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Real Humans - Alumni

Published: April 18, 2022
Real Humans of Microsoft: Casey Murphy, HBS MBA ’21, Business Planner
Casey Murphy, HBS MBA ’21, made his way through several pre-conceived notions–what others thought about business school, what others thought about his chances to get in, and even what he initially thought about a particular program–to find the yellow brick road to his dream role. At Harvard Business School, he not only learned the business skills to become a business planner for Microsoft’s Azure division, but also refined his vision and sense of values when it comes to work. Find out more about his journey and what business school can offer below in this Read more
Published: April 14, 2022
Real Humans of Microsoft: Jessica Goldberg, Booth MBA ’19 Product Marketing Manager
Chances are, your first interaction with Microsoft was at a desk, on a computer with a monitor that probably seems comically large now, your leg room narrowed by a tower to power up as well as to store data. That tower now functions in the “cloud”–that mystical platform for data storing and sharing that transcends borders and makes global business seamless. Jessica Goldberg, Chicago Booth MBA ’19,  serves as a product marketing manager for Microsoft’s cloud platform, Azure. She identifies key cloud trends, seeks to understand the customer, and contributes to Azure strategy projects. In this Read more
Published: April 13, 2022
Real Human of Apple: Najma Yakob, NYU Stern MBA ’21, Environmental Program Manager
As this generation faces a climate crisis, Najma Yakob is on the offensive, helping tech giant Apple in their mission to become carbon neutral by 2030. In this edition of Real Humans: Alumni, Najma, NYU Stern MBA ’21, talks about how the NYU Stern MBA program empowered her transition to tech, the community she found in business school and more about becoming an environmental program manager at Apple. Najma Yakob, NYU Stern MBA ’21, Program Manager at Apple Age: 29 Hometown: Minneapolis, Minnesota Undergraduate Institution and Major: Brown University — Economics and Sociology Read more
Published: April 11, 2022
Real Humans of Google: Akshay Sriprasad, Columbia Business School MBA ’20, Product Management
Akshay Sriprasad is on a mission. Multiple missions, in fact. He believes technology can save the world–and you will, too, after reading his story. For Akshay, business leaders have a responsibility to solve the world’s greatest problems and an MBA from Columbia Business School added some fuel to this work. In this Real Humans: Alumni, Akshay talks about the importance of a life/work balance, how CBS supported his dreams and why he has pursued product management at Google, along with a lot more. Akshay Sriprasad, Columbia MBA ’20, Product Management at Read more
Published: April 7, 2022
Real Humans of Bank of America: Brendan Crowley, Wharton MBA ’20, Investment Banking Associate
The MBA is a popular bridge to careers in finance and Brendan Crowley, Wharton MBA ’20, sheds light on how Wharton was uniquely supportive in changing his career trajectory. In this edition of Real Humans: Alumni, Brendan explains how the Wharton MBA helped him pursue a role at Bank of America (BofA), the second-largest banking institution in the U.S., offers insights into his internship there and gives advice for current MBA students. Brendan Crowley, Wharton MBA ’20, Mergers & Acquisitions at Bank of America  Age: 34 Hometown: Wooster, Ohio Undergraduate Institution Read more
Published: April 6, 2022
Real Humans of Apollo: Maria Fernanda Yglesias, Northwestern Kellogg MBA ’21, Healthcare Credit Associate
Founded in 1990, Apollo is one of the largest asset managers serving many of the world’s most prominent investors. Having worked in banking previously, joining the company was an easy decision for Maria Fernanda Yglesias, Northwestern Kellogg MBA ’21, when she was offered a full-time position. In this edition of Real Humans: Alumni, Maria talks about how the MBA program at the Kellogg School of Management prepared her for the role at Apollo. Maria Fernanda Yglesias, Northwestern Kellogg MBA ’21, Global Corporate Credit Associate, Healthcare, at Apollo Age:  Read more
Published: April 4, 2022
Real Humans of Apple: Ruth Adu-Daako, Stanford MBA/MS, Closed-Loop Program Manager
In this edition of Real Humans: Alumni, we hear from Ruth Adu-Daako, Stanford MBA ’18/MS ’19, who explains how her degrees prepared her for her role at Apple. She also offers insights into her non-Apple internships and how those experiences now inform her work as a closed-loop program manager. Ruth Adu-Daako, Stanford MBA ’18/MS ’19, Closed-Loop Program Manager at Apple Age: 30 Hometown: Kumasi, Ghana Undergraduate Institution and Major: The University of Cape Coast, Bachelor of Commerce Graduate Business School, Graduation Year and Concentration: Stanford Graduate Read more
Published: March 31, 2022
Real Humans of J.P. Morgan: Brian Guo, Cornell Johnson MBA’ 19, Investment Banking
Given Cornell Johnson’s strong job placement in the finance industry, Brian Guo, Johnson MBA ’19, found it to be a natural stepping stone from asset management to investment banking at J.P. Morgan. In this edition of Real Humans: Alumni, Brian talks about his experiences at Cornell Johnson, how the MBA prepared him for investment banking and his advice for current MBA students. Brian Guo, Cornell MBA ’19, Investment Banking Associate at J.P. Morgan Age: 31 Hometown: Whippany, New Jersey Read more
Published: March 30, 2022
Real Humans of Morgan Stanley: Gabrielle Alves, Michigan Ross MBA ’20, Investment Banking Associate
Morgan Stanley, one of the world’s largest investment banks, has three business units: institutional securities, global wealth management, and investment management. In this edition of Real Humans: Alumni, Gabrielle Alves, Michigan Ross MBA ’20, talks about how b-school helped her land a role there. Though Gabrielle very recently moved to Gap Inc., she talks about the Morgan Stanley recruiting process, what it took to transition from retail to investment banking and more. Gabrielle Alves, Michigan Ross MBA ’20, Investment Banking Associate at Morgan Stanley Age: 30 Hometown: Montclair, New Jersey Read more
Published: March 28, 2022
Real Humans of Disneyland Resort: Casey Brown, USC Marshall MBA ’19, Marketing Strategy Manager
Challenging journeys are a common theme among the Disney classics–Moana, Finding Nemo, Mulan to name a few. Just as Disney characters set out on daring missions, Casey Brown also had a tough dream to achieve: Marketing at Disney. How does one change industries, but also earn the chops for a spot at the best-known resort in the world? In this edition of Real Humans: Alumni, Casey, USC Marshall MBA ’19, explains how the MBA program prepared her for a pivot to marketing, how she earned the marketing strategy role at Disney and what she wished she Read more
Published: March 24, 2022
Real Humans of BCG: Lilian Izuorah, Duke Fuqua MBA ’21, Consultant
In this edition of Real Humans: Alumni, we jump back into the consulting sector to leading consulting firm, Boston Consulting Group (BCG). Lilian Izuorah, Duke Fuqua MBA ’21, wasn’t quite sure where she wanted to land for her post-MBA employment when she matriculated at b-school. Read on for how the Duke Fuqua MBA exposed to her a variety of career paths and prepared her for life as a consultant. Lilian Izuorah, Duke Fuqua MBA ’21, Consultant at BCG Age: 29 Hometown: Lagos, Nigeria Undergraduate Institution and Major: University of Benin Read more
Published: March 23, 2022
Real Humans of Bank of America: Chris Shoemaker, Carnegie Mellon Tepper MBA ’16, Investment Banking VP
Get a glimpse into the lifestyle of investment banking, as Chris Shoemaker, CMU Tepper MBA ’16, shares his story of pursuing a role at Bank of America (BofA) through business school in this edition of Real Humans – Alumni. BofA is the second largest banking institution in the U.S. It was founded in San Francisco, though Chris works at the New York headquarters. Read on for his account of the dedication a profession in investment banking takes, tips on landing a role in the industry, how Tepper prepared him for his position and more. Read more
Published: March 21, 2022
Real Humans of Citibank: Anoop Kinjavdekar, Cambridge Judge MBA ’20, Management Associate
Today’s edition of Real Humans – Alumni introduces a management associate at Citibank , Anoop Kinjavdekar, Cambridge Judge MBA ’20. Citibank is one of the “Big Four” banks in the U.S. and a subsidiary of Citigroup. Founded as the City Bank of New York over 200 years ago, the bank now has 2,649 branches in 19 countries. Anoop shares his story from a Citigroup base in Singapore. Below he offers a peek into MBA life at Cambridge Judge, a sense of the work culture at Citibank, and reflection on how he managed to move from semiconductor Read more
Published: March 17, 2022
Real Humans of Deloitte: Alex McNair, Emory Goizueta MBA ’18, Consultant
Deloitte, perhaps best known as a “Big Four” accounting firm, is also the largest healthcare consulting company in the world by revenue. So when Alex McNair, Emory Goizueta MBA ’18, decided to pivot from higher ed fundraising to consulting, the firm was a natural destination. He now advises life sciences and healthcare clients. In this edition of Real Humans – Alumni, Alex talks about how the MBA prepared him for his new role and why he loves working at Deloitte. Alex McNair, Emory Goizueta MBA ’18, Consultant at Deloitte Hometown: Frederick, Maryland Read more
Published: March 16, 2022
Real Humans of Google: Ryan Yu, HBS MBA ’21, Product Manager | Google Cloud AI
MBAs are a vehicle for transformation–whether for your industry, function, geography or whatever else you can dream up–and that’s just what Ryan Yu went to business school for: A new path. Pivoting from consulting to tech, Ryan talks about how Harvard Business School helped him make this change. He also offers insights into landing a product manager role at Google in this edition of Real Humans: Alumni. Read on for his story, career advice and more. Ryan Yu, HBS MBA ’21, Product Manager at Google Age: 29 Hometown: Manila, Philippines Read more
Published: March 14, 2022
Real Humans of Bain: Sanchita Shandilya, INSEAD ’21J, Consultant at Bain & Company
Nearly 50 years ago, William Bain, Jr. left BCG to launch what would become another Big Three consulting firm: Bain & Company. In this edition of Real Humans: Alumni, we hear from Sanchita Shandilya, INSEAD MBA ’21, who also embarked on a new adventure to a leading one-year MBA program to launch her career in consulting. Read on for how INSEAD heightened Shandilya’s skills and prepared her for the exciting life of a Bain consultant. Sanchita Shandilya, Insead MBA ’21J, Consultant at Bain & Company Age: 29 Hometown:  Read more
Published: March 10, 2022
Real Humans of Disney: Stephanie Sorensen, Chicago Booth Evening MBA ’20, Senior Associate
From humble beginnings as the “Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio,” The Walt Disney Company (Disney) has grown into a multinational entertainment and media conglomerate. Disney has woven magic and wonder into global culture. Do you remember your favorite movie or cartoon character as a kid? Now, imagine, as an adult, what it would be like to work there. In this edition of Real Humans – Alumni, Stephanie Sorensen, Chicago Booth Evening MBA ’20, delves into her part-time business school experience and reflects on what helped her become a senior associate at Disney. Stephanie Sorensen, Chicago Booth MBA ’20, Read more
Published: March 9, 2022
Real Humans of McKinsey & Company: Cortne Edmonds, NYU Stern MBA ’21, Associate
McKinsey & Company is the oldest and largest of the “Big Three” management consulting firms and they routinely recruit MBAs for associate positions and more. Within this enterprise of 30,000+ employees, what does it mean to “make your own McKinsey?” In this edition of Real Humans – Alumni, Cortne Edmonds, NYU Stern MBA ’21, explains this concept and much more about becoming an Associate at the leading consulting firm. Cortne Edmonds, NYU Stern MBA ’21, Associate at McKinsey & Company Age: 32 Employer & Title: McKinsey & Company, Associate Hometown: New Read more
Published: March 7, 2022
Real Humans of Microsoft: Nathalia Borges, Duke Fuqua MBA ’21, Product Marketing Manager | Cloud Business
Satya Nadella, current CEO of Microsoft, is credited with turning the culture of Microsoft around, to a “growth mindset.” The tech giant’s mission statement is now, “empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.” This, among other features of the multinational corporation, drew Duke Fuqua MBA ’21, Nathalia Borges, to pursue her internship and post-MBA job there. In this edition of Real Humans – Alumni, Nathalia shares how the Team Fuqua b-school experience prepared her to become a product marketing manager at Microsoft, insights into her summer internship there and more. Nathalia Read more
Published: March 3, 2022
Real Humans of Apple: Jon-Matt Hopkins, CBS ’20, New Product Launch Manager
How long have you waited in line for the new iPhone? How many Apple products are helping you run your life seamlessly? In this edition of Real Humans – Alumni, we hear from an MBA alum making sure these products reach you. Jon-Matt Hopkins, Columbia Business School MBA ’20, tells us about his business school experiences that helped him become a New Product Launch Manager at Apple. Jon-Matt Hopkins, CBS MBA ’20, New Product Launch Manager at Apple Age: 31 Hometown: Morristown, New Jersey Read more
Published: March 2, 2022
Real Humans of BCG: Steve Neumann, Georgetown McDonough MBA’ 2019, Project Leader
Boston Consulting Group (BCG)—one of the Big Three of the top consulting firms known as MBB—has offices in 50 countries, and therefore no shortage of opportunities to pursue a diverse and lively profession. In this Real Humans – Alumni, we meet Steve Neumann, Georgetown McDonough MBA ’19, who talks about setting his sights on joining BCG and how McDonough empowered him to do so. Steve Neumann, Georgetown McDonough MBA ’19, Project Leader at BCG Age: 30 Hometown: Newtown, Pennsylvania Undergraduate Institution and Major: Georgetown University — Marketing major Read more
Published: February 28, 2022
Real Humans of Google: Malvi Hemani, Kellogg MBA/MS ’21, Google Product Manager
In Real Humans – Alumni, recent MBA graduates discuss how business school prepared them for the next phase of their careers. In this edition, Malvi Hemani, Northwestern Kellogg MBA ’21, talks about landing the role of Google Product Manager at Google. Google was created in 1998 in Menlo Park, California, and it currently has nearly 150,000 employees and receives more than 125,000 internship applications every year. Read on for how Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management prepared Hemani for the exciting life of a Google Product Manager, her advice to current MBAs and more. Malvi Hemani, Read more
Published: February 23, 2022
Real Humans of Amazon: Stéphane Vukovic, HBS ’21, Country Lead at Amazon Prime Video
In Real Humans – Alumni, we meet recent MBA graduates to discuss how b-school prepared them for the next phase of their careers. In this edition, Stéphane Vukovic, HBS MBA ’21, talks about landing a Country Lead position at Amazon Prime Video. Read on for how Harvard Business School prepared Vukovic for the dynamic life of an Amazon Country lead, his advice to current MBAs and much more. Stéphane Vukovic, HBS MBA ’21, Country Lead at Amazon Age: 29 Hometown: Paris, France (Currently based in London, UK) Undergraduate Institution and Major: HEC Read more
Published: February 21, 2022
Real Humans of Bain: Brian Khorshad, Chicago Booth ’20, Consultant
We are excited to kick off the next round of Real Humans – Alumni, in which we hear from recent MBA graduates about how b-school prepared them for the next phase of their careers. Brian Khorshad joined Bain & Co. after graduating from Chicago Booth in 2020. Bain was founded in 1973 and employs nearly 12,000 people across 63 offices in 38 countries. As an MBB consulting firm, they advise global and company leaders on issues including private equity investments, mergers and acquisitions, corporate strategy, finance, operations and more. Read on for how Read more
Published: June 21, 2021
Real Humans of General Mills: Steve Cheng, Cornell Johnson ‘18, Associate Brand Manager
For many MBA students, participating in an internship can be an eye-opening experience that can help pinpoint likes and dislikes, develop professional aptitude, increase marketability, and more. Beyond internships, the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell University takes this one step further with its unique immersion program for performance learning. This learning model includes an intense, hands-on semester of integrated course and fieldwork in a specific industry or career interest, giving students applied knowledge in a chosen field, premier networking opportunities, and even preferred Read more

MBA Applywire

9
November 20, 2024 9:42pm ET
Applying: Babson / Olin, , Carnegie Mellon / Tepper, Emory / Goizueta, Rice / Jones, Rochester / Simon, SMU Cox, UCI Merage, Washington U. / Olin
Intake Year: 2025
Pre-MBA Career: Technology - Entrepreneurship
Post-MBA Target Industry: Consulting, Technology, Entrepreneurship
GRE: 333
GPA: 2.56
Years of Work Experience: 5
Location: Lagos
Notes:

I just got rejected for WashU Olin and I have an interview invitation with Questrom. GPA continues to bother me but I addressed it in my supporting essays.
11
November 19, 2024 12:51pm ET
Applying: Berkeley / Haas, Cornell / Johnson, Dartmouth / Tuck, Duke / Fuqua, INSEAD, Michigan / Ross, MIT Sloan, Northwestern / Kellogg, U. Chicago Booth, UPenn / Wharton, Yale SOM
Intake Year: 2025
Pre-MBA Career: Tech in government
Post-MBA Target Industry: Consulting, Entrepreneurship Companies: Bain , McKinsey
GRE: 319
GPA: 2.9
Years of Work Experience: 7
Notes:

I got cancer when I was undergrad that's why my undergrad GPA is low. After MBA I want to work in consulting then make a social impact in Africa through entrepreneurship
10
November 19, 2024 12:06pm ET
Applying: Duke / Fuqua, Harvard Business School, Michigan / Ross, Northwestern / Kellogg, Stanford GSB, U. Chicago Booth, U. Washington / Foster, UNC Kenan-Flagler, UT Austin / McCombs, UVA / Darden
Pre-MBA Career: Wealth Management and Military
Post-MBA Target Industry: Consulting, Asset Management, inc. HF, Other Companies: Bain , BCG , Deloitte , McKinsey , Goldman Sachs , JP Morgan Asset Management , State Street , Vanguard
GPA: 3.80
Years of Work Experience: 7
Location: San Diego
Post MBA Location: Chicago, Seattle, Minneapolis, Charlotte
Notes:

UG Degree: BBA Financial Markets at an Accredited Institution.

Civilian Work History: 3 years as Wealth Advisor under an RIA in Minneapolis and Denver. Total AUM of ~$350-400M, served as a salaried advisor in a primary and secondary capacity. Holistic services to include investment management, estate planning, retirement planning, insurance planning, tax planning, etc.

Military History: 4 years as a supply/logistics officer heading efforts for air/ground mobility, defense contracting, supply and procurement, and fiscal budget management while located at various bases within CONUS and multiple forward deployed locations.

Professional Certifications: Obtained Certified Financial Planner designation (2022) and Series 65 (2019).
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November 18, 2024 12:50am ET
Applying: Columbia, Dartmouth / Tuck, Duke / Fuqua, Emory / Goizueta, NYU Stern, UNC Kenan-Flagler, Yale SOM
Intake Year: 2025
Pre-MBA Career: Consulting
Post-MBA Target Industry: Investment Banking Companies: Bank of America , Barclays , Citibank , Credit Suisse , Goldman Sachs , JP Morgan Chase
GRE: 323
GPA: 3.32
Years of Work Experience: 7
Notes:

Education:
- Combined Major in Economics and Statistics
- CFA Charterholder (passed all three levels on the first attempt)

Professional Experience:
- Manager at a Big 4 firm Specializing in capital projects and infrastructure, with a role similar to investment banking
- Seven years of experience, mainly in financial services in Ghana

Extracurricular Activities:
- Pro bono capital-raising services for SMEs
- Aspiring to run a full advisory firm for SMEs in the future
- CFA exam coaching and tutorial classes for candidates
- Founder of a travel and tour club offering affordable trips to explore beautiful and historic scenes in Ghana

Will being 32 years old affect the attractiveness of my candidacy?
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November 17, 2024 9:24am ET
Applying: Columbia, , Georgetown / McDonough, Harvard Business School, INSEAD, NYU Stern, Oxford / Saïd, Stanford GSB, UCLA Anderson, Yale SOM
Pre-MBA Career: Higher Education
Post-MBA Target Industry: Consulting, Technology, Investment Banking, Venture Capital, Private Equity, Media, Undecided Companies: Bain , BCG , McKinsey , JP Morgan , Morgan Stanley , JP Morgan Chase , Apple , Google , Microsoft , Andressen Horowitz , Charles River , Sequoia Capital , Blackstone , KKR , 21st Century Fox , Comcast , Walt Disney
GPA: 3.97
Years of Work Experience: 5
Location: Denver, Colorado
Post MBA Location: New York City
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MBA LiveWire

November 23, 2024 7:37am ET
Accepted to NYU Stern
Round: Round 1
Received via portal on November 21, 2024
GPA: 6.42
GMAT: 760
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Technology
Application Location: India
November 23, 2024 12:41am ET
Accepted to SMU Cox
Round: Round 1
Received via email November 22, 2024
GPA: 3.6
GRE: 331
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Marketing
Application Location: Delta, Nigeria
November 22, 2024 11:09pm ET
Accepted to NYU Stern
Round: Round 1
Received via portal November 22, 2024
GPA: 3.65
Program Type: One Year Program
Target Career: Technology
Application Location: NY
Note:

Submitted on 9/1, interview invite on 10/8, interviewed on 10/30. No phone call but portal updated on 11/22 around 1pm est. No scholarship..
November 22, 2024 8:42pm ET
Accepted to SMU Cox
Round: Round 1
Received via phone November 22, 2024
GPA: 3.9
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Consulting
Application Location: Mississippi
November 22, 2024 8:34pm ET
Rejected at SMU Cox
Round: Round 1
Received via portal on November 21, 2024
GPA: 3.89/4
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Target Career: Consulting
Application Location: Asia
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