After several years in finance, Peter Janulis sought a change to the strategy and operations side of Disney. To make the leap, he returned to his alma mater of Harvard to earn his MBA. In this Real Humans: Alumni, Peter highlights how HBS supported his career change and more.
Peter Janulis, HBS MBA ’24, Strategic Operations at Disney+
Age: 32
Hometown: New York City
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Harvard College, Concentration in Economics
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Investment Banking at UBS, Operations at Harry’s, Strategic Finance at Disney (6-7 years experience)
Post-MBA Work Experience: Disney+ Strategic Operations at Disney (<1 year experience)
Why did you choose to attend business school?
I wanted to move into a role that centered around strategy and operations. I came from a finance background and wanted to learn valuable skills to set me up for success in that type of role.
Why HBS? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
HBS has deep connections in the media and entertainment world, especially with Disney.
What about your MBA experience prepared you for your current career?
HBS had incredible classes, especially those rooted in entertainment and strategy, and world-class people, both faculty and students, with a diversity of experience.
What was your internship during business school? How did that inform your post-MBA career choice?
I interned at Walmart Connect, their advertising arm; it was great to see how another big company operated relative to my experience at Disney.
Why did you choose your current company? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to work?
I’ve always been passionate about Disney, as well as streaming technology and services, and how individuals choose to consume content in an environment where preferences continue to change.
Advice to current MBA students:
–One thing you would absolutely do again as part of the job search?
Connect with individuals you have mutual connections with.
–One thing you would change or do differently as part of the job search?
Don’t get discouraged!
–What piece of advice do you wish you had been given during your MBA?
Think deeply about how you want to invest your time, it will pay off!
