Sam Borja Truax, Minnesota Carlson MBA Class of 2026
Age: 26
Hometown: Eden Prairie, MN
Undergraduate Institution and Major: University of Minnesota – Twin Cities (Business Management, Spanish, and Communications Studies)
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Operations Director, Integrated Staffing Solutions, 4.5 years
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
I spent the last four and half years working with my father, running the family business, a small talent acquisition firm. It was a challenging experience where I learned a lot by doing. Eventually, I realized that there was so much more to running a successful business than what I could teach myself, and going back to school was the correct next step for my career.
Why did you choose University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
Like many of my peers, the number one factor for me was location. My family is here, and I want to continue living in Minneapolis for years to come. Narrowing it down from there, I chose Carlson because I had such a phenomenal experience at the U of M in my undergrad and was familiar with the prestigious status that the Carlson School carried with the local business community, which of course, is home to numerous Fortune 500 companies that I would be thrilled to work with.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2026?
I believe I have a knack for bringing positive energy to my classmates. One of the simplest joys in life is sharing a laugh and smile with others, so I aim to do so often and loudly. Any MBA program and recruitment process is stressful, but our bonds as classmates and friends make it all easier and more worthwhile.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I was quoted in the Wall Street Journal. I sat for an hour-long interview, connecting my work to a larger initiative in the community.
Post-MBA career interests:
Consulting, Corporate Strategy, and Brand Management
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Connect with a current student or recent alum! I felt more confident in my decision after speaking with a second-year student. I got candid, genuine, no-nonsense answers about the real questions I had on my mind about what it meant to be a student at Carlson.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I wish I would have started my application process sooner. I began working on my application and studying for the GMAT in late October with the goal of submitting everything by February. I still found success, obviously, but I would have preferred more time to feel less stressed about studying, or maybe I would have even taken the GMAT a second time. However, I know folks who applied later than I did with less prep time!
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
Being self-employed, I had never done a behavioral interview before so I was caught off guard by the neutral demeanor of the interviewer. Despite my best effort to stay positive and deliver the answers I prepared, I thought I was unsuccessful in building a connection with them through the conversation and left feeling unsure. It was not until after I learned exactly what a behavioral interview is did I understand that I had nothing to worry about.
What is your initial impression of the Minnesota Carlson MBA students/culture/community?
I feel blessed to be included amongst such an accomplished group of people. The class of ’26 has impressed me since day one. We quickly formed a close community, and it saddens me that I get only two short years with these folks. I am also incredibly grateful for the class of ’25. They have taken on a huge amount of work for no other reason than to provide us with support and guidance, without which I do not know how we would succeed at the level we collectively are.
What is one thing you have learned about Minnesota Carlson that has surprised you?
I was unaware of the huge military veterans community at Carlson. I have not known many veterans in my personal life, so it has been fascinating to hear about all the different experiences my classmates have had in the armed forces. Thank you all for your service!
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
The internship hunt is anxiety-inducing. Remember that you are your own harshest critic! As long as you are taking the right steps, remain true to who you are, and put in the effort, good things will happen.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
The internship hunt! There are so many opportunities available to us that it is hard to narrow it down to a manageable number. I am excited to see what the next step in my career will be and to see where that might take me after.
