As a director of delivery for a global software company focused on health and safety, she’s building strong quantitative skills to enhance value created for customers as an Executive MBA student and scholarship winner at Booth’s Chicago campus.
A big part of it was that I love a challenge. I hadn’t studied math in an academic environment since secondary school, and I was looking for something quantitative to round out my background. Also, I wanted to maximize value in my current role, and I thought gaining additional resources would augment what I could bring to the company.
I gravitated toward the EMBA instead of the MBA because of the global network the Booth program offers. As so much of the degree is peer learning, the EMBA also provides a distinct advantage in that both you and your classmates end up bringing more experience to the table by being on average more career advanced.
One of the reasons I gravitated towards Booth is its strong quantitative reputation. Another aspect was the international network. At the University of Chicago, you get to meet and bond with students from all over North America, Europe, South Asia, and East Asia, and I love that. No matter where in the world you go, you will always find a fellow Boothie such that it truly expands your experience, opportunities, and your world view for the rest of your life. It was such a unique proposition that Booth became my only choice.
I’ve learned so much from my classmates. Just three months in, I see such a difference in the way that I think and the way I approach complex work problems. For example, there’s an area of our business that has a slightly different revenue structure than our core SaaS offering, and we're trying to maximize it. While I was in London for international week, I shared some ideas with classmates, and getting their feedback was pivotal. I’m now building a proposal based on their input.
I also love the study groups and have found them transformative academically, personally, and professionally. While we all come from very different backgrounds, we all share an underlying drive to do well—and for all of us to do well. We all bring something unique and valuable to the group such that we really teach each other. Not only have my groupmates been an integral part of my success in the program, but I’ve also made true friends I know I’ll have for the rest of my life.
If I could sum up the Booth experience in one word, I’d say “expansive.” I love to hear different points of view, and that’s what you get from this eclectic and talented mix of people. The experience is expanding my perspective and giving me insights that I can apply directly to my current role.
At the same time, Booth is also setting me up for whatever comes next. The company I work for is private equity owned and ultimately plans to exit, at which point I’ll want to begin my next opportunity in a startup or build something new. What I’m learning here about how to create value effectively and with win-win solutions has been pivotal for both my current role and future goals.
One thing I would suggest is visiting the campus in person. Before I applied, I attended a lecture on campus and met some of the current students, and that helped solidify that Booth was the right place for me.
I would also say that the program is academically rigorous. There’s a big time commitment, and trying to fit in studying after a long day of working in a higher-responsibility role can certainly test your discipline. But if you love to learn, as I do, it will definitely be worth it and transform you as a person in the best sense. The people who thrive here are people who love that academic rigor, love to learn, and love a challenge.
I was so honored and so incredibly grateful for the scholarship. It’s especially meaningful because alumni choose the beneficiaries. I remember it was such an exciting and beautiful moment when I found out. I’m also paying for most of the degree myself, and having that extra coverage made a huge difference.