With a background in chemical engineering, I worked in oil & gas post-undergrad at ExxonMobil where I did process engineering on the chemicals side, helping to make plastics. I really liked engineering but wanted something more strategic and high-level at the intersection of energy and industrials, with a tie-in to sustainability (an area I'm passionate about). Coming to Chicago Booth was a way to help me pivot, while exploring different industry interests. The flexible curriculum and amazing community helped me gain insight into areas I didn't know about. Since I had only worked for one company in my career, I also wanted to try a wealth of opportunities to branch out more. And that's definitely what Booth has allowed me to do, like working for a Latin American solar energy start-up as part of Startup Summer, a private equity firm through the PE/VC Lab, and in my summer internship in consulting.
Something that Harry Davis said at a Booth event really stuck with me: create pauses for yourself. It's often easy to get on a grind and just execute, but by creating pauses I have been able to self-reflect better and make decisions that are more intentional.
The pay-it-forward culture. I recruited for consulting last summer before Booth was even in session; nonetheless, many Boothies offered to connect and help me prepare for interviews or other events.
This student group has been an integral part of my MBA experience. Even before I started my first year, HABSA provided support while I was doing pre-MBA early recruiting for consulting. The casing resources and conversations with HABSA members that had gone through consulting recruiting before were invaluable in helping me land internships in that field. HABSA has also been a chance for me to find community within Booth, including with folks that came from similar backgrounds as me in a place where we are often underrepresented. The friendships have gone a long way toward making Booth feel like home!
Last year, around the first few weeks of class, we had a retreat together with AAMBAA and the Booth Africa Club. It was a very casual event to get to know the Booth community. The community really showed up, and it was really fun to meet everyone and know folks early in the program. The event led to a lot of good friends and connections that were critical for me in my first year.
Hispanic Heritage Month is a chance to celebrate a community that is often very underrepresented and undervalued. I love being able to celebrate Hispanic culture and share more about it with my peers.
Read about Michelle’s journey as a career switcher, as she optimized her MBA to pursue a career in people and organizational development.
Catching Up with Michelle Kim Cullen, '19
Are you looking to gift yourself or someone else with a book this holiday season? Check out what books our first-year students recommend for prospective students.
Gift Yourself a Book This Holiday Season: Recommendations for Future MBA Students
In partnership with Forté, Chicago Booth awards Forté Fellowships to candidates who exhibit exemplary leadership, represent diverse backgrounds, and demonstrate a commitment to advancing the interest of women in business.
Spotlight On: Forté Fellowship