William Kerscher, Emory Goizueta MiM Class of 2025
Age: 22
Hometown: Denver, Colorado
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Emory College of Arts & Sciences, Psychology (BS) and Religion (minor) on the pre-medical track
Pre-MiM Work Experience: Swim Across America, various roles for the past 3 years. Currently sit on the associate board.
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
I made the decision to attend business school because I believe a knowledge of business is an essential skill in the healthcare field. Healthcare is fundamentally tied to business, and I believe that providing the absolute best care to as many people as possible requires a depth of knowledge of the business field. I have always been passionate about business, and it is a subject I have taken great personal interest in as well. This factor, combined with my goal of being a physician, made attending business school an easy decision.
I decided to pursue my master’s in management now because it will allow me to enter medical school with valuable business knowledge. I believe that it will give me a unique perspective on the medical field, especially as a medical student. Further, attending business school this year gave me the ability to attain a second degree between the conclusion of my undergraduate studies and the beginning of my medical studies.
Why did you choose Emory Goizueta? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I chose Emory Goizueta because I am a firm believer in Emory’s mission. Attending Emory for my undergraduate studies, especially as a student-athlete, inspired my love for the school, the people, and the city of Atlanta. As an undergraduate student, I knew and lived with students who attended Goizueta. I have always been impressed by the quality of education and the opportunities that attending Goizueta provides. While I am a pre-medical student, and I plan to attend medical school, I have always been passionate about the study of business. When I discovered the master’s in management program at Emory it felt like the program was tailored exactly to me. This program not only satisfied my wishes to attain a business education but also gave me the opportunity to do so between the conclusion of my undergraduate degree and the start of medical school. Beyond this, the ability to continue to live in such a dynamic and diverse city was a significant factor in my decision, along with the chance to obtain another degree from a phenomenal university.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the class?
I think my most valuable contribution to my class is my leadership experience. Beyond being a varsity athlete, as an undergraduate student at Emory, I was also president of the Emory Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). In this role, I helped advocate for student-athlete needs and worked with administration to improve the student-athlete experience. This role gave me first-hand experience leading an organization while also having the opportunity to make a lasting impact on Emory athletics and all student-athletes. Further, I have been involved with the non-profit organization Swim Across America for several years and currently sit on the associate board. Each of these positions gave me the opportunity to learn about what good leadership looks like and how to rally groups of people for good. I think these experiences are valuable to my class as I am able to bring these skills and my unique perspective into the classroom.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
One fun fact about myself that wasn’t included in my application is that I am a huge hockey fan. I have been a die-hard fan of the Colorado Avalanche my entire life, and I cannot remember the last time I didn’t watch a game, no matter how late. I love watching hockey whenever I ca,n and experiencing games in person is one of my favorite things. Some of my favorite memories have come from watching Avs games with my friends and family.
Post-MiM career interests:
After I complete my MiM I plan to attend medical school and obtain my MD. It has been a lifelong goal of mine to become a physician, and I know that my business education will elevate my ability to provide excellent patient care.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
I would absolutely take the time to attend information sessions again. These sessions gave me a glimpse into the program and the business school that I would not have gotten otherwise. For me, they were invaluable in my decision-making process.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
There is nothing I would do differently about my application process, but since we were the inaugural class, I obviously did not get the chance to talk with any current students. I think that would have been beneficial in my decision-making process.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
The only part of the application process I would have skipped if I could was applying during such a busy semester of school. I wish I had decided to apply sooner so I could have worked on the application over a break. I budgeted my time well when I was applying, though, and made sure to leave time to enjoy my friends in my final semester of undergrad.
What is your initial impression of the Emory Goizueta students/culture/community?
My initial impression of the Emory Goizueta students, culture, and community has been wonderful. Each of the students in my program brings a unique skillset to the table which inspires so many interesting conversations in and out of class. The culture and community of Goizueta is tied closely together as it is clear both are a top priority of the school. Goizueta hosts numerous events every week meant just for networking and community building. The school and programs are tight-knit, which is a tribute to their success in creating a strong community. Everyone at Goizueta is committed to their education and is always willing to help out when someone else is in need. I have nothing but good things to say about Goizueta.
What is one thing you have learned about Emory Goizueta that has surprised you?
Something I’ve learned about Emory Goizueta that has surprised me is their standing in the academic world. While many people know Emory for its medical prowess I was surprised to find that just as many people, if not more, know about Goizueta as a leader in the business field. While I knew I would be gaining access to a phenomenal alumni network when I arrived at Goizueta I had no idea how impressive and impactful that network would be. Goizueta has immensely successful alumni in every field, across the world, who are always willing to help a fellow graduate out. It is a true testament to the Goizueta culture and community that I am so grateful to be a part of.
