previous experiences, I will feel that I have shown up for my classmates and served our community well.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I have a lifetime goal of running a race on all seven continents! I have five to go! (Yes, there are races in Antarctica!).
Post-MBA career interests:
Lead a global marketing team for a life-changing medical intervention or healthcare solution!
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Talk to (a few!) current students at each of the schools I was interested in applying to. These students nearly ALWAYS provided a candid view of what life as an MBA student at that school was like, challenges, program highlights, and general advice. An incredible second-year student at Foster introduced me to the Consortium and advocated that I apply; I did, and I’ve gained such an amazing community via the Consortium (check it out if you are not familiar with it!).
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I definitely fall into the camp of, ‘I don’t regret anything!’ ALL of the experiences I have had, triumphs and mistakes, have built me to be the person and professional that I am today. I can show up as an empathetic leader and give my all because of the spectrum of experiences I have had.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
The GMAT/GRE! What helped me to get through studying and taking the standardized exams for MBA application prep was remembering my NORTH star—what the MBA offered me, and what I wanted to do with the opportunities and experiences that came along with it, to help me land in my dream role.
What is your initial impression of the Washington Foster MBA students/culture/community?
Warm. Inclusive. Authentic. Dedicated to the success of their peers!
What is one thing you have learned about UW Washington Foster that has surprised you?
The MBA student clubs at Foster (professional, affinity, and interest) offer incredibly robust programming and often provide incredible interview-prep resources such as case prep, marketing analytics practice, etc. Aside from recruitment prep, we have some awesome interest clubs, including the Net Impact Club, focused on making social impact in the community and furthering sustainability efforts in the PNW and in business!
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
I WAS most anxious about the quant-heavy classes I am taking this quarter. However, our professors are incredibly helpful and offer nearly daily office hours to assist if I ever get stuck with a practice problem or have a clarifying question about a topic covered in class.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I am most excited about learning more about industries that I know little about! Right now, that is Aerospace for me. Blue Origin, headquartered near Seattle, has visited our campus a few times to network with students and offer office hours to learn more about their internship and full-time opportunities. I enjoyed attending an information session where I learned more about the development of a commercial space station designed to host bespoke experiences in space with Earth as a backdrop.
