Chicago Women in Business Alumnae Network (CWIBAN)
The University of Chicago Booth School of Business
The University of Chicago Booth School of Business
Meet Sue Warshal, '04, whose career has focused on health care. Trained as a clinical psychologist, she earned her MBA to move into management and now is the director of a non-profit in the mental health field. Here Sue answers a few questions for CWIBAN about her experiences.
Q: What was your background before coming to Booth?
As a clinical psychologist, I was a non-traditional business school applicant. I had never taken a business class before attending Booth (known as GSB back in my day).
Q: Why did you choose to get an MBA? What did you get out of the experience?
Although I enjoyed the clinical aspect of psychology, I always had an interest in management and administration within the healthcare field. However, I didn’t have the formal business background. An MBA enabled me to learn core business and financial skills, while incorporating my interest in the healthcare field.
Q: Where did you head after graduation from Booth? What steps did you take to get to the career you have now?
My first job after business school was as a healthcare consultant, working within large hospital systems and academic medical centers. I was exposed to the operations and strategic planning of top medical organizations around the country. When I tired of the weekly travel, I obtained a mid-level management position at a national healthcare organization headquartered in New York City. Now I’m the Executive Director of a small non-profit within the mental health field. It’s a dream job for me, since I’m able to incorporate my business and psychology backgrounds. But I wouldn’t have been prepared for this position without my experiences within the larger corporate world of healthcare, which wouldn’t have been possible without the MBA.
Q: What advice do you have for students and fellow alumnae interested in pursuing a career in the non-profit world?
It’s vital to connect with the mission of the non-profit, not just the non-profit aspect of the organization. Most important is to gain experience in that mission, even if it’s from the for-profit world. In fact, experiences from for-profit organizations can positively influence many of the operations of a non-profit. If you feel passionate and have experience around the mission, the non-profit world will embrace the business perspective you bring.
Q: How has networking or mentorship impacted your career?
In particular, I am involved in networking groups geared towards professional women in non-profit. These women tend to be passionate about their chosen profession, as well as successful in business. I learn that these two are not mutually exclusive, which inspires me to strive for excellence within my own organization.
To contact Sue, feel free to email her. Thank you, Sue!
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Meet Chicago Booth alumna Terri Lydon, '05, whose career in marketing has spanned from traditional corporations to start-ups. Her love of the dynamic atmosphere at new and growing businesses led to her current role at PromoAid. She also values the time it gives her with her family. Here Terri answers a few questions for CWIBAN about her experiences.
Q: What was your background before coming to Booth?
A: Immediately after college, I was hired by NAVTEQ (then Navigation Technologies, now a part of Nokia) in Industry Relations. It was a smaller company, on the cutting edge of developing navigable maps based on GPS. It was a very exciting time to be in that industry, and I loved the ever-changing dynamic of my job and the company. After 2 years, I became one of the inaugural members of the marketing team. Working with outside agencies reignited my desire to work in a more marketing-oriented atmosphere, so I made the move to work in advertising.
I took a job as an account executive at a small agency and got to work on accounts like the YMCA, the Museum of Science and Industry, the Chicago White Sox, and Advocate Health Care. Working in advertising was a great way to learn about developing a marketing strategy to leverage how different consumers think and interact with brands, which led me back full circle to wanting to have a brand to own. In order to fully understand brand management, and to round out my education with the financial and quantification assets needed to be a successful brand manager, I knew I needed to get my MBA from the top financial and leading marketing school.
Q: Why did you choose Chicago Booth? What did you get out of the experience?
A: I chose Booth because my background was focused in marketing – my undergraduate degree and entire resume was all centered in marketing and "soft" skills. To prove myself and my quant skills to potential employers, to myself, and to any future investors, there was no better choice than Booth. I was honestly nervous when I started, and was not sure about taking classes like Econ and Investments at this world-renowned institution. But then I met the professors. Incredible. I still prefer the "softer" side of things, but thanks to my time at Booth I am comfortable and confident putting on my quant jock hat.
Q: Where did you head after graduation from Booth? Tell us about how your career progressed and how you got to where you are now.
A: While at Booth, I interned at Kraft and accepted a full time position upon graduation. I had never worked at an established company, and felt it was important to continue my education by utilizing all I had learned at Booth in a formal brand management position. When deciding where to go post-Kraft, I examined my experiences prior to, at, and post Booth. It became clear to me what I like and what I wanted to do. I like the ever-changing, fly-by-the-seat-of-your pants atmosphere of a start-up or small organization. That is where I thrive. And, now I was equipped to introduce structure and discipline into that kind of environment. So that was my next move – I joined a start-up called PromoAid and was the 2nd employee back in 2008.
Q: Introduce us to what you do every day. What does a typical day look like for you?
A: Every day is different, and that's how I like it. At a small company, there are no set roles. Yes, there are job descriptions written down, but there are also hundreds of things to get done that don't fall under anyone's specific function. And we get them done. Let's take yesterday – I revised the website to reflect a new service we're launching, edited a press release, word-smithed a couple of emails for our CEO, reported a broken door to our building management, and conducted the 3rd quarter review of our database manager to ensure he's on track to reach his annual goals. And, last Friday my day looked completely different.
Q: How does your work impact your personal life? What would you like to share about your home life and interests?
Home life is very important to me. I am married with 2 kids, and I want to see my family as much as possible, every day. Being at a start-up and now early-stage company, I have the flexibility to be home for breakfast in the morning and also be home in the evenings with my kids. Of course there are downsides (lower pay, lack of stability, working later at night if needed) but these are far outweighed by the benefits.
To contact Terri, feel free to email her. Thank you, Terri!
